Life presents us with strange turns and twists….which we especially notice at points of re-entry from an adventure. We find ourselves one minute gazing over the Sea of Galilee to the mountains of Jordan and the next minute the flight supervisor of El Al who had been so nice on your departure is there to welcome you back to the UK. I have gone in just a few hours from dancing on a boat in the Sea of Galilee to receiving a spa treatment from two of my girls in my home in Wokingham. It almost feels like living in a Salvador Dali painting.  Things just seem like melting clocks sometimes.

I guess one lesson I am learning at the moment is not to let living in the ordinary times rob me of the extraordinary experiences that life brings us. We have so many blessings in our lives but often we are robbed of the chance to truly enjoy them because someone takes our eyes away from the glory and tells us how bad things can be.

I get really frustrated with people who spend so much energy on things that really don’t matter. They are inconsequential things, but some people get tied up in them. Rather than risk being set free to live an abundant life, they spend an eternity struggling with little things.

Driving back to the airport from Tiberius to the Israeli coast, I noticed one car doing what so many do every day. He cut through the traffic and made dangerous moves around our bus trying to move ahead. Three or four times he almost caused accidents, but each time the red light would come, all of us would creep up to the light and look at this silly driver. Around the fourth light, his aggressive position in the traffic caused him to be blocked in, and thus all the cars he had carved up whilst driving like a fool passed him. Five miles of ridiculous driving and aggression ended up wasting gas/petrol, almost causing a wreck, and ultimately led to nothing. How often this is in life as we struggle to get ahead and to carve up relationships with people who might be in our way. How often the steady pace of the world catches up to us and passes us by.

So, from a guy who should know, slow down and enjoy life. Learn how important family are and how wonderful being a husband and father can truly be. Leave the rat race to the rats, and sit back and the view.

There is a song that keeps resonating in my heart as I am back from my “view”. It is a song by a clergyman and it is a prayer for peace in Jerusalem. I first heard him sing this at the Greenbelt festival when he performed with a group of dancers from Palestine. Perhaps you could sing this…and in doing so, pray for peace in Jerusalem….I will see if I can find it and post it to my blog….in the meantime, just say the words!

What a last day! This journey was filled with mountain tops and I just thought at some point we would have to come down the other side and experience a day with less WOW’s…..but it just was not to happen. Today was really an amazing day of encountering Jesus in a fresh way and gave us a chance to see the landscape of his life.

We began the day with a drive past Magdala (the home of Mary Magdalen) noticing first century graves beside the road unearthed when they upgraded the roads…this place is just bursting with history. We looked up and over to the beautiful old route to Nazareth just the right of the Arabel cliff….en route to another mount…..known as the Mount of the Beattitudes. We were able to sing in the church again , this time Tallis, and it was wonderful. We read the beattitudes….and felt blessed. There was a Indian mass with a group from South India, Russian Orthodox Christians singing prayers in the church and Nigerians arriving….this Holy place really draw people who long to be in the places of Jesus’ life.  I noticed Psalm 122.1-2, being read here by teh Sea, but having just come from Jreusalem, it seemed more powerful to me. “I was glad when they said  unto me let us go UP to Jerusalem”. 

We then ventured to Capernaum to the house of St. Peter. I have loved how our guide has taught us Biblical words…like GARAF…NA….HAM or teh Village of Nahum….meaning place to bring comfort (or something like that). This place was a border between the tribes of Zebulon and Naphtali of Herod’s time (Isaiah 9:1-2) and I had not realized what a trade route this place would have been….Mesopatamian region South to Egypt in the Jordan valley. “The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light”…..perhaps this was a fore-telling of the presence o Jesus in the village one day.

I had not realized that Peter was originially from Bethsaida but came back to Capernaum to this little house, where he helped care for his mother until Jesus came and healed her.

