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Published: January 25th 2015
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Today promised to be a busy day with many sites to visit so we left a little earlier than usual after breakfast. The weather was perfect with blue skies and comfortable temperatures. We drove up to the Mouth of Olives where we enjoyed a wonderful view of Jerusalem. We stopped along the way for explanations from George who I think is one of the best tour guides in the business. We saw the Place of Ascension and the Pater Noster Church where the Our Father was first taught.
We arrived at the Garden of Gethsemane where George explained that radiocarbon dating tests on some of the root material from Gethsemane indicated that some of the wood could be dated at 2300 years old. We also learned that when an olive tree is cut down, shoots will come back from the roots to create a new tree.
We entered the Church of All Nations where we celebrated Mass. At the foot of the altar is “the rock of agony” where Jesus prayed the night before he was crucified. We all gathered around the altar while Father said Mass. It was a wonderful and emotional experience hard
to put into words.
Next, we visited the Wailing (or Western) Wall with views of the Al-Aksa Mosque and Dome of the Rock. We listened to George’s commentary before going up to the wall, men on one side and women on the other. This is a complicated land which I want to learn more about. Every place we go brings up more and more questions. The wars and destruction have wreaked havoc over the centuries.
We then made a brief visit to King David’s memorial before visiting the Caenaculum (Upper Room), the place where the Last Supper occurred as well as the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This is where 4 of the Sacraments were initiated, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Reconciliation and Holy Orders. Again, George explained the history and the different religious factions affecting the ownership of the Upper Room. Again, very complicated history.
All of these sites were within walking distance of each other and we next enjoyed a magnificent view of the Kidron Valley and visited St. :Peter in Gallicantu (where St. Pete denied Jesus) built over the palace of Caiaphas, the High Priest. For me, this
is where everything we had done and seen over the last week came together.
We were shown a hole down which prisoners were lowered down into a dungeon by a rope. It is believed that after Jesus was betrayed in the Garden of Gethsemane by Judas, he spent the night in this dungeon before he was handed over for trial to Pontius Pilate before he was crucified.
(John’s writing here)p
During this journey, I was one of the lectors for two different masses and after each of those two masses, a number of people shared with me what a good job I had done. Today, our tour director, Dennis, asked me to read Psalm 88 which portrays Jesus’s sadness, loneliness, and pleading during the time he was in the dungeon awaiting to be brought to trial. As I began reading this Psalm, I started to feel the Holy Spirit speaking with me, or enveloping me as I continued and a surge of adrenaline overpowering me as I continued to the end. When I was finished I felt totally out of energy. Everyone told me how excellent I read and how emotionally
and spiritually they felt throughout the reading. I shared my experience with Georgie and then to Dennis and Father Bear. Dennis told me that is why he wanted me to read the Psalm so everyone would be able to feel the
emotions of Jesus at this particular time for Him. He said “you nailed it” as he put his arm around my shoulder.
Well done, John. When we were back outside, we had a view of Jerusalem and this is when George pointed to the places we had been, the Upper Room, the Garden of Gethsemane where Judas betrayed Him. Then he was brought to the dungeon at Caiaphas’s Palace. The next day he was brought to Pontius Pilate after which he was sent to Herod who sent him back to Pontius Pilate who thought he was innocent, but wished to remain in power so he asked the people what they wanted and they said for him to release Barabbas. George pointed to the Way of the Cross and the Holy Sepulcher. It all made perfect sense and George was very passionate about this tour and wanted to make sure we understood and so repeated it
again.
After this very eventful day, we went back to the hotel for dinner and afterwards we met with Father who blessed all of our religious articles and Dennis told us what to expect at the airport the next day. Yes, it is coming to an end. The good news is we don’t have a wake-up call in the morning.
SUNDAY
Today we pack up and check out at noon and travel to Bethany, home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary. We also visit Emaus. We will celebrate Mass along the way and then have a farewell dinner reminiscing of all the good times spent together with all or our new friends and family before being taken to the Ben Gurion Airport to be processed for our night departure flight.
This has been a wonderful Pilgrimage, perhaps the best trip we have taken. It brings the Gospel to life. It will help us understand the Gospel and the Bible better as we continue of faith.
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Lisa
non-member comment
Wow!!
I have been reading your blogs regularly and communicating with the kids what your days have been like. I can't wait to see all of your pictures hear you talk of your experiences!