And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’. Isaiah 30:21

The Camino pilgramage is a parable of discerning God’s will. Walking the 800 km across Northern Spain on the ancient Camino de Santiago meant daily following the yellow arrows/pilgrim shells embedded into walls or pavements or splashed onto boulders.

Bewilderingly, the path disappeared—but I found it hiding in a dip or around a bend. Uneasiness warned I’d missed something: I turned back to find what went wrong. I asked for help. Then–a reassuring yellow arrow appeared!  Occasionally, a forked road invited personal preference: either route ultimately ended in the same place. I took turns I feared were wrong but arrived where I was supposed to be. After two months, I stood before the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, Comforter, Guide: whether I’m aware of it or not, you are leading me. Quiet me when I can’t see a way ahead. Slow me down so I don’t miss the signs of your presence. Help me relax into the way you are taking me…especially when I have no idea where that may be. Amen.

Deaconess Janet Alcántara, Tlaxcala, Mexico