We then journeyd to Taghba to visit the place of loaves and fishes, where Jesus fed the 5000. The floor was marvellous and we celebrated the Eucharist at an outdoor chapel by the shore. I loved the face that the mosaic only shows four loaves insteas of five reminding us of the fifth loaf being our Eucharistic loaf….one theory. One disturbing, and perhaps telling observation was the presence of lots of fighter jets flying around during our communion service. It was a reminder of the problems in Syria just beyond the border in the Golan heights as well as the growing tensions in the straights of Hormuz with Iran. We offered prayers for peace. I loved watching one of our group raising her hands in true praise while we sang….it was special. The Bishop’s sermon about the unfairness of God was great….really made you think, and be thankful.

After communion I befriended a group of Fiji soldiers on pilgrimage….lovely guys. We then went to the place Christ appeared on the shore to his disciples after the resurrection. It was wonderful….a Holy place, like so many before…..and Many of us went down to the water and I decided to go for it, and got in! I splashed the water up. I poured water over another guy in the name of the Trinity…we were wet….it was wonderful. As we were emerging with some sea shells to take to friends, a large group of Romanian gypsies arrived in bright dresses and the men in cowboy hats. The climbed in as well….it was a time of great joy. As I was leaving, they were still having fun, and one of the guides at a neighbouring chapel kept trying to shush them….he could not do it….they were truly worshipping the Lord….it was so beautiful. Words really fail to do it justice.  I made a note to myself which read….”What a WOW place!” It really was.

We enjoyed lunch at a place called St. Peter’s and had traditional fish (head included). We were still buzzing from the Glory of our time. After lunch we headed to a place where they have found a 2000 year old boat called the Gallilean boat and we boarded our own vessel to sail back to Tiberius. We sang and danced on the boat and enjoyed our final look at the beautiful mountain vistas. We did stop the engines in the middle of the sea and read a couple of the miracle stories there in the sea…there was a strange calm after we read, “who is this who the wind obeys…” It was a great way to finish a great pilgrimage.

I will digest these experiences in the coming hours and days. El Al will force us to leave the hotel at 4am tomorrow to be at check in 3 hours early. I will return to the UK convinced that an experience of Pilgrimage to the Holy Lands is a good thing for Christians. We have had a marvellous tour which our travel company has planned beautifully. They are offering me the opportunity to lead groups here if I wish, which I would see as a great priviledge. Perhaps you find reading mywords enough of a journey, and perhaps the political situation here will change and make it more difficult to travel here….but perhaps you need a bit of encouragement and a way to touch things that will connect you to our Lord. Perhaps you will want to take a dip into Holy Water and take in some of the most amazing experiences for yourself. If you are interested, do let me know, because I would truly love to share with you what I have found here. Thank you for joining me on this journey which has renewed my faith in Jesus of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem, taught around Galilee, arrived in Jerusalem and was crucified and buried….but I believe the story does not end there. I believe he conquered the grave and appeared to his disciples and many others, and the combination of this truth and the events of his life, created a trail of churches and Holy places which has preserved the roots of Christianity for generations and generations. I leav tomorrow with the words “I BELIEVE” firmly etched in my heart. My prayer is the joy of that reality will touch you as well. Shana Ala….Jeru…Salam (Next year in Jerusalem!)

My day started and ended with wonderful singing with African Pilgrims from Nigeria. They seemed to be so humbled by the thought that I would show an interest in their country and their people. As our morning began I sang songs with one group and as the day ended I sang with another….what pure joy it was….just as the church ought to be.

We got an early start today and headed to Mt. Tabor. This massive mountain sticks up in the middle of the very hilly landscape. It is surprising to see how incredibly hilly this region is as you leave the shore of the sea of Galilee. It is beautiful and green and there are Kosher McDonald’s popping up on the landscape (as you would expect of a tourist area for Israeli people. The bus could not take us to the summit and so we boarded vans in groups of eight to ten and zoomed up the hairpin turns to the summit. It was a wild ride, especially when meeting another flying van coming the other direction. The view from the top was stunning….just stunning. The church rests on the spot where Jesus was transfigured and appeared with Moses and Elijah. It is a beautiful church and some of us sang in the church….someone recorded it and will post to YouTube….I will post a link if they do.

