Catching up and Random Photos

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Since I last wrote, we have returned from the Galilee. On Monday's return journey, we renewed our baptismal promises at the River Jordan and later visited the Crusader Fortress at Belvoir, the ancient city of Bet She’an and the ruins of Bet Alpha Synagogue. On Tuesday evening a few of us attended a beautiful Yom Kippur service at Hebrew Union College. For the Jewish people, this is the most solemn feast of the liturgical year; I was moved by the presence of G-d among those gathered. Yesterday was a classroom day and in the afternoon I had the opportunity to Skype with some of the sophomores at Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay. When I finished these Skype sessions with Mrs. Stanczak’s theology classes, I experienced a natural high. It reminded me how much I truly love the classroom. God-willing, I will return to the classroom after ordination.

Today, I walked and prayed the Via Delarosa. Although this Way of the Cross may not actually follow Jesus’ journey toward Calvary, it was a profoundly solemn and prayerful experience. I found myself singing (quietly, and likely out of tune) two of the hymns that I remember singing at Queen of All Saints Grade School in Michigan City.

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble!
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Come back to me with all your heart
Don’t let fear keep us apart
Trees do bend though straight and tall
So must me to other call

Long have I waited for
Your coming home to me
And living deeply our new life…

Last night, one of the Comboni Sisters shared a touching reflection about her work throughout the Holy Land. She shared joys and successes, but she also shared some of her frustrations. She concluded her talk by saying, "When I first got to this land, I wondered how can we call this the Holy Land, this land is not holy. But after being here and continuing my work, I have come to realize that this land is indeed holy because the Blood of the Lord has not yet dried. His Blood continues to flow from wounds and deaths of so many innocent women and men caught up in the violence perpetrated by people who have not yet understood or accepted His message of love and forgiveness."

There is much beauty in this land, but there is also great tension. Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the safety and well-being of all those that live and work in this Holy Land!

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Photos

III Station: Jesus Falls the 1st Time
We adore you, O Christ, and we love you. Because by your Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.

IV Station: Jesus Meets his Mother
Recognize the tenderness conveyed by the loving embrace...

Belvoir Spina Christi
Seen several of these tries throughout the Holy Land. Jesus' crown of thorns was likely made from this type of tree.

Face of Christ
Sculpture is based on analysis of the Shroud of Turin. Part of Shroud of Turin exhibit at Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem.

Belvoir Crusader Description
Oversimplified, but accurate description of the Crusades. Unfortunately, misunderstandings and imperialism on both sides cost the lives of many soldiers and innocents over the course of nearly 2 centuries.

Belvoir Jordan Valley
"Beautiful View" in French; it definitely lives up to its name.

Bet She'an Lower City
This city has been settled and re-settled until the present day since at least the 5th millennium BC.

Bet She'an Cross
Byzantine Era cross that is either graffiti or marks a baptismal font below.

Bet She'an Stone Mover
An reconstruction of how stones were inserted between the wheels and then pulled by animals or laborers.

Camboni Sisters Convent
This has been our home here in Bethany (just outside of Jerusalem) since our arrival in late August. They have been tremendously kind and loving hosts.

The Wall & Flowers
This picture is taken in the driveway of the sisters. Notice the beautiful floors growing all around the wall.

The Wall & Pre-School
In between the Convent on the right and the Wall on the left is the pre-school run by the Comboni Sisters. As you can see from these last two pictures, beautiful plants and beautiful people continue to grow and flourish despite the existence of this concrete symbol of division.

Comments

[Julie Massey]

Grateful
Mike, I read today's entry while sitting in Old St. Joe's awaiting the start of Morning Prayer. I truly appreciate the beauty of these reflections. Thanks for sharing your journey.

[Wallking on Holy Ground]

Glad you are enjoying the blog. We watched Pope Francis here in Jerusalem.