The Week that Changed the World Part I

I have returned to Rome, but I want to share with you some of the highlights of our last week in the Holy Land.

Holy Week celebrates our faith in its most concentrated form. The essence of what we believe and who we are is captured in the events of that week and the Scriptures that recall them. Our time in Jerusalem allowed us to walk through the events of this most holy week.

We start on the Mount of Olives at the Church of the Pater Noster where Jesus taught his followers how to pray. The Mount of Olives, even in Jesus' time, was a graveyard and the place where the unclean lived.

People, who because of illness or other reasons that made them ritually impure, were not allowed to come into the city and would have been restricted to this area. None of the Pharisees or Scribes of the Law would have ever visited them for fear of becoming unclean themselves. Jesus came to those whom nobody considered worthy of teaching and taught them how to pray to God as "Abba" Daddy.

The Church that is built on this site has The Lord's Prayer written in almost every language known to man. Two of the priests (left) in our group are from New Zealand and they were excited to find the Lord's Prayer written in Maori, which is the native language of New Zealand.




I was equally excited to find the Lord's prayer written in Cherokee, but it was also written in the language of the Samaritans, the Basque separatists of northern Spain, Gaelic, Ojibway and even Sanskrit (see above). It seems that there is no land that cannot use these words to pray.




Assisting us at Mass in the Church of the Pater Noster was a nun who knew St. Therese of Lisieux's older sister. (Right) She has spent the last 50 years in the Holy Land welcoming pilgrims and inviting them to reflect on the words of this prayer.


It was also from the Mount of Olives where Jesus began his triumphal entry to Jerusalem that we recall on Palm Sunday. As Jesus approached the city from the east with the rising sun, there would have been great expectation that the Messiah had come to free the people from the oppression of Roman rule. He would have walked through the Kidron valley (below) to approach the gates of Jerusalem.

Kidron Valley

Instead of overthrowing Roman rule, Jesus invited his Apostles to join him in the upper room (below) of a Roman Tavern for a meal.

The Upper Room at Last Supper

He washed their feet and shared with them his body and blood.


This was the same room where the Lord appeared to his disciples after his resurrection and where St. Thomas declared, "My Lord and My God" after seeing Jesus risen from the dead.

From here we crossed back over the Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed with his disciples that he might not have to undergo the suffering of the Cross.

Garden of Gethsemane

After Jesus was arrested in the Garden, he was taken by the soldiers across the valley to the house of Caiaphas the High Priest.

It was in the courtyard of this house that Peter denied that he even knew Jesus.

Icon of Peter Denying Jesus with Rooster

Statue of Peter's Denial

We celebrated Mass in the courtyard where Peter denied Jesus and recalled the times when we have denied Jesus in our own words and actions.

Altar at the Courtyard of Denial

The penitential act that we recite together at the beginning of Mass was especially meaningful this day.

"I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do..."




Peace and Goodness,

FD

Christmas in October

Wall of Jerusalem

Christmas in October is not another marketing attempt to reduce Christmas to shopping. Today we traveled through the Israeli security barrier wall (above) from Jerusalem so we could enter the majority Christian city of Bethlehem.

Cave of St. Jerome

We celebrated Mass in the cave of St. Jerome (right) who decided to take up residence next to the place where Jesus was born. As we were preparing to celebrate Mass, a group of pilgrims from Mexico asked if they could join us. It was a couple who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by their children. It was a joy to have them pray with us.

We dedicated the Mass to expectant mothers and parents of young children.

We also prayed for peace. Bethlehem is being strangled by the "security barrier" that surrounds it. The people who live in town are mostly Christians but they cannot leave Bethlehem to work in the rest of the country because they cannot get permission to pass through the fence.  Most of the young people are leaving for other countries so that they can work and feed their families.

It is predicted that there will be no Christians left in the town where Jesus was born by the year 2020.

St. Jerome and Jesus

Chapel at St. Jerome

Fundamentalist Muslims who are financially backed by Saudi Arabia are buying the property of the Christian families.  In the last two years a large mosque was built across Manger Square from the Church of the Nativity. While we were inside Church praying, loud speakers aimed at the Church were blasting the chants and prayers of the Imam.

The Holy Land is a place most in need of our prayers for peace and it challenges us to seek peace in our own communities so that our own divisions do not destroy us.