I bought some incense from the Franciscan monks there as this felt like such a holy place. On the way back to the vans to go down we met several groups of Nigerians coming the other way. We greeted them, expressed our concern and then found ourselves singing with them on top of the mountain. It was wonderful….the insisted on taking my photograph with them….I only wish someone would have taken one with my camera. It was quite a sight….but what an experience of the body of Christ….and his call to West Africa for me.

We left the mountain and headed to Nazareth to visit a farm that dated to the time of Jesus childhood. There is an effort there to recreate and period village with characters in period dress and help the story of Jesus’ life in Nazareth to come to life. It was informative and I enjoyed feeding the goats. I think my Katherine would have loved that bit…as well as the woman spinning wool the old-fashioned way.

We enjoyed eating lunch and visited Mary’s well and the beautiful church which is now built around yet another Holy sight. We all shared a good laugh about the toilets at the restaurant which had saloon style doors on them…meaning you could say hello to people as they passed by….I would have taken a photo but was worried someone might think I was a bit strange.

We were going to finish our day of exploration with a trip to Cana, another beautiful hillside town where we visited the church of the Wedding Feast. We had also visited the magnificent church of the Annunciation, the House of Joseph with its 4th century baptistery (amazing!)….lots of things today….all of them wonderful. Our day ended as we walked out of the Cana church  and I came upon another group of Nigerians. Expressing my love and concern for them and their country we again broke into joyful song. It was real and heartwarming. It was an ever-present reminder of what all of these relics represent, a real and powerful God who is present and transforming our world through acts of generosity.

Driving back for the evening I found myself thinking about what an amazing adventure today truly was. It was a beautiful drive, to beautiful places, in this gorgeous hilly green landscape, to walk in the footsteps of Jesus’ first 30 years of life. We visited the little synagogue which would have been the place where Jesus taught the first time, and we too almost got lost in the market getting there. Coming here really helps the Bible to come to life. It also puts life into perspective. If I am going to believe this story and the generations who have believed this story, then my life will need to be ever more Christ shaped.

Tomorrow we visit the house of St. Peter and take a boat trip in a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee followed by a meal….at the site of the feeding of the 5000. I am hoping they pack more than a few loaves and fish….but even so, I imagine it will feed us all with baskets leftover. Such is life here in the Holy Land. God Bless you all.

Our last morning at the Golden Walls Hotel began as normal with a nice breakfast and then we loaded the bus to travel to St. George’s Anglican Cathedral for the morning service. The custom for most tour groups is to leave your bags in the lobby and have them carried to the bus/coach but I found myself feeling guilty at the image of these guys working hard going up and down the stairs carrying bags….so I joined in and made several trips with them. I found myself wondering what had transpired at the meetings in Jerusalem between the chair of the joint chiefs and the Israeli government…there were major discussions yesterday about Iran amongst other things…no doubt this will hit the press. I am fearful for the future of these lands and the unrest that is here.

The Cathedral was lovely looking like most Cathedrals in the UK, albeit a bit smaller. I loved seeing a kneeler cushion from St. Paul’s New Orleans, a place I visited years ago after the Hurricane. It was nice to see lemon trees, Clemintines, and even a Grapefruit tree behind the Cathedral. There were USA Prayer Books in the Chancel and many of the plaques on the walls suggest a strong link between ECUSA and this church. “Our schools are educating the next generation of peacemakers even as our hospitals are healing the wounds of the present generation”. These were words of Bishop Diwani who presided over our service….Bishop Michael preached. The service was in Arabic. The Gospel lesson was the wedding feast of Cana….”and he revealed his Glory…and his disciples believed”. Wonderful to hear this passage knowing later in the day we would head to the Sea of Galilee. The Bishop told us of the impending arrival of the Archbishop of Canterbury and so I will look forward to seeing how this meeting between Rowan and other church leaders in Jerusalem turns out.

