Israel and Munich

We were up early today and left the Olive Tree before breakfast to walk the Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem. It was quite fun walking with the people of Jerusalem in the early morning. Four people would carry the cross to each station where we all said the Our Father. It was a very emotional experience imagining Jesus at each station with the crowds and Romans torturing him. I am sorry that I ever went to see that Mel Gibson movie because it was so upsetting. When I imagine Jesus, I think of him as a small baby in Mary’s arms, a young boy playing with his friends, a serious teen exploring his world and then a young man preaching. I know the end justified the means; I just don’t like picturing such a brutal finish for our lord. We ended at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. I don’t know what those cobblestones do to my feet, but walking on them is painful. It’s hard to believe people went barefoot around the streets of Jerusalem. When we walked into the church I first noticed the Stone of Unction where people meditated on the death of Christ. There are opulent lamps hanging over the limestone slab dating from 1808 when the previous stone was destroyed.
Much to my surprise, the holiest site in Christendom remains carefully divided between the primary custodians, Greek Orthodox, The Armenian Apostolic and Roman Catholic churches, the Greeks having the lion’s share. The Coptic Orthodox, The Ethiopian Orthodox and the Syriac Orthodox have lesser responsibilities, which include shrines and other structures inside the complex. Times and places of worship for each group are strictly regulated in common areas. I am sure that the various groups don’t find this practice silly, but I sure do.

Today is Thursday and this week has become a haze. We left Tiberius at 7:50 AM and said the rosary on our way to Cana. This is the village Jesus’ first miracle was performed, the miracle of turning water into wine. All of the couples in our group renewed their wedding vows which was a beautiful ceremony performed by Father’s Tom and Robbie. Tears of happiness were shed for many wonderful people. We also saw a replica of the jugs used when the water was turned into wine. The church was beautiful. We then proceeded to Mt. Tabor, the scene of the transfiguration. Father Tom said Mass in a gorgeous church overlooking the valley. We had lunch @ Bet She an National Park which had a magnificent view of the valley below. From there we proceeded south to Jerusalem. We hugged the Jordanian border where we could see Jordan through electrical barbed wire fence. I have never seen anything like it. We saw old tanks, but it must be one of the richest agrarian areas of this country. This country is quite the land of contrasts. There are deserts and rich fertile earth, mountains and valleys and a melting pot of people. We also went to Bethlehem to go shopping. Again we went through check points with military present as we entered. All of us bought way to many treasures, but that is alright.

Today’s journey began on the Sea of Galilee riding early this morning on a wooden boat. Father Tom climbed aft and Kevyn and I followed him right up there. The sailors flew the Israeli flag and then to our great surprise he raised the American flag and played the Star Spangled Banner! We also listened to some beautiful music by the Light House. Kevyn told Father “way to kill the mood, you have everyone crying! After that we danced to Israeli folk music which was a definite pick-me-up and on we sailed to Capernaum to see the Miracle of the loaves and fishes, gorgeous mosaic of the loaves and fishes. We then moved on to the Mount of the Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount was given, to Tabgha Father Robbie gave the most wonderful homily by the shores of the Galilee. At the end of mass Ron announced that everyone should sing God Bless America, which Father Tom was surprised to hear suggested. It cost two schekles to use the restroom at the Mount of the Beatitudes. Then we had lunch at a family run home cooked sandwich shop. We moseyed down to the Church of Peter’s Primacy (Rock Church) where Peter was told “feed my lambs, feed my sheep.” From there we proceeded to Caesarea Philippi (Peter’s mother in laws and Jewish synagogue) Jesus said to St. Peter “You are the Rock and upon this rock I will build my Church.” Moving on down the road we proceeded to the Golan Heights, where we could see Lebanon and Syria. There we viewed the King Harold Ruins and beginning of the Jordan river. Many brought empty water bottles to bring back water from the Jordan. We renewed our baptismal vows. We ended the day with a most awesome ice cream bar before returning to the hotel.

This is so cool! The plane ride was grueling, of course but everything went really smoothly. We transferred planes with little trouble and we walked from one terminal on one side of Frankfurt Airport to the other side in less than thirty minutes. The flight to Tel Aviv was very smooth and the only glitch was one of our members was interrogated for at least an hour, poor guy.
My roommate Kevyn and I went to the hotel room and went to sleep. I was up and on this time zone this morning. Easy as pie.
Then we were off to Caesarea, Mt Carmel, Haifa, Nazareth and Tiberius. I can view the Sea of Galilee from the hotel room.
We have a coach with a good driver and a nice tour guide by the name of Jack. Father Tom started our trip with us all saying the rosary. If you're not Catholic, you are missing a lovely tradition. I also think of it as Yoga. It puts me in a good place first thing in the morning. We drove up the beautiful coast of Israel. The Mediterranean Sea is very pretty. Different than any body of water that I've seen before. We then arrived in Caesarea and looked at the ancient Roman ruins. I really like the aqueduct that brought fresh water to the area.
Then off to Mt Carmel for lunch and then we went to Mt Carmel and saw Elijah’s cave said a decade of the rosary, and Mary gave St. Dominic the Scapulas. We left there and saw Lebanon. Back on the bus to Nazareth, had lunch and then went to Basicillica of the Annunciation and had pictures of Mary from different countries, and then saw the cave that Mary was born in and then upstairs saw the actual church. Walked across the courtyard to the Holy Family Church where Joseph lived. Had stained glass of Joseph dying and Mary and Joseph and Mary married. We then went upstairs for mass and Father Tom talked about seeing with three eyes – your physical eyes with your brain, your faith and intellect for our pilgrimage. Then we wandered around and I picked up Orin’s map and then we went for our long walk to the Greek Orthodox Church which houses Mary’s well. Some poor man stepped in the worst human manure and we had to smell it all the way to Tiberius. I thought about how the shoes live in the boot, but then realized they would stink up our luggage. Yuck. Now we are going to eat some more wonderful food for dinner and our day is done!

I feel completely unorganized. I need to finish packing, go to Mass and get ready for the long airline flight. Ugh. Two days lost on a plane. Maybe it will be fun although I find sitting in the plane for hours on end to be torture.