Peace and Goodness,

FD

Water of Life

Replica of Jesus' Boat

Today was about water. Living water and dead water and deserts without water.

We started our day with a visit to the Jesus Boat Museum where we saw a model of the type of boat that Peter, James and John would have used as fisherman on the Sea of Galilee.

Then we were shown the ancient remains of a fishing boat that dates back to the time of Jesus. We also learned about their fishing technique. (See 1st century fishing boat remains below right.)

1st Century Fishing Boat Remains

No trip to the Jesus Boat Museum would be complete without a boat ride on a replica of the Jesus boat. We even took over our boat by raising the American flag.

Boat on the Sea of Gallilee

 

Father David in the Desert

The Sea of Galilee flows out to form the Jordan River which flows through the desert toward the Dead Sea and Jericho.  The primary difference between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea is the the Sea of Galilee flows out to give life to the desert. The Dead Sea does not flow out at all. It remains to itself and it gives life to nothing.   Because of this the salt content becomes so high that life cannot survive in the Dead Sea.  It is a great metaphor for our lives. The only way to really live is to flow out of our selves to give life to others. When we keep everything to ourselves and only live for our self we become dead.

Along the way from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea we drove into the desert on the border with Jordan to a spot close to where John the Baptist would have performed Baptisms.

Father David at the Jordan River

Jordan River

It is also near the ancient community of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.

Ancient Community of Qumran

Father David in Qumran

After visiting Qumran it was time to go for a swim and a mud bath in the Dead Sea.

Mud Baths in the Dead Sea

The mud of the Dead Sea (above) is known for being full of minerals and salts that are good for your skin. Also because the water is more than 30% salt you float very easily.  I took a swim and a mud bath. I have to say that the mud stings your skin a bit, but it sure feels great after you wash it off.

Finally, we left the water and drove through the desert to take the road from Jericho up to Jerusalem. In the desert you can lose up to 2 liters of water each hour from evaporation. It made me appreciate how precious water is to us. Baptism uses water as a symbol of death and life. Death to our selves and selfishness and life in God for others. Truly, it was a day of life and death.


Peace and Goodness,

FD

Can Anything Good Come from Nazareth?

This morning we visited Cana in Galilee where Jesus turned water into wine. It is also the home of Nathaniel, who was one of the twelve that was brought to Jesus by Phillip. (John 1:45-51) It was Nathaniel who when he first heard about Jesus asked, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?"


Not only did some good come from Nazareth, but something beyond our wildest imagination. It was like the wine at the wedding feast in Cana. The head waiter was surprised by the great quality of the wine that had been water. This is an image of the amazing things God can draw out of us when we, "Do whatever he tells you."(John 2:5)

Cana Church Sign

Father David in front of the altar at Cana Church

At Mass in the Church in Cana we prayed for all married couples and all couples who are preparing for marriage. In a special way we prayed in thanksgiving for our parents' marriages which have shaped us and shown us the generous love that allowed us to respond to God's call.

Front of the Church in Cana

After Cana we traveled to Nazareth to the Basilica of the Annunciation and St. Joseph's workshop.

Annunciation Church

Annunciation Church dome

The name "Nazareth" comes from a Hebrew word which means "to blossom". The dome of the Church of the Annunciation is built to resemble an upside down lily.









 

Grotto of Mary's House

Our guide explained that it is through Mary (who is sometimes called a lily) that the "Light of the World" passed through and became flesh on earth. The church has a lower level where the grotto of Mary's house has been preserved. The church is built over the top of where they believe Mary's house sat (left).


We gathered in the lower level to pray the joyful Mysteries of the rosary. We then had the opportunity to visit the rest of the upper basilica as well as the church of St. Joseph which is nearby. A few blocks away is the synagogue (see below) where Jesus first preached on the book of the prophet Isaiah. (Luke 4: 16-30).

Synagogue Icon

It was truly amazing to be able to walk through the streets of Jesus's hometown and visit the places that would have been an important part of his life.



As wonderful as the time in Nazareth was, you did not have to look hard to see the present tension between Islam and Christianity.

Islamic Sign

This sign was erected next to the Basilica of the Ascension as a challenge to anyone who did not follow Islam. Our guide has been teaching us words in Arabic and Aramaic each day of our trip. Today's word was Salaam which means peace.

