The Iron Cross
As we near the end of our Lenten pilgrimage, there is one last project — that stone I asked you to find, back in the first week of Lent.
If you found one and have carried it with you, it’s time now to let it go. On the Camino de Santiago, there is a famous road marker located between the towns of Foncebadón and Manjarín. On a hilltop — the highest point on the French pilgrimage route to Santiago — there is a tall pillar with an iron cross (Cruz de Ferro) mounted on it. At the base of the pillar is a massive mound of stones, brought to the site, one by one, by pilgrims on the camino.
Legend has it that a cathedral was being built nearby, and the Catholic church asked for pilgrims to bring stones to help with the construction project. Long after the cathedral was built pilgrims continued to bring stones as a spiritual symbol of their journey with God. Having carried their stone for mile-upon-mile, they prayerfully lay the stone at the foot of the cross.
These past 39 days, we’ve journeyed together, conversed with companions, prayed, and reflected together. This moment, however, is for you alone.
What does the stone symbolize for you? What burden do you leave at the cross? What is this stone that will soon be rolled away?
Rev. Dr. David Chisham
© 2021 All rights reserved.
Thanks so much for this series, David. I must confess that in all my years of trying to complete Lenten or Advent devotional series, this is first I have done each day and actually got to the end. Each has been meaningful in some way and I looked forward to opening the selection each day. I have kept all the devotionals and plan to go back to them. In addition, my traveling companion has told me several times how much she is/was enjoying the daily readings and thanked me for inviting her along.