Resting now with some closing thoughts

I have been meaning to create one more post for a few days but I have found that I am not in the state of mind to be "working".  Good thing really, my soul wishes to be at rest.  We have been in Madrid now for three days and have been shopping and seeing the sights.  The palace real is beyond opulent.  The palace is the prototype for all things opulent and spainish.   Madrid itself is quite something, most buildings are public art.  The guide books tell you to look up because many buildings have statues and cravings on the roof and walls.   

The shopping is quite something and I have been relaxed enough to just wander and let it happen.   Yesterday we went to open air market, the largest in Spain.   Clothing was purchased.     

Before we left Santiago we attended the pilgrims mass.  We took our own advise and sat down 45 minutes early to assure we had a seat.    It was amazing that at 11:55 people would come to the front and look for seating.  Really did they think that there would empty seats five minutes before the start at the front?   They often looked surprised.   The mass, of course, was in spainish and I only caught a few words here and there.  I was able to watch closely the priests manner of preaching since I understood little of what he said.  It was an interesting exercise.   The liturgy for the mass itself was easier for me since I knew which part was next. I yearned to go forward and recieve but non Roman Catholics weren't premitted to recieve.  

There was two observations I gained from the expereince.  One was how foriegn worship seems to someone with no exeperience of the church,   It must be like listening in a language you don't know.  When do you stand, when do you sit, do you go forward to partake....     However, my second point is this, at the end of the service the priest stepped outside the liturgy to offer a blessing to the pilgrims.   He turned to his many colleges behind him and ask them to raise their hands in a blessing as well.  It was an authentic moment and nearly moved me to tears.  Suddenly I felt included and I could feel the true desire to bless.  The church puts up barriers of language and behaviour that may cause many folks to feel shy and detached but an authentic moment can still reach through all social barriers.  

The chancel, from our best seats in the place.  

One interesting aspect of the Cathedral in Santiago is that it has a Celtic flavour.  Swills and curves.  Looking closely at the columns I noticed spirals of colours.  Also there far less emphasize on the crucifixion.   There were few pictures or sculptures of Jesus on the cross.  

Notice in the above picture that the Crosses on the top of the cathedral.  They bare. 

But as I indicated above we are now in Madrid. We have visited the royal palace, the Cathedral, the Zoo, and the park with the crystal palace,  Oh and the shopping district and the open air market.   I suppose you may think I am going to make a comparison between the commercialism of the City to the spirituality of the Camino.  It certianly is there and would offer a rich source of commentary, however, that is too easy a target. Rather what stuck me was the historical opulence of the city.  The royal palace was mostly created in the time of Ferdinand and Isobel and it out shown the cathedral and the rest of Spain.  It is reflective of the immense wealth being taken from the Americas.  Beyond the glitter and extravagance is the multitude of personal glorification.  Throughout the City there are statues of historical figures often on horses towering over the square below.   Ego seemed to, have ruled the world, particularly when there was an abundance of wealth.

 Yet all this ego and wealth left a city full of amazing public art.  In Madrid one most keep one eyes up to see the art on the buildings. 

This was in the middle of the park just because.   It was blazing hot day. 

The below image is from the staircase in the palace, we weren't premitted to take photos in the main rooms of the palace. 

But enough of this rambling.  We have had five days in Madrid and at first we thought this was too much time but now I feel that it is good to be very ready to return home to the busyness and the familar. Even if that familar is new and requires set up as it does for us.  We know that more time before September beginnings would only have meant more planning, more fussing and more work.  With less time to get organized then the work is less for the same accomplishments.  We return to a move, an ailing loved one, two or three grant applications, September start up at the church, plans for a special joint worship with our neighbouring congregations, a major renovation project at the church, the need for a stewardship and capital drive, and a have in my heart a deeper passion for an authentic ministry particularly in spiritual healing and a deep desire to see my people.  

The trip has been a blessing and I sure has changed me in ways I have yet to discover.   Peace to all.