St. James' Day

This morning I did not have to rush because I was only going to walk about 6 miles. Instead of waking before the sun was up I had a chance to stroll the streets of Pamplona and enjoy a nice breakfast with Bernard. We were talking about the different people on the Camino and how they approach others.

Sunrise in Pamplona

Some people continue to live as if they are in competition with the other pilgrims on the trail. They try to be first in to a town or hostel. They always want the bottom bunk. They try to top other people's stories. It seems to come back to the difference between people who live out of fear and those who love without condition.

About this time our waiter, who had seemed to ignore us up to this point, came up to our table and said in perfect English, "If I listen to your lies, what would you say? Loving would be easy if your colors were like my dream."

Breakfast with Marc and Bernard

Waiter at Breakfast

Cathedral in Pamplona

Evidently our waiter is a big fan of Boy George. The song he was speaking to us was "Karma Chameleon." It was a rather humorous accent mark on our conversation. About the same time the bells of the Cathedral starting ringing indicating the 15 minute warning before Mass and so we quickly paid our bill and headed to Church.

The Gospel at Mass was Matthew 20: 20-28. James and John have their mother ask Jesus for places of honor for them at his right and left hand in the kingdom.

They did eventually receive places of honor, but as martyrs. To be the least and the last is not easy. It requires great love.