Our last day was very simple. We began with Mass at Nicopolis. This was one of the believed sites of Emmaus where the resurrected Christ met two of his disciples. We were encouraged to allow our hearts to burn within us as we recall the Holy Land and read the Scriptures, just as the two disciples who walked with Christ were filled with inspiration at his teaching.
From there we took a short bus ride to Latrun where a number of Trappist monks live in community. We didn't see any of the monks but simply enjoyed their church and prayed there. There monastery was built over the home of the good thief, Dysmas, who was welcomed into paradise by Jesus from the cross.
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| The Valley of Elah |
Thereafter, we went for a sizable drive through the Valley of Elah, where David slew Goliath, and then on to Jaffa, the historic port where we began our Pilgrimage. Going full circle, we then rested before a big day of travel.
Sitting on the beach of the Mediterranean, I thought about all that we had done. It has been said by many scholars and historians that the Holy Land is the fifth gospel, that the land illuminates the other four gospels and gives light to the context of the bible. This is very true. In Galilee, you can still imagine today, Jesus walking on the Sea of Ginnesaret or calling people from the shore. In Nazareth, you are struck with the humility of God becoming man in a simple backwater town to the most humble of all women. In Bethlehem, we experienced the cave where our Lord was born into the world. And in Jerusalem, we were overwhelmed by all the events that developed here: Jesus triumphant entry on Palm Sunday, his Last Supper with his disciples, his agony in the Garden of Olives, his trial by the High Priest and trial before Pilate, his scourging, crowning, carrying of the cross, his crucifixion, death, and burial in the tomb. But also the place of his resurrection, where he appeared to his disciples and where he was lifted up from the earth. We also saw places where the apostles would have walked and began there ministry. Each of the sites has its own beauty, mystery, power, and ability to touch one's heart if you allow it. For so many of us, we were changed and will be forever changed by our experiences in this land.
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| Ancient and Modern Day Jaffa Port |
With supper in the evening, we said goodbye to Tal our tour guide who kept us from getting lost and bestowed on us some amazing trivia and facts. We also said good bye to the other 18 pilgrims we joined on the trip. And then it was off to sleep for a very short rest before the alarms sounded our ears at 12:45 am in Israel.
From here we left by cab for the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv at 2:00 am, to go through one round of check in after another. By the time the day was done, we had gone through about 12-13 checkpoints. When we finally lifted off, it was a solid 5 hours before we arrived an Amsterdam. From there another layover and the big flight of around 9 hours to the Twin Cities in the good ol' U.S. of A. The last lay over was for another 3 hours before we got out in Sioux Falls.
For many of us there were still late night drives, while I simply retired in my brothers RV to recuperate from the nearly 28 hours of time awake.
On the drive back to Pierre, I heard the amazing news that we have a new Pope, Francis I. (I do kind of wish I had been at the TV when it happened but you can't plan for events such as this after a pilgrimage.) And now, after a night of sleep, I wish to thank all who have followed us on our pilgrimage. Your prayers and support probably kept all of us out of trouble and you were in our hearts as we journeyed to each location. As your receive each of your friends and family back home into your own communities, try not to overdo on questioning, they are still processing their experiences but allow them to share with you how the Holy Land, the fifth gospel has changed their lives. May God bless you and also bless our new Holy Father, Pope Francis.
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