Water

When planning our pilgrim walk along the Via Francigena to Rome, I looked at the average temperatures for Tuscany in early to mid-June and determined that this would be a good time to make the trip. It most years, it seemed, the really hot days occur in July and August. By the third day of our walk, however, it was clear that June of 2012 was an exception. Each day, the temperature rose a bit more, until it settled in the high 90’s. This meant getting up earlier in the morning to begin our walk. Even more importantly, it meant that we needed more water than we were able to carry in our backpacks, and that it was led us into many encounters with homeowners, shopkeepers, innkeepers, farmers, gardeners, and anyone else who looked like they might be able to help us stay hydrated. In short, the need for water led us into relationships. The same was true whenever we arrived at one of the historic water “fountains” that had been placed along the path for pilgrims. Shortly after we took off our backpacks and sat in the shade near one of these water sources, a group of Italian pilgrims arrived and engaged us in lively conversation. When one of them heard we were from Washington, he said: “Oh, I am going to Olympia next month.” As we were taking pictures together, a couple from Belgium came walking up and joined the expanding group of fellow pilgrims. We learned that they were not only on their way to Rome, but ultimately to Jerusalem, which they to hoped reach by Christmas. More pictures were taken and more email addresses exchanged, along with links to blogs that several of us were posting. The time together was short, but it was enough to feel very connected with one another. For people who belong to religious traditions that baptize with water, this should sound familiar. In my own tradition, we say that baptism is all about relationships. The font is a gathering place, like that font along the Via Francigena, and our baptism is a rite of welcome into community with others. It isn’t just about our relationship with God but with the whole people of God. It was nice to have that image renewed for me as I continued my journey on the road to Rome.