About a thousand years ago, when Latin was still in vogue, Ultreia et Suseia became a greeting used by pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. One traveler greeted another with the single word Ultreia! The fellow pilgrim responded with et Suseia!
Further and Higher!
The phrase Ultreia et Suseia formed a message of encouragement for fellow pilgrims, urging each other to persevere both physically and spiritually. The expression encapsulates the essence of pilgrimage, reminding travelers to overcome challenges and strive for greater heights.
I’m reminded of CS Lewis’s book The Last Battle, when characters urge each other to move further up and further in. Mr. Tumnus declares, The further up and the further in you go, the bigger everything gets. The inside is larger than the outside. So it is with the kingdom of God—the inside is larger than the outside.
David praised the Lord for enabling him to go further and higher: He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.
Our true pilgrimage lasts until we meet Jesus face-to-face. Perhaps we should ask the Lord for the feet of a deer? For the energy and sure-footedness to follow Him further and higher on our journey?
One thing for sure, as we face steep hills and hot days, a little support goes a long way. Let’s encourage each other to love, and let’s not grow weary in doing good. Whether in Latin or English or any other language, we can root each other on to go further and higher.
Psalm 18:33
Wall painting from the Camino de Santiago
Been loving your pilgrimage posts!! Thank you!