This post is from Wednesday 21 January 2015, and was posted on Thursday, 22 January.
When you get a group of
38 people on a pilgrimage for the first time, the chances are very high that there is someone who is
always late, or obnoxious, or just a pain in the behind. As our time together winds down it is clear
that we have beaten the odds and are fortunate that this group has been such a
pleasure to travel with.
We are also fortunate to be writing this blog
towards the end of the pilgrimage. It has been a lovely 11 day journey, and we
are enjoying every bit of it. But it took us several days to get to know and
understand this place. The first few days, we were like kids in a candy store,
trying to take it all in as quickly as possible. Now towards the end of our
journey, we are taking it in slowly, trying to dwell and take in every single
detail and try to understand this place that is cherished by the three Abrahamic
faiths.
Even though our days start very early it is
wonderful to be at these extraordinary sites just with our group and not with
other pilgrims or tourists; it is a little quieter and provides opportunities
for the Holy Spirit to reach us. I (Suzanne) looked forward to being a pilgrim
to learn about the history, geography, archeology, and art of The Holy Land in
the hopes of feeling and experiencing the Holy Spirit. Quite frankly, the times in which I have felt
the presence of the Holy Spirit have been few and far between; but today while
waiting for The Church of All Nations to open I started walking around the
Garden of Gethsemane. I probably walked around it four times and as I was
walking I felt a sense of peace and a presence.
It was the same feeling I had during our Eucharist on the hill over
looking the Sea of Galilee, just a sense of quiet presence and peace. The reading and beautiful impromptu singing
by Mary Ann Haagen while in the "cellar" where Jesus was imprisoned (at the
Church of St Peter of Gallicantu) was for me a very touching moment. I hope
that every pilgrim in our group leaves this place with a few moments of
peaceful presence.
People come to this
place for various reasons, and the expectations are different. It might be on
someone's " bucket list", and it is a matter of checking the box. To
others, it is a spiritual trip, and perhaps
to others just a vacation. Some come here to get close to God, while
others to get closer. When I (Solomon)
started my pilgrimage, I did not know what to expect. Maybe some sort of an epiphany, or some sort of a " holy
revelation", or an answer to many questions. None of the above happened.
And then, something happened.
It happened every time I
spoke to the people, the living stones. It happened when I spoke to children
who were trying to sell us "something" or just trying to talk to
someone who will listen. It happened when I spoke to the shopkeepers who in
addition to selling wanted to describe what truly is happening here. It
happened when I met my cousins who did not leave--while others left--but who stayed in Palestine. It happened when I went to the house where my mother grew
up, and could hear her and her 8 siblings playing in the courtyard. It happened
when I spoke to locals priests, workers,and just "ordinary" people.
It happened again and again. I am not sure how to describe it, but I know something
happened. I do hope something happens to everyone of the pilgrims.
We also hope and pray
that something happens in this land so that suffering ends and peace
prevails.
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