Apologies for a missed day of blogging! Today's entry is actually from Sunday, written by the Rev. Ron Stone. It is the meditation that he provided for his fellow pilgrims as they stood overlooking the scrub dotted hills of Bethlehem. Thanks for all your help on the blog, Ron!
Bethlehem, West Bank
Shepherd's Field
Matthew 1:18-25
We're finally here in Bethlehem. It's Christmas for us!
We've heard a lot of "Mary-ology" in the time we've been in the Holy Land. How about the 'bit player' named Joseph?
I relate to Joseph in a number of ways: he wasn't eloquent, he was likely an introvert, and there wasn't much written about him. The Gospel only refers to him less than a half-a-dozen times. Yet, he played a significant role in the first adventure of Christmas.
As I think about Joseph, I look at Matthew's Gospel, but I also imagine what it would have been like to be betrothed to the One who gave birth to the Son of God. I think about four instances in his life.
Introvert that Joseph was, how could he find the words to ask Mary to be his betrothed? Yet, for the first time in his life the words of love came tumbling out of his mouth. They would be husband and wife.
The second instance was one which brought Joseph much despair: the occasion when he found out that Mary was pregant. How the news must have hit him like a sledgehammer! What would it have been like to confront her?
The third event came as he slumbered. Joseph dreamed so vividly that he thought he could touch the angel who appeared before him saying: "Joseph, do not fear to take Mary to be your wife. For that which is concieved within her is of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a child and you will call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
Wouldn't he sit bolt upright in his bed to ask: "What did it all mean?" Without any regard for the fact that it was the middle of the night, wouldn't he have gotten up and gone over to Mary's house and awakened her and told her about his dream and what the angel said? I can imagine that they mingled their tears and smiles and prayers when the morning sun appeared.
The fourth happening for Joseph that stands out abouv the others is the night Jesus was born! Christians know the events of that night as well as they know their own name. I won't recite them.
I can imagine how he felt when Mary first placed him in Joseph's arms just as we have held babies in our arms. Joseph held the baby close and tight and as he looked into the child's tiny face through misty eyes he said: "Your name will be called Jesus, Jesus, Jesus."
A question that comes to my mind is: Who was holding whom? After all Joseph tried to bring Jesus up in the truth, but Jesus is the truth. Joseph gave this one a livelihood, but he is life. Joseph would have poured out on him all the love his heart could hold, but Jesus is love!
Who was holding whom? Believe me when I say: When Jesus holds you he will never ever let you go.
I suppose there is only one thing left to do: Express the greeting: Merry Chrstmas!" This greeting would have little meaning to Joseph. Let me share with you what I think Joseph would say: "May the one born here be born in your life again this day. May he fill you with his blessing. May he encourage you with his hope. May you find Shalom--peace n Christ!
~Ron Stone
Monday, May 3, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
PILGRIMS WAIL AND WAIL
Today's blog was a group project between Jeff Wood, Roy Knight and John White! ~~~
Jerusalem and wailing? We’re talking the wall, right? Not completely.
We began the day at another possible site of Jesus’ tomb. Pretty quickly, however, we were at Caiaphas’ house. He was the high priest who was big in Jesus’ demise. There’s a statue on the grounds that has a rooster. It signifies that this place we were at was not only the scene of a trial but of a denial as well. (Peter and the cock crowing thrice. Mark 14:66ff) All that is pretty understandable, something we might expect. But it was the basement that got us.
Caiaphas had, supposedly, in his basement a sacred pit. That’s what one of the signs named it. You know what was in parenthesis after that phrase? Dungeon. Yep, dungeon. Here’s a high priest with a dungeon under his house. This is where, was suggested to us, Jesus was not simply kept after his hasty trial but tortured. He would be tortured by the Roman soldiers. But before that as well. Here at Caiaphas’ house. Beneath the chamber for the flogging inflicted by Caiaphas was a kind of cave. It could only be entered by rope. It could only be gotten out of by being raised by rope. The idea was that this is where Jesus was put until being paraded over to Pilate. He was put in a dark, cold stone pit.