We departed and drove toward the Mount of Olives again, pausing for one last look over Jerusalem…..Shana Ahla Yeru Salem….or something like that, I was told…..Next Year, Jerusalem.

We drove into the desert our way to Jericho. We stopped at a monastery along the way…amazing place deep in a ravine of the desert. I bought something from a bedowin man who was there. It is hard to describe the beauty of this place. Looking back to the West you realize how mountainous is this area….and then this journey takes you well below sea level.

We continued to Jericho and could see the Dead Sea to our right. We read the story of Zacceus and the Sycamore tree and the oldest tree in town. We stopped at an archeological dig where they are looking for Joshua era stones, and then we took a cable car to the mount of temptation (pictured in this post). It was a stunning view from the side of the mountain towards Jordan and South to the Dead Sea. There is still a monastery there on the side of the mountain as well as caves that were once used by desert hermits.

We left the WADI KILT or Valley of the Shadow of Death mentioned in the 23 Psalm and the place of the Good Samaritan, and had a nice lunch with two bus loads of Arminian Christians. Today in their church calendar is the Feast of the Baptism of Christ, so they had come to the Jordan to renew their Baptisms. It was a happy group.

We drove North up the very fertile plain which is the Jordan Valley, through several Israeli checkpoints en route to Galilee. I was amazed at the sheer number of plantations and fields growing, considering we had just left the desert. It is also beautiful and green here.

We arrived safely in Tiberius and the site of the Sea of Galilee was exciting. This town seems like a vacation spot now with hotels and bustle…but my eyes were drawn to a small fishing boat on the lake, and then my mind was imagining other times and other fishermen. The sunrise tomorrow shall be amazing from my window which looks over the water to Jordan…We are off to Mt Tabor in the morning….another exciting and busy day. Thanks for following along with me.

Our day began on top of a large hill / mountain called Herodian, which as an ancient palace of King Herod and finished at the church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. It was another invigorating day of travel and experiences.

We had to travel through a check point and into Palestine as we travelled South towards the Dead Sea. Off in the distance you could see this tall mountain with a flat top. We arrived and climbed from the base. Once at the top the mountain opened up as Herod had built this palace and then moved a mountain to surround this place. The network of tunnels and caves were amazing, but there was a rather disturbing view of many large Jewish settlements being built in Palestinian territory.You could also see the large wall that is being built to separate the people. It is a broken land to be sure.

We then drove to the Shepherds fields on the outskirts of Bethlehem to have Eucharist in one of the Shepherds caves there…it was lovely. I loved the large fountain outside the church with the Shepherd on top looking to Bethlehem. The Bishop reminded us that ”God shows himself on the margins” which had lots of meanings today. It was nice to hear the Japanese pilgrims singing praise songs as we received communion.

We did stop at an olive wood cooperative but my feelings about shopping did not change. It was nice to see other folks in the group purchasing things for loved ones. I ended up having fun helping flog some goodies on the bus for a couple of fellows who came to the door…my comission was a flute! I did buy a couple of things for my gang.

We had lunch at the Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation, which is a large hospital-like place which offers holistic medical care. I was amazed at the view from the roof as we could see how close the roads to the settlements were to the back of the hospital and the construction work to the wall. The director who spoke to us certainly was passionate about the problems….it really is a political mess.

Our journey made it finally to the Church of the Nativity. I say finally because of the way you have to drive a sort of long waya around due to border controls. The church is a beautiful place and was probably the oldest preserved church we have seen. I loved listening to the Orthodox liturgy as we waited to go to the grotto. I laughed upon seeing two large patio gas warmers in the chancel….silver of course to match the decor. I remembered the images of the monks fighting with broomsticks this past Christmas here….sometimes the Holy crashes into the ordinary. Touching the spot where Jesus was supposed to have been born and then the place where the wise men brought their gifts felt special. It is stunning to think that this birth inspired generations to preserve this very place.

