So Long, Farewell...

In this last post, I plan to sum up our last full day in Israel, our trip home, and some fruits from our time in the Holy Land.

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.

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.

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.

Sunday in the Holy City

Wow, what a day. While the rest of the group was on an optional tour, seeing the Holocaust Museum, The National Israeli Museum, The Samaritan Inn, and a diamond cutting place, I was off seeing those areas of the city that I wanted to pray at. (The reason I didn't go is because I already had been to these places and both the Israeli and Holocaust museums are mentally and emotionally exhausting.)

Once we had Mass in the motel and a little needed rest. I went to the upper room once again to pray. After that, I want to Dormition Abbey, the place where Mary fell asleep, to later be assumed body and soul into heaven. I spent most of my time in the crypt below the Church where they have a beautiful depiction of Mary asleep.

Above the body
are all the women in the OT
 who prefigured Mary. 

The Valley I traveled across - The Kidron Valley

The next walk was quite a bit longer. From here I went from Dormition Abbey across the valley to the Church of all nations to pray. Even though Mass was going on, it was a very peaceful place. And once Mass was done, I had the opportunity to pray next to the stone of Jesus' agony again.

St. Stephen's Greek Orthodox Church was the next stop. Here they had this very beautiful depiction of Stephen's martyrdom.

 Then I began walking on the Via Dolorosa - starting at the Churches of the condemnation and flagellation.

Below, is what is known as the Ecce Homo arch, or Behold the Man arch where Pilate condemned Jesus to death.

 The 3rd Station, the first fall. Look at all the angels in the background bemoaning Jesus' fate.

As you exit the chapel at the third station, you see this paining that encourages you to pick up your cross and follow the Lord.

The 4th Station - Jesus meets his mother

Most of the other stations have no chapels so I will not include pictures of numbers on a wall. But once your reach the Holy Sepulchre, you go up to Golgatha. This is the place where Jesus was nailed to the cross.

 The station where Jesus dies on the cross, I mentioned in a previous post, where you can actually touch the rock of the mountain on which he died. Last of all there is the tomb itself.

This last picture I took today, recalls the pilgrims who have been coming here for centuries. Before they would leave, they would put some sign up that they were here. While it is a form of vandalism it is also surprisingly moving to see all those of the past whom we are following to this place. On the way to the main Armenian chapel, many of them would carve crosses into the bricks before they would leave. 

Tomorrow will be our last full day of pilgrimage. After that, it will be an early, early, early morning flight back to the United States.