While we were crowded in there, Fairfax read Psalm 88. Amongst its verses: “You have put me in the depths of the Pit, in the regions dark and deep." We wailed a little.
Thirty minutes later, in the bright sunlight, we were forehead to the Wailing Wall. All sorts of people foreheads to rock praying. It was a sight. Men in black with big hats. Tourists with cameras. Others in prayer shawls. All praying. Thanking God. Wailing for God’s desires to come to fruition for God’s world. It was a different kind of wailing.
Wail at the beginning of our day for Christ’s suffering for us. Wail at the end of our day for God’s weal for all of us.
Jeff, Roy, and John
Friday, April 30, 2010
From the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem
The day's journey took us from the top of the hill above the Kidron Valley where the traditional site of the Garden of Gethsemene is located. As we stood among the budding olive trees we learned that their pattern of growth include a life cycle during which the tree, after several hundred years, will split forth from the trunk. While the old tree falls away, an "upshoot" or "nazaret" emerges from the ancient tree and a new tree's life begins from the old roots. We prayed in the Garden, remembering Jesus' invitation to stay awake and to watch.
As we walked from the Garden, the view of Old City Jerusalem, surrounded by the graves of thousands of both Jewish and Muslim peoples, could be seen. We learned from our Guide that the Jewish graves all faced toward Jerusalem, so that when the Messiah came their ressurrected bodies would be able to rise to ready attention in homage before him. The journey to the city, which we took by foot as Jesus would have at his arrest, led us by Dominus Flevit Church, which, shaped like a jar of tears, commemorates the moment when Jesus wept for Jerusalem saying: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem...how often would I have gathered you under my wings as a hen gathers her young and you would not..."
We entered the city at the Lions Gate and proceeded along the Via Dolorosa, or the "The Way of Sorrow." This 14 station devotion, initiated by the Cursaders, leads the pilgrim through the various trials of Jesus as he went from his arrest, his humiliation, his carrying of the cross, and his death on the cross. Along the way, one station allows the pilgrim to lean against the stone where Jesus is said to have placed his hand to balance himself as he carried the burden of the cross.
Old City Jerusalem bustles with 100,000 people a day and is home to some 35,000 Muslims, Christians, Jews and Armenians who have lived for generations in connected quarters of the city. Everywhere indicators of the multitude destructions and reconstructions of the City can be evidenced. Here and there the foundations of the Biblical memories stand out as symbols of the One Story of the Gospel and bid the pilgrim not only to remember the Good News but to walk in its way. One such location, the Bethseda pool reminds of Jesus' question to the crippled man who waited beside there for healing some 38 years. "Do you want to be healed?" Jesus asked the man, insisting that he have the courage to hunger for the life that Jesus could give to him. The pools are now essentially dry because of shifts in the bedrock which over the centuries have closed the springs that fed the pool. Nonetheless, Jesus' question echoes in that place. "Do you want to be healed?" Indeed, do you?
As we walked from the Garden, the view of Old City Jerusalem, surrounded by the graves of thousands of both Jewish and Muslim peoples, could be seen. We learned from our Guide that the Jewish graves all faced toward Jerusalem, so that when the Messiah came their ressurrected bodies would be able to rise to ready attention in homage before him. The journey to the city, which we took by foot as Jesus would have at his arrest, led us by Dominus Flevit Church, which, shaped like a jar of tears, commemorates the moment when Jesus wept for Jerusalem saying: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem...how often would I have gathered you under my wings as a hen gathers her young and you would not..."
We entered the city at the Lions Gate and proceeded along the Via Dolorosa, or the "The Way of Sorrow." This 14 station devotion, initiated by the Cursaders, leads the pilgrim through the various trials of Jesus as he went from his arrest, his humiliation, his carrying of the cross, and his death on the cross. Along the way, one station allows the pilgrim to lean against the stone where Jesus is said to have placed his hand to balance himself as he carried the burden of the cross.
