“…when I go to Spain…”
Romans 15:24
Our tickets and itinerary arrived. We are counting down the days for our trip to Spain.
We were in Spain when Covid hit and had to fly home early and then comply with stay-at-home orders. This will be our first trip since the pandemic. We visited the western side of the Mediterranean coast last time, and this time we will be on the eastern side.
The Apostle Paul wanted to travel to Spain. He mentions this in his letter to the Church in Rome, written about 57 A.D. “But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there… So after I have completed this task… I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.” (Romans 15:23-28)
Paul felt that he had completed his missionary work in much of the Roman empire. It is estimated that he travelled at least 10,000 kilometres, proclaiming the message of the risen Christ in regions and cities of the empire. Paul saw Spain as an opportunity to continue his mission. On his way there he would visit the church in Rome.
It is not certain that Paul actually made it to Spain. There are those who believe he did and
those who think he did not. Paul sent Phoebe, a deacon from the church in Cenchreae, with the letter to the Roman Christians. It’s possible that she also went to Spain to prepare for Paul’s arrival. There is a tradition that James preached the gospel in Spain about twenty years before Paul.
Just how the church was started in Spain seems to be shrouded in mystery. But by the time of Irenaeus (c 130 – c 202 AD), writing from Lyons in France, the church of Christ was well established in Spain.
We are looking forward to our visit to Spain. Our itinerary includes visiting the Sagrada Família, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926). Under construction since March 19, 1882, Sagrada Familia has been designated a minor basilica and world heritage site. We are also going to participate in Saint Jordi’s Day, also known as The Day of Books and Roses. In Calella, there will be tables lining the streets with books and roses to give to your sweetheart. That will be a fun day. Maybe I will find a book that explores discipleship from a Spanish slant.