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Published: December 1st 2010
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I got smart today and took a five hour guided tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. I say "got smart" because it is a labryinth inside and there is so much to see and so much that has historical and religious significance. Again, I cannot stress how much I marvel at how so many different cultures co-exist in a relatively small area of land. I also understand why people of so many faiths revere so many of these sites.
Faith is a very funny term. To some it is just an innate sense of belief and source of comfort in an otherwise confusing world. For others, it is their reason for being, the centre of their universe and in some cases, they wear "blinders" to block out any possible threats or conflicts that challenge them. I don't quite know where I fit in the scheme of things, but I am very moved by many of the sites I have seen so far. The Temple on the Mount is sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims and despite incredible security measures to enter the area, I was mesmerized by the gold plating on the roof, recently funded and renovated by the
King of Jordan. People of the Muslim faith believe that this is the actual site where Mohammed ascended to Heaven. Jews believe it is the site where all creation began. In the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, just across the way, Christians believe the church is built upon the site where Christ was crucified. Within the church itself, you can see the crack in the ground where it was said an earthquake suddenly occured and Christ's blood ran down the crack as he lay dying on the cross.
Pilgrims converged on all of the sites. Some prayed, some wept, some stood there with cameras and ensured their own immortality via technology. In either case, I was moved by everything I saw and understood a little bit better what faith is and what it means to me. Tomorrow I am travelling to Bethlehem and hope that the border checkpoint will not be an issue. As a child growing up with Christmas carols and knowledge of the scriptures that speak of this sacred place, I am very excited and eager. I have learned already that none of these sites can actually "prove" to be the places so revered by so many
people...science and technology will put up quite a battle I am sure. But I have learned, that just knowing that these are the sites where such momentous events have occured is enough for me and that perhaps now I will not count myself among the people Jesus referred to as, "Ye, of so little faith".
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Laura
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Our Trip
Kevin: I can't tell you how much I am enjoying "our" trip. I read every blog and enjoy your point-of-view, your storytelling, your wit and your reflections. I soooo needed this vacation. Thanks, Laura xxx