Wednesday, July 27, 2016

The Mount of Olives


Panoramic View of model of Jerusalem at the Israel Museum
View at Yad Vashem
The past few days have been somewhat of a pause in following the narrative of Luke's gospel.  Yesterday we spent time at the Israel Museum (far too short a time), and at Yad Vashem (a sobering experience).

Today we head to the Mount of Olives, visiting a cluster of churches commemorating Jesus' final few days before the crucifixion.  We will visit Pater Noster (Our Father), Dominus Flevit (The Lord Wept), and the Garden of Gethsemane.  I am looking forward to getting back to spending some time in these holy spaces.

Looking forward, a friend from seminary gave me a tip about our visit...One can ask permission to stay the night (in vigil) at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.  They take 15 people each night, and give you the admonition, "No sleeping!"  The doors are locked at 9:00pm and reopen at 5:00am. (The key to the church has been in the custody of two Muslim families since the 13th century).  We are about 80% sure we want to spend the night there.  It is not often one has the opportunity...stay tuned.

Only one more post before we head home to Texas.  We have been grateful for your prayers and have kept you, our friends and family, in ours.

With love,
Chris & Bryn

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Guests of the Waqf



Yesterday came with an exceptional opportunity to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock.  Since 2000, these sites have been closed to non-Muslims and/or non-Palestinians, yet because of our status as students at St. George's College, we were treated as important guests, entering through a VIP gate and having a guide for our time there.  We were Guests of the Waqf (the trust that owns the buildings).

Pictures cannot capture the beauty of these two buildings...every surface is decorated and everywhere you look you see something new. One surprise, written in Arabic at the top of the Dome of the Rock is a phrase similar to our Nicene Creed - "Jesus, who was born of Mary, died and lives again."



After our visit to these sites, we went to the City of David and Hezikiah's Tunnel.  We took a twenty minute walk in the dark through ankle-deep, ice cold water.  The tunnel was sized much better for Bryn than for me!  You might think this was not a pleasant experience, but the cold water after many days of HOT Jerusalem was very refreshing.  We all agreed we'd do it again.

Today we are off to the Israel Museum and Yad Vashem (the Holocaust Museum).  Our time here is coming close to an end.  We miss you all and send our love.

Peace,
Chris & Bryn



Monday, July 25, 2016

Catching Up

After a few days of early mornings I have fallen behind in reporting our progress.  Sunday we were at Mt. Tabor (the traditional site of the Transfiguration), where our group celebrated the Eucharist just outside of the "official site".   After Eucharist we made our way up to visit the Roman Catholic church constructed on the top of Tabor.  After a short visit to the church and the attached overlook of the valley below, we quickly went back down the mountain to depart for Caesarea Maritima (not to be confused with Caesarea Philippi).  
Caesarea Maritima, built by Herod the Great in order to win favor with Caesar, is a beautiful city on the coast of the Mediterranean.  There are still impressive ruins of the theatre (still in use today), the hippodrome, and other first century buildings.  Others who followed Rome made their mark on Caesarea Maritima, including the Crusader fortress that was one of the last stands for European Christians in the Holy Land.
One might ask, what does Caesarea Maritima have to do with Jesus?...Best I can offer is that there was an inscription found at the site that mentions Pontius Pilate as the governor of Judea. Also Paul, as he traveled the Roman roads, was likely to have been there, perhaps even imprisoned there.  Otherwise it is just a great excuse to stick our feet in the beautiful Mediterranean.
Monday was a day spent at Masada, Qumran, and the Dead Sea. Masada is another of Herod's building projects, but is most well known for the fortress where the last of the Jewish rebels held out until the Romans built a ramp to the top of the fortress to rout them in 72 AD.  Qumran, of course, is the location where the Dead Sea scrolls were found, including the Isaiah scroll, and where the Essenes lived as a separate Jewish community.  