After Nazareth we drove to the shore of the Mediterranean Sea where Mt. Carmel meets the Sea. Here we were able to enter the cave where the prophet Elijah hid after his confrontation with the prophets of Baal. (Below)

Elijah's Cave

This was the birthplace of the Carmelite order. In each location we have been able to read the scriptures that relate to that place and take time in prayer.

Father David in front of Elijah's Cave

Sunrise over the Sea of Galilee

It is hard to absorb all that we have seen in only one day. I cannot imagine what lies ahead...

Peace and Goodness,

Father David

Flat Stanley

I didn't realize I was going to be traveling to the Holy Land with a friend from home, but in my mail I found a great letter from Hildy in Ms. Shaffer's third grade class. Included with the letter was Flat Stanley.

I invited Flat Stanley to come with me to the Holy Land and he accepted so we will be traveling together. Luckily he doesn't take up much room so he can fit in my carry on luggage.

Fr. David Versus the Volcano

It has been a while since I have had the opportunity to sit still and update this blog. Classes have been very good and we have been covering topics such as St. Paul of Tarsus, Women Doctors in the Church, Moral Theology and ethics as well as studying the art, architecture and theology of the major basilicas of St. Peter, St. Paul outside the wall, St. John Lateran and St. Mary Major.

(Left: Coronation of Mary at St. Paul's Basilica)

(Right: Mary's Coronation at Saint Mary Major)

St. Paul's Basilica

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to take a break and travel to the island of Sicily with one of the priests that is participating in the Institute with me. Since we arrived in Catania, we were staring straight up at Mount Etna. Click here for the Mt. Etna description.

Fr. John Giel, who is the Vicar General from Orlando, and I rented a car and drove up the mountain. On the way up we were joking about how great it would be if there were a gondola ride over the volcano. As we pulled into the parking area we looked up to see gondolas moving higher up the mountain. It was a sign!


After a long gondola ride and another ride in a special four wheeled drive bus...










we were dropped off at about 10,000 feet elevation at the base of a smoking crater.

Smoking Crater

Crater at Mt. Etna

The guide led us around one of the smaller craters and we were able to see views of Sicily on every side. The wind was pretty intense and the large crater above was releasing sulfur and other gases. Check out this video of us walking around the top of the crater! 

It was an amazing experience to get that close to an active volcano. What was even more fascinating to me was the hundreds of thousands of people who live all around the volcano. They either have great faith or they have just tuned out the fact that they are living on the edge of oblivion every day.

It helped me to realize that we all do the same thing. Every day life is so precious and fragile, but we rarely take notice. We have been living this way for so long that it doesn't even seem strange to us. We may not be on an active volcano, but our whole world can be shaken in an instant. If we lived with the constant realization that each moment could be our last, would we treasure the gifts we have received more? Would we be more generous and kind?

Peace and Goodness,

Father David

Trifecta (October 11, 2012)

Santiago de Compostela, Rome and Jerusalem ; the trifecta of Christian Pilgrimage.

Today I leave for the Holy Land as part of the Institute for Continuing Theological Education. I have never been to the Holy Land and I have to say that I am pretty excited about walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

We will arrive in Tel Aviv around 4pm and then travel to the Mount of the Beatitudes where we will stay for the first half of our trip. From there we will make day trips to Cana in Galilee, Caesarea Philippi and Mount Tabor. On Monday we will go to Jerusalem and stay there for the remainder of our time while visiting the sites nearby such as Bethlehem, Ein Karem (site of John the Baptist's birth and the Visitation), the Mount of Olives and sites in Jerusalem itself.

I have no idea what to expect, but I know that my faith will be richer for having been able to visit the earthly home of our Lord and see and touch the places that He loved.

As we prepared to leave this morning the following verses stood out in our morning prayer song.

"Jerusalem the golden, with milk and honey blest, Beneath thy contemplation sink heart and voice oppressed. I know not, O I know not, what joys await us there, What radiancy of glory, what bliss beyond compare."

" O sweet and blessed country, the home of God’s elect! O sweet and blessed country, that eager hearts expect! Jesus, in mercy bring us to that dear land of rest, Who art, with God the Father, and Spirit, ever blessed."