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.

Look mom, we're playing with mud!

 Today was a short day, in comparison to the past days. Today we went to three main places, a beauty product production plant and store, Masada, and the Dead Sea.

Let me start off by saying, it was not my idea to go to Ahava, a place where they sell refined Dead Sea mud for cosmetic purposes. I went there because that is just where the tour led us. However, I did pick up something for the two amazing secretaries back home. You've got some real good hand moisturizing mud coming your way!

Next, we visited Masada. Let me explain Masada by way of a short history lesson. Masada is a large fortified city built on the top of a butte right next to the Dead Sea. Herod the Great, who was paranoid that the people would revolt against him, built it in order that he might have a place to escape to. It had recreation areas, a large cistern to catch water, a pool and bath-house, a huge food storage area - you name it, he had it - expect for a plasma screen TV (come on, it was the 1st century BC).

Well, his paranoid expectations never came to fruition. Instead, he simply died and never used Masada. But around 66 AD, when Zealot Jews revolted, their last stand was made here at Masada. Think of it like the Alamo. Well, the Romans laid siege for around three years and after building a wall and camps around the base, building a giant ramp up to the city walls, and also using siege towers, they broke through the gates. After breaking through, they decided to to get some sleep before invading the fortress and punishing the Jews within.

That night, the leader of the revolt, rallied the men and decided on a course of action. They saw only two choices, die or be made into slaves, with the women and children being abused and maltreated. So instead of slavery, they chose suicide. Everyone was killed except for a few women and children.

After this revolt, Masada was used for a short while by some Byzantine monks.

The site is presented as the place of a courageous final stand. I would agree to a certain extent. Yes they were courageous in defying the Romans and fighting back to retain their religious freedom. But I disagree with their final course of action. I would say there were three choices - slavery, death by self-inflicted wounds, and die in a final charge against the Romans.

Now while I was not presented with the same predicament as these people, I, as a Catholic believe that suicide is not an option. Rather, like William Wallace on Braveheart  I would hope that  I would say, "They can take my life, but they can never take my freedom."

OK. After that long rant we need something a bit more fun and that is exactly what you are going to get. Once we descended Masada, we ate some food at the mini food court below and made our way to a beach on the Dead Sea.

Here we had some real fun. Not only did we swim and sit in an sea that you can't help but float in but we also smeared ourselves in mud. Yes, you read correctly, we smeared mud all over our bodies. You don't believe me? Look below and see for yourself.

My ohhh my that mud felt good on my skin. Can you recognize me? 

Some others on the beach enjoying themselves .

OK, yes the mud has rejuvenating effects and is good for you. But I know that my mom would not have approved of this. And mom, if you are reading this, don't worry, this stuff really is good for you. I wouldn't lie (especially not now that I am a priest).

Once all this was done, we made our way back to Jerusalem to take a shower, to clean the mud out of my ears (that was really stupid of me), and to get some rest.

Tomorrow is will entail an optional tour to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum, The Israeli museum - place where some of the dead sea scrolls are kept, as well as a visit to the Samaritan motel.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem

What a day! After returning from walking around the city, I can say first it is a city full of holy sites, and second, I still need to lose a few pounds. We began today on the Mount of Olives, first with a beautiful overlook of the city.

After that we walked downhill to the Church known as Dominus Flevit which translates "The Lord wept." At this site we recalled Jesus' weeping on the way to Jerusalem. It is recalled in Luke 13:34 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling!" Within the Church, there is a window with a perfect view of the city and you will also see, built into the altar, a picture of Jesus the hen.

At the bottom of the Mount of Olives is the Church of All Nations, also known as the Church of Gethsemane. This is where Jesus went through his agony before meeting Judas and the soldiers who would take him away to be judged and crucified. Here it is where Jesus sweat blood and said those words of fear and abandonment, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done." Luke 22:42 At this place you can find the actual stone where Jesus went apart to pray.

The Original Garden with ancient olive trees

The Rock of Agony

The Mosaic on the Outside

From here we took a bus ride across the Kidron Valley (where some of the prophets were buried) to the Upper Room and the Tomb of David. Here, in a Muslim controlled building, is where Jesus and His disciples celebrated the Last Supper, he instituted the Eucharist, and instituted the priesthood. While this building was made in the time of the Crusades, the location is where the Last Supper was held.

Right next to the Upper Room is the tomb of David, the King of Ancient Israel, and God's beloved.

Down the hill a little ways, we arrived at St. Peter Gallicantu which is built over both the High Priest's home and the place where Peter wept after denying the Lord three times before the cock crowed. Underneath the church were prison cells were they believed Jesus stayed after he was condemned and next to the Church is a 1st century road that most likely Jesus, would have walked on.

A cistern they may have thrown Jesus into during his short imprisonment.

On our way to lunch we passed by Potter's field, where Judas Isacariot committed suicide and Gahenna, the ancient location of human pagan sacrifice outside the city walls.

Down below is Potter's field

Gehenna - doesn't look very hellish, does it?

As the afternoon began, we also began our walking tour of Jerusalem. We entered the city and first visited the Western Wall, the holiest site on earth for Judaism. We then were going to begin walking on the Via Dolorosa or the Way of the Cross but our way was barred due to difficulties in the Muslim quarter. We weren't told what was happening, just that we couldn't go there. So moving backwards we began at the 7th Station, Jesus's second fall and then back to 6, Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. We then went onward through the city, seeing each successive station until we reached Holy Sepulchre.

The Western Wall

If you reach down in that hole, you can touch Golgatha, the ancient hill on which Jesus was crucified. 

I am going to get back to you soon with both pictures and details about the Holy Sepulchre, but until then, I need a nap.