We then went to another crypt and saw the place where St. Jerome translated Holy Scripture from the Greek to Latin…and there in the midst of all of this, I met a tour group from Georgia with a pastor who used to be at Biltmore Baptist church. It was nice to suddenly feel as though the world and the body of Christ is small and intimate….connnected.

Our day ended with a sultans feast, complete with music and dancing…it was a nice touch for the hotel to give us such a treat. I think my late grandmother would have loved the clothes and the parade of platters with fireworks on top.  It was a nice way to finish our time in Jerusalem, with a celebration. We leave for the North tomorrow, heading to Jericho and then on to the Sea of Galilee where we will explore the ministry of Jesus. Thanks for your continued prayers.  

 

 

Ultimately today was about meeting some orphans who live on the side of the Mount of Olives and in particular a boy named Mustapha. Our visit to the orphanage came after lunch, but it was a fun time and I found myself wanting to stay and play basketball with the boys. They asked me to come again! I will need some new magic tricks next time!

Our day began in the city of David where we saw layers of history on the southern wall of the temple. We then visited the house of Caiaphas and its beautiful chapel. We descended to the jail beneath the house where Jesus might have been kept. The PIT was deep and dark. As we considered Peter’s betrayal we actually heard a rooster crowing….it was a moving time in a place with a beautiful view to the Dome of the Rock. We made a quick stop by the graveyard where Oscar Schindler is buried on our way to Ein Karem (which means Spring of Vineyard). Here we saw the birth place of John the Baptist in a chapel which was restored by Queen Isabella of Spain….beautiful blue and white tiles. The words of the Song of Zechariah were on the walls and took on new meaning.

Our journey continued to the Shrine of the Book where we saw the Dead Sea Scrolls. This amazing discovery has changed the way people have read scriptures forever. I was pleased to find a photograph from Duke Chapel when the scrolls made a US tour in the 50′s. The Shrine reminded me of the saucer from the movie “when the earth stood still”. It was here that we also got to see the amazing model of Jerusalem at the time of the temple, just before its destruction. I have inserted a photo of this amazing model in my blog. It is vast, and was very wonderful in bringing together much of what we had learned in the previous day.

We enjoyed lunch at St. Andrew’s, which was a little piece of Scotland…and in fact Robert the Bruce’s last request was that his heart would be buried in Jerusalem, and there is a stone (right next to our bus parking spot) marking the resting place of his heart. The Scottish members of our tour seemed to enjoy this stop and some of them are planning to go back to church this Sunday. The food was amazing and the chef’s explanation of the deserts was wonderful….so many good sweet things.

We then made the long drive to visit the house of Mary & Martha, also the place where Lazarus was raised from the dead by Jesus. We saw our first camel on the side of the road as we took this 40 minute drive….the new wall in Israel has made what would have been a ten minute drive a fifty minute drive….lot of time to think about Jerusalem politics. It was also our first glimpse at the Jordanian mountains and the desert. I loved hearing about Lazarus and how he went on to live and share the story of his miracle….and the connection to Cyprus, where he is patron saint.

Our day began to wind down as we visited an orphanage. There are 90 boys living there and I had such fun playing with them. It is easy to get caught up in the sites of this place and forget about the people, especially vulnerable people, affected by the changes and lack of peace which is here.

Our last stop was the most Holy site for all Jews, the Western or Wailing Wall. It is the beginning of the Sabbath and everyone was arriving. The crowds pressed and I managed to get to the wall for a prayer. The singing and joy was both exhilarating and disturbing, as I am very aware of the effects of Nationalism. As I walked toward the Wall a faithful Jew was in front of me wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers jacket. It was so funny to see, especially considering that they did not make the playoffs this year, and it helped me to remain grounded in such an emotive place. We left the wall and walked through the city to the Damascus gate, passing man Jews rushing to worship and many armed military guards making sure that all was well. The word TENSION is the right word for the feeling….and considering the political realities of Jerusalem, one cannot help but be drawn in a bit.

