I mark my 22nd anniversary as a cancer survivor today (August 30). It so happened that it is also the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Spent the day traveling by train from Santiago, where we had just completed 119km of walking the Way of St. James from Tui on Friday, to Madrid, to Alicante, to Elche, where lovely daughter lives and works.
The Lord has truly been gracious to this woman of little faith, who thought she would not live after being diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer (it spread to the bone and lymph nodes).
Indeed, as Jesus says in today's gospel, 'You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.' For when I thought I was at my end, He made a path for me to continue.
Every single day is a gift, new and undeserved. Relying solely on God's mercy, I wander about knowing only love (not purpose, but love).
The priest at St. James Cathedral told me the Lord sees our efforts to be perfect like our Father, though we stumble and fall--often.
And so as in today's psalm: 'Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name...You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me.'
Grateful for a successful Camino de Santiago journey (save for a couple of blisters on my toes, the plantar fasciitis and knee tears held up), fellow pilgrims who are the kindest and most encouraging, sister and daughter who completed the walk with our party, rain and sunshine, delicious Galician food everywhere, home cooked food whenever possible, and the last 22 years, surviving the death of my husband, another cancer (in the other breast), ultra processed food and artificial everything, 2 Caminos (via French and Portuguese routes), counting daily on the Lord's steadfast love.
I echo my daughter's prayer yesterday, after she and I split driving duties between Santiago and Finisterre (encountering heavy rains, heavy fog, low visibility, slippery roads, and seeing absolutely none of the attractions save for the 0,000 marker): 'Salamat, Lord, buhay pa kami!'