Bryn braved the Dead Sea float (I chose to rely on my past experience).  It was 118°F on the beach at the Dead Sea.  So for our Texas friends and family who are braving the heat, it could be worse!

Today we are back in Jerusalem with a very exciting visit scheduled...stay tuned!  

Grace and peace to you all,

Bryn & Chris






Saturday, July 23, 2016

Happy Sunday

Every Sunday is a feast day of the Resurrection. 

The photo is a first century tomb under the convent where we have been staying in Nazereth. It, of course, is not the tomb belonging to Joseph of Aremethea in which the body of Jesus was laid, but gives a sense of what a tomb of an upper-middle class family might have been like. Notice the stone that has been rolled away to open the door - gives a whole new picture for the gospel readings on Easter Sunday morning. 
Today we are off to Mount Tabor where Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John. Our group will celebrate the Eucharist there before heading to Caesarea Maritima and then back to Jerusalem. 

Happy Sunday from the Holy Land! 

Alleluia, Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia. 

Friday, July 22, 2016

To Caesarea Philippi


Yesterday was a whirlwind of places - from Chorazin to Bethsaida, onto Capernaum and the Mount of the Beatitudes, and ending at the Church of the Multiplication at Tagbha.  Looking out over the Sea of Galilee, it brings a real sense of knowing this is the area where Jesus spent most of his time.  He traveled these roads, visited these cities, taught at the squares and synagogues, and performed miracles and healed many who came to him.


Hannah & Gus wanted pictures of our food...this was lunch at the convent at the Mount of the Beatitudes.  It is called St. Peter's fish...bonus points to those who know why it's called that.  Oh, it was pretty good, for those who are wondering.


Today we head to Caesarea Philippi, another place familiar in the Gospels.  This is the place where Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" - a great question for pilgrims following in the steps of Jesus as his disciples did.

Love to you all,

Chris & Bryn


Thursday, July 21, 2016

In Jesus' Hometown


We've arrived in Nazareth (the hometown of Jesus) and will spend the next few days in and around the Galilee.  Today's journey takes us to Chorazin and Bethsaida, Tabgha and the Church of the Multiplication,  Capernaum, and Magdala. A full day indeed...

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Off to Nazereth


After yesterday morning at the Jordan River and renewing our baptismal vows, we are off to Nazereth today where we will spend the next four days. 

Sorry about  the short post, but I will try to post more in the days to come. 

Grace and peace to you all. 

Chris & Bryn

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Advent & Christmas in the Holy Land

I lift up my eyes to the hills;
  from where is my help to come?

My help comes from the Lord;
  the maker of heaven and earth.
  (Psalm 121:1, 2)

Yesterday was Advent and Christmas for those of us here on pilgrimage.  We spent the morning at Ein Kerem and the Church of the Visitation.  It is a modern church that stands on the ruins of earlier structures, and is the site in which Mary's visit to her relative Elizabeth is commemorated (Luke 1:39-45).

There are actually two chapels here.  One, downstairs is dedicated to Elizabeth and houses a well in which tradition states that Elizabeth and John the Baptist drank.  On the ceiling there is perhaps one of the most striking images - Elizabeth hiding her son John from Herod's "massacre of the innocents."

The upstairs chapel is perhaps a more peaceful scene, and is dedicated to Mary.  The fresco pantings of this chapel focus on Church doctrines related to Mariology.

The afternoon was spent in Bethlehem.  Entering Bethlehem means crossing the security wall between Israel and the West Bank. In both my visits there, the wall has colored my experience of all that followed.  We were treated to Palestinian hospitality and a wonderful lunch as we were served plate after plate of traditional Palestinian salads.

After lunch we arrived at the Church of the Nativity that is undergoing some major and much needed renovations.  There we descended into the grotto (cave) that is the traditional spot commemorating the birth of Jesus.  Adjacent to the Church of the Nativity is the Roman Catholic Church of St. Catherine under which one can see the caves where St. Jerome translated the Septuagint into Latin.