After another lovely meal at the Golden Walls Hotel, we were so blessed to have one of the Canons from St. George’s Cathedral to speak to us about his ministry here. I was pleased to know of his study in Virginia Seminary and his friendship with a friend of mine in Northern Virginia….the church world is so small. What a faithful servant this priest is….I am excited to be able to worship at the Cathedral this weekend.

Another great day of walking and thinking and imagining in the Holy Land. The historical aspects of this adventure are truly educational. I particularly enjoyed seeing the final movements of Jesus demonstrated on the large model….how he was taken to Pilot, and the Caiaphas, and how he arrived to the Temple…the route he walked, and the locations of so many Biblical stories….just wonderful.

Growing up we hear words spoken and read to us in and around the church. We are never given a context for our faith and the stories of the Bible become fairy tells and magic dust. It is wonderful to feel the dirt and rub the stones of the 1st century. It is good to imagine what religious harmony actually looks like, and more than that, to imagine what God makes of all of this. My guess is, of all the things I saw today, all of the wonderful things, he would want me to remember Mustapha and his smile today. For life is the most precious thing we have. Thank you for your prayers as I journey on to Bethlehem tomorrow.

There will be plenty of stories to tell about today’s activities. We left early to drive up to the Mount of Olives where we began our day at the Pater Noster church. Surrounded in the words of teh Lord’s prayer and imagining Jesus ascension to heaven, our group set out on a journey which would carry us through Holy Week in one day.

We began our day on top of the Mount of Olives at eh Pater Noster church. The Lord’s prayer appears on tiles in the languages of the world…I even found it in Cheroke. We then began our long walk to Jerusalem. Down a steep grade and we stopped for Eucharist at the church built upon the spot where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. The view of Jerusalem was amazing, looking out to the Dome of the Rock, a mosque built upon the spot which is sacred to Muslims but also is known bby Jews as the place where Abraham bound Isaac. With the Kidron Valley before us and all of the graves lining the valley in expectation of the coming of the Messaiah, it was an impressive place. The valley runs all the way to the Dead Sea and we could see the gate which Jesus would have entered on Palm Sunday which is now closed and blocked by a Muslim cemetary.

As the sun glistened off of the Dome I found myself praying for Paul and Jim, both deployed. I prayed for peace, especially peace in Israel. I prayed for the people of the churches I have served, and I prayed for my family. I also prayed for Teddy Hall with fond thoughts of smiling faces! Having such a powerful backdrop for our Eucharist brought to mind so many things….it is good to experience this….and it is hard to describe.

As we began the descent to the Garden of Gethsemene I heard the voices of Africans singing Hosanna. I was so lovely and brought tears to my eyes. Down this steep hill deep into the valley and there was this wonderful sound…of joy…I could almost imagine the electricity of Palm Sunday. I discovered that Nigeria pays to send its people to visit the Holy Lands, which is a very interesting discovery. Upon our arrival to the garden I was humbled by seing a woman with a cane struggling on…walking this journey despite considerable pain.

We entered the city through the gate which is named for Stephen, who was arguably the first martyr of the church. We stopped at the palace in the corner of the old temple which was named after Mark Anthony and in which Pilot lived and governed for Rome. We shared a nice lunch on the top of this, now convent, before continuing our journey. We made our way down the Via Delerosa. I felt a strange feeling as we stood in the place of flagellation, where Jesus was beaten. Continuing up narrow shop laden streets, crowded with people, we prayed, and recounted the stories of Jesus’ final hours. This journey ended at the foot of the cross, where I was able to touch what the Arminian church has declared is the rock where the cross of Jesus was erected. It is under an ornate altar in the top right corner of the church of the Holy Seplechure.

