Jerusalem

Jerusalem, the Holy City, the city where Christ died and rose.



Fr. Phil inside the cave




 



The last four days of our Holy Land pilgrimage was in Jerusalem and the surrounding area.  The visit to Bethlehem which is under West Bank territory is always powerful.  This is one of the few early churches or shrines that the Muslims left alone.  It was not destroyed, praise God.  Here I prayed over the spot where Jesus was born.  Earlier we had visited the Shepherd's field where we were able to pray in a small cave dedicated to the Angel's visiting the shepherds while they kept watch.  This peace which I experienced here is still needed in the world, especially in the world of our tiny hearts. 



Fresco inside the small church







 Another day we walked the way of the cross.  This is unique in that we pass through the market place where everybody is shopping.  We are just part of the crowd even through we are following the Lord's journey to Calvary.  That is no different than our walk every day.  We march along in the business of life. Our friends, neighbors and associates are doing their thing right next to us.  In the midst of all this, Christ is carrying our burdens and bearing the weight of our sins. In the midst of it we are trying to follow the Lord. The final stations of the way of the cross end inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Here one can pray over the rock on which he was crucified, see the chapel dedicated to St. Helena where she found the wood of the cross, or go inside the tomb from which He rose.  It is an incredible experience to be near so much of the last days of Christ.  I pray that more will understand the depth of His suffering and thus, know the depth of His love and mercy for us.



VII Station, Jesus falls a second time





Overlooking Jersulem, Jesus wept.



Among other sites we visited were the garden of Gethsemane, the hillside of where he cried over Jerusalem and upper room.  Yet, the site where I was most moved happened to be the church of St. Peter of Gallicantu.   Maybe it was because there were no big crowds or maybe it was because here Jesus spent the lonely night in chains and in jail while his closest friends were denying him.  During the Mass here one of the powerful events was to hear the roster (the cock) crow.  It was a conscience reminder of the weakness of our faith and Lord's power of forgiveness.



My fellow priest pilgrims in the church of St. Peter of Gallicantu





There is no way, this reflection covers all the sites, sounds and movements of the Spirit experienced.  Yet, maybe it will give you a glimpse.  My last blog on the Holy Land will include a series of pictures and very little text.  Maybe they will provide prayer and peace for you.