One of the great treasures for many who walk the Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) is its sense of community. We instantly become part of the storyline and the legacy of thousands who have walked before us. It’s a tight community, warm and welcoming. It spurs a question as the walk comes to an end, “How can we continue this back home?”  Good question. Over the next few weeks, I’ll write some of my reflections on it. Here is the first.

One thing that draws us together is a common goal. Regardless of where we’ve come from, we’re all walking the same direction – westward, to Santiago de Compostela. That gives us instant rapport and a reason to introduce ourselves to one another. Our conversation has a starting point – generally. Where are you from? Are you walking all the way to Santiago? From there it grows.

How does that work back home? I’m reminded of a story my friend Rudy shared many years ago. He and his neighbor shared a weak, rickety old fence separating their back yards. When he was outside, he and the neighbor often ended up standing at that fence, discussing how much longer they think it will hold up and that they should replace it soon. That quickly turned into talk about their families, the neighborhood, world affairs and more. Then one day they fixed the fence. Rudy grew to regret it. He and the neighbor no longer gathered at the fence line. There was no reason to. They no longer had a shared goal. There was nothing to instigate a conversation. It was a real loss.

So what happens when we don’t have a shared destination or rickety old fence in common? Sometimes a neighborhood issue can fill that role – developing a Neighborhood Watch program, or joining together to get a tree removed- or to get it preserved. Those activities can be prompts to bring us closer together. Other times, we just have to dig deep and reach out. Sometimes we have to go beyond our shyness and the routine of isolation that we’ve fallen into.

I experienced that recently. A few new families have moved into our neighborhood. So three of us couples decided to host a neighborhood barbecue. We delivered invitations door to door, and waited. I wasn’t sure if anyone would show up. But they did! About 20 individuals came and brought side dishes, happy expectations and smiles. We all had such a great time getting to know one another, and it ended with talk about how soon we can do it again.

I think everyone wants connection. It is experienced strongly on the Camino, but can be so easily lost back home. I think if we want to live that Camino sense of community, it’s on us. We just need to take a few steps outside of our comfort zone to initiate a warm welcome to newcomers, a brief conversation with those we so quickly pass every day, and a sincere interest in our neighbors. We need commitment mixed with determination. Maybe it’s the same kind of commitment that kept us walking day after day on our pilgrim trail. Maybe instead of missing what we so cherished on the Camino, we’re being called to bring it home with us. Maybe.

Do you feel connected? Do you experience community? Can you be a catalyst to create it?