After visiting a local gift shop, our final stop in Bethlehem was a modern shrine...one of a home that is surrounded on three sides by the separation wall.  There we met Claire Anastas, a Palestinian Christian who lives in that home and runs a guesthouse and gift shop.  She spoke passionately about her faith and her choice to stay in Bethlehem (even when what was once a majority Christian city is rapidly seeing Christians leave).

As I reflected on the day, I was struck by the similarities between the women remembered at the beginning of the day and our time with Claire.  Mary, who was likely running away to be with a relative because she was in the dangerous position of being an unwed, pregnant girl; Elizabeth hiding her newborn son, John the Baptist from a murderous Herod; and Claire, who finds herself almost completely surrounded by hostility and hatred, and nevertheless offers prayers of love and peace.  These women offer a view into faith in God when that is all you have to hold on to.  "I lift my eyes to the hills/from where is my help to come?  My help comes from the Lord/the maker of heaven and earth."


Today we go to the Jordan, remember that this was the place where Jesus was baptized by his cousin John, and renew our baptismal vows.


Monday, July 18, 2016

Day Two - June 19, 2016

Day 2 - June 19, 2016



The vast majority of our time yesterday was spent in orientation and in the classroom listening to lectures. We did, however, get to make a short trip via bus around the old city, stop at a few scenic overlooks, and then take a walk through the old city back to St. George's.  Yes, I know my eyes are closed in this picture, but it's the only one I have...I'll blame it on the jet lag (also why I was up at 4:00am again this morning).

The Old City

The old city is fascinating to me.  It is a mess of tangled streets lined by markets selling everything from food and candy, to souvenirs, to clothing, to pots and pans.  It is easy to loose your way and get totally turned around...that's not wholly a bad thing.  There's so much to see and experience in the old city, it's better simply to let go and see where curiosity takes you.  The old city for me is much like a oversized labyrinth in which God is found in the meandering and eventually finding a way out.

This trip to the old city was guided (a cheater's way of getting familiar), and without much time to take things in.  We entered at the Jaffa Gate and turned north to pass the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and eventually out the Damascus Gate.


After looking at a map, I see the route on which we were guided were the boundaries between the four quarters of the old city.  The photo of the map gives the appearance that navigation is quite simple, but don't be fooled, it takes some getting used to.  I am looking forward to returning to the old city with some free time to experience the food and culture.



Advent & Christmas
Today is our trip to Ein Kerem and Bethlehem as we begin to follow the narrative of the Gospel of Luke.  The theme, of course, is the birth of Jesus.  We will experience that through the Church of the Visitation, the Church of John the Baptist, and the Church of the Nativity. It is a fitting place to start a pilgrimage, asking the question, "How will Christ be born anew in me today?" and "How will I carry Christ with me out into the world as I leave this holy place?"

Our thoughts and prayers are with our families and friends back home.  We continue to be grateful for your love and prayers.

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Safe and Sound

Day One - Monday, July 18, 2016



After about 30 straight hours of travel, we arrived safely to St. George's College in Jerusalem late yesterday afternoon.  Our bags are still enjoying a leisurely route to us, but we are hopeful to see them sometime this morning.  Paul and Kristi were the first of our group to greet us, and they too had their own hiccups, but made it safely to St. George's.  We are looking forward to a great pilgrimage together.

Last night, St. George's hosted us to an opening Eucharist in the cathedral chapel, a reception, and a wonderful dinner.  After about four or five straight meals that had been served to us on trays or wrapped in cellophane, this was a welcome feast indeed!  After dinner we had a short briefing by the college staff on what to expect over the next few days, and made our way to bed quickly after the evening briefing was over.

Today our schedule places us in the classroom for much of the day with orientation and lectures about what is to come.  We will venture out with a bus tour of the city and a walk through the old city of Jerusalem later this afternoon.

Love to you all; we are grateful for all your thoughts and prayers.
Bryn & Chris Caddell