This church is a chaotic place which large groups of people slowly moving around. There are moments of holiness, and moments of frustration with the very clear divisions of the church. There are candle sellers and people being aggressive. This place is owned by five different churches, Arminian, Catholic, Coptic, Syrian, and Orthodox….so you can imagine the splendor of the place as well as the diversity. Before leaving I loved stopping at the centurian’s chapel commemorating the soldier Longines who proclaimed the Jesus was the Messaiah after stabbing his side and witnessing water flowing from the wound and ended up being beheaded for his faith.

We did visit the Garden Tomb and hear stories of resurrection in a light rain and having visited three possible places where Jesus was buried, I think the second one….dirty, small, and un-spectacular seemed the one for me. The third one was right next to the local bus depot.

So the end of a long day which included lots of walking and lot of thinking. A day which found the collision of the old with the new (loved seeing an Etheopian monk in the sacred chapel near the site of crucifixion sending a text message). The present state of the church and the present divisions are stark. The tears of God over the state of world religion seem real. We began with the words of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem an I end the day thinking that much is still the same. I finish the day with one word in mind….that is HISTORICAL. The story of Jesus is truly rooted in History. It is a story filled with embellishments but it, in its essence, is rooted in HISTORICAL fact. It is nice to walk on stones where he walked and to touch things he might have touched.  It makes the journey in life all the more powerful knowing that, having accepted the truth of Jesus’ divinity, then it is our life’s call to embody his love in the world.

 

 

A long travel day is over and I am settled in nicely at the Golden Walls Hotel, located just outside the Damascus Gate of the old city. It feels good to be here! I began the day with a walk to the train, followed by a train and bus ride to Heathrow. Perhaps it is fitting that this Pilgrimage really began to feel like one at around mid day. El Al security is everything you have heard people say, and as the lone US citizen travelling with a group of English and Scottish folks, I was treated to all sorts of extra care and concern. Everything was done professionally and I certainly felt safe on board that flight (sharing my row with a Rabbi who was coming home from the USA where he was visiting his father)…although a plane which still has ash trays gives me more concern than the possibility of a terrorist….I could only imagine the age of that plane….but it was a great flight and an immediate immersion into all things Hebrew. Favourite moment of the flight was the delivery of fresh pita bread and hummous…something felt great inside as I broke that warm bread as our plane rushed in the direction of Jerusalem.

We were greeted by a representative of the Hotel and a lovely comfortable coach/bus to carry us on our 40 minute drive past the Dead Sea exit and other notable names until which reached a summit (near to the Mount of Olives). It is dark and the driver pulled to the hard shoulder. We then read a scripture…I believe it was Luke 19:41-42  “He came closer to the city, and when he saw it he wept over it, saying If you only knew today what is needed for peace, but now you cannot see it”…..it felt powerful to look at the Jerusalem lights from the front of the coach/bus and hear these words…or perhaps they were another verse.

We are here….it is exciting….and it feels very safe and cozy. McCabe has really rolled out the welcome mat for us…they are friendly and even had goodies in the room for us. Bishop greeted us in the lobby, and I headed to my room to discover the most amazing view of the Wall and city. I will try and figure out how to upload some photos which I am taking….so you can enjoy some of these sites with me.

Pray for our group as we head out for a full day tomorrow. Thanks for coming along with me as I walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

“We are pilgrims on a journey, and companions on the road / We are here to help each other, walk the mile and bear the load” – from Brother Sister let me serve you.

Fun after Chapel with some of the choir!

What brings you joy? What makes you cry? What makes with cry with Joy? I watched a movie today about a little girl on a quest to find a new definition of success. She was able to break free from the narrow definition of her father and unearth a new freedom in being truly who she was called to be. There is something quite extraordinary about finding out that it is really okay to be the best YOU you can be. The world and our families often impose upon us rules and traditions which we can often find difficult. Sometimes, therefore, our lives are shaped by those traditions and yet, other times it is our very lives which shape those traditions. I hope that whatever you might be doing today, both bits of shaping are happening.

I am heading to Jerusalem tomorrow. I ask for your prayers for the safety of our group which is being led by the Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf. I hope I return full of stories and experiences which can add to the FUN of life.

