Day 088d: Sitting with the resident Saint … (July 11, 2019)
The “vibe” in this beautiful town had been just a bit “off” ever since my arrival – not at all related to the wonderful interactions I was blessed to share with so many of my fellow pilgrims, but more related to there being no clear Task at hand – no clear thing for me to DO – no clear place or way for me to be of Service while here. Remaining in one place as a Peace Pilgrim is all fine & good, of course, and yet it is important for us to somehow find a way to “Walk the Way” for others, especially in those times when we are not actually doing any walking. And so I was sitting in Hontanas’ central courtyard, wondering what I might Do for others here while waiting for tonight’s presentation to begin, when Emma told me that Father Fran from the church wanted to see me. At last! I was going to be given an opportunity to be an active representation of The Way! Finally I was going to be able to Do Something for others nearby! And yet when I arrived at the hostel attached to the church – a donativo residence* run by Father Fran for any all in need, pilgrim & non-pilgrim alike – it turns out that Father Fran simply wanted to show me my own room therein (should I ever wish to stay there) and offer me 24-hour access to all the food he had stored in the refuge’s massive pantry. After humbly thanking him for the graciousness of the same, I mentioned that it was my hope & intention to be of some service to him &/or others while in town, and yet he calmly told me that there was nothing needed from me at the time, and then he went on his holy way.** And so it was that I purposefully did not take any food from the pantry or accept his offer of residence, eating only from an already-opened bag of potato chips on the table before myself heading back to Emma’s hostel along my own way just as merry …
“And this is what you shall do: Love the Earth and honor all Her nonhuman residents, reject all riches (except those given to those in greater need), give alms to anyone who asks, stand up for the less intelligent, the less powerful, and any deemed unworthy or crazy, devote your labor fully to others, abhor and denounce all tyrants & corrupted leaders, argue never concerning the nature or existence of God, have patience towards all friends, show kindness to all strangers, and evince forgiveness for all enemies, re-examine all you have read or been told at home or school or church and fully dismiss whatever therein that insults your Soul … Do these things and your very life shall become a great poem.” ~ inspired by Walt Whitman
*Father Fran Marcos
Calle Iglesia 01
09277 Hontanas
Burgos Spain
**It is my gentle-yet-firm belief that there indeed “saints” among us in this world – men & women who have fully abdicated their own wants & needs in favor of solely serving their fellow humans (&/or animal cousins). There is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that Father Fran is one such noble man …
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