 

Jesus, the Son of God
St. Edmund Hall Chapel
Hilary 2012

Rev. B. Kris Kramer, Chaplain

The first week of term at the beginning of another New Year of life. It is a good time to ask rather large questions. Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? and Who is Jesus and why does it matter…really?
The good thing about new beginnings is that we don’t expect to have all of the answers immediately. We gather here taking inventory in what we have and are, and we recommit ourselves to another quest deeper into the possibilities of life. Perhaps you are just beginning to discover what you will do with your life….or perhaps you are simply needing a gentle reminder of God’s pleasure with who you are.
My new beginning is being here with you in this special place as your new Chaplain. We gather here in this sacred Chapel where generations have prayed. Here is this place where students have cried in desperation and joy. Where lives have been united in Holy Matrimony and where forgiveness has been found. We gather here and lift our voices in song as so many have before us. Where tonight, a North Carolina boy from the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains has come along beside each of you, to share a moment…to share an opportunity…to share encouragement….to tell you how precious life is…and to simply bear witness to my belief in Jesus, the one who is known by Christians as Son of God.
I will spare you a long discourse on the findings of what is widely known as the Jesus seminar and the quest to find the historical Jesus. There are many complex theories about his life and the proof of his activities, particularly his crucifixion, death, and resurrection. So much of the liturgy which we share this evening is very presumptuous. We say and sing words which express a faith in a truth about both the humanity and divinity of Jesus who is called the Christ. Purcell’s beautiful music offers an amazing backdrop for these words of faith…..Now let us thy servants depart in peace…..My soul proclaims the Greatness of the Lord…..words of faith in a mighty God who has become personal….who has broken into our world….who loves us…and who longs for a heart of gratitude.
Perhaps tonight is simply about my saying hello and revealing to you that I am on a journey of faith. I am a Christian and I am seeking to grow in my faith and understanding of Jesus, a simple man who was born in Bethlehem, and whose life, death, and resurrection so inspired a scholar named Edmund that he would become a Priest, Bishop, Archbishop of Canterbury and eventually be beatified…..St. Edmund. When we think of our Hall and our Hall’s namesake,we must surely think of the faithful spirit which led so many to read theology here and fill the pulpits and altars of the early church from this place. And just like all of those who have gone before you here, we find ourselves rethinking, rediscovering, and refocusing.
I am leaving the Hall for a short trip to Jerusalem this Wednesday. It is something I planned many months ago. It is a Pilgrimage with a group of clergy seeking to visit and worship in the historic places of the Holy Lands. It is a place where faith can be both rooted and uprooted. No doubt many of us can have some good discussions upon my return and I have even suggested that if there is an interest, I could take a group from the Hall later this year. What a joy it would be to sing praises on the Mount of Olives as we look at the Dome of the rock and imagine Jesus’ triumphal entry on Palm Sunday.
Allow me to close by saying what an amazing privilege it is to be with you. How glorious to stand in this 17th century chapel in his 13th century Hall and express a small glimmer of my Faith in this 1st century man….who was the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega.
Allow me to finish with this. The choir sang/is singing a beautiful piece of Bach’s music tonight. He wrote it when this chapel was new. I imagine, having seen the harpsichord in his home in Eisenach, he would have loved to hear our’s playing along. The thing about the music we sing, the thing that really inspires me, is how he signed the bottom of the music. SDG. Soli Deo Gloria which is Latin for Glory to God alone. We sing, we live, we laugh, and we love…for God’s glory alone. I pray that your new beginnings this Hilary Term, like mine will be full of adventure (well, perhaps not too much adventure) and faith…and hope! In the meantime, who is Jesus?….let us gather and search together for answers….and as we are resting beside this stream, let us drink in the nourishment for our journey ahead. Jesu, Meine Freude….Joy!!! (Things that bring us joy…thanksgiving for Rachel…small token for her!)

Amen.

Soli Deo gloria is a Latin term for Glory to God alone