Old City Jerusalem bustles with 100,000 people a day and is home to some 35,000 Muslims, Christians, Jews and Armenians who have lived for generations in connected quarters of the city. Everywhere indicators of the multitude destructions and reconstructions of the City can be evidenced. Here and there the foundations of the Biblical memories stand out as symbols of the One Story of the Gospel and bid the pilgrim not only to remember the Good News but to walk in its way. One such location, the Bethseda pool reminds of Jesus' question to the crippled man who waited beside there for healing some 38 years. "Do you want to be healed?" Jesus asked the man, insisting that he have the courage to hunger for the life that Jesus could give to him. The pools are now essentially dry because of shifts in the bedrock which over the centuries have closed the springs that fed the pool. Nonetheless, Jesus' question echoes in that place. "Do you want to be healed?" Indeed, do you?
Thursday, April 29, 2010
From Galilee to Jerusalem
An early morning worship on a blossomed lawn overlooking the Sea of Galilee marked the turning of our group from the slow pace of Tiberius to the unknown of Jerusalem. It is difficult to explain how comfortable one can become with seaside living, its pace and intimate tie to nature. And, there is something ominous about the thought of going to Jerusalem. Did Jesus also feel the discomfort of a departure from his days of teaching, preaching, and healing? Did he feel the tick of the days and the threat to life that comes with taking a stand in association with God and humanity?
A bus delay left us all feeling just a bit of relief in some ways. It was nice to have an extra couple of hours by the sea. When we did depart, Meggido, an ancient and elaborate tell was our first destination today. Meggido or Armageddon represents 27 layers of civilization in ancient Israel that continues to produce treasures of clay and other fragments that reveal the secrets of life as from times before King Solomon. Meggido, now a national park of Israel, was located at a significant juncture on trade route of the Via de Mars. A military outpost, Meggido was a defense station and the "customs center" of the ancient world. At level 17 of the tell, archeologists have found a ancient circle of rocks which served as place of worship for generation after generation of people who sought a place of prayer.
From Meggiddo we traveled to a kebutz, a secular Jewish community where all things are shared in common. This community orignated from the immigration of Chezkloslavakian survivors of the haulocaust. The hospitality and abundance of the meal was filled our bellies while we also pondered the deep costs to the Palestinian natives of the settlement of these dislocated peoples.
Our next stop was Caeserea Maritima, where Herod Antipas had created a luxurious dwelling on the very shores of the Mediteranean Sea. A colleseum, horse track and fresh water pool were only some of the results of Herod's voracious appetite for building and the enslavement of the Jewish people in the century around the life of Christ. The sea was spectacular in its beauty and peacefulness, while the presence of the Israeli Navy off the coast was a reminder to us of a small nation that lives unresolved conflict every day.
The evening of a long day found us at last at our new hotel, the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center, a beautiful pilgrim house just outside the walls of Old Jerusalem. For you at home who need contact information, the hotel's phone number is 972-2-627 9111 and it's website may be found at www.notredamecenter.org.
Tonight we'll add pictures to the blog again...I apologize for their absence these last couple of days!
Keep us in your prayers as we do surely keep you in ours.
`Suzan Hawkinson
A bus delay left us all feeling just a bit of relief in some ways. It was nice to have an extra couple of hours by the sea. When we did depart, Meggido, an ancient and elaborate tell was our first destination today. Meggido or Armageddon represents 27 layers of civilization in ancient Israel that continues to produce treasures of clay and other fragments that reveal the secrets of life as from times before King Solomon. Meggido, now a national park of Israel, was located at a significant juncture on trade route of the Via de Mars. A military outpost, Meggido was a defense station and the "customs center" of the ancient world. At level 17 of the tell, archeologists have found a ancient circle of rocks which served as place of worship for generation after generation of people who sought a place of prayer.
From Meggiddo we traveled to a kebutz, a secular Jewish community where all things are shared in common. This community orignated from the immigration of Chezkloslavakian survivors of the haulocaust. The hospitality and abundance of the meal was filled our bellies while we also pondered the deep costs to the Palestinian natives of the settlement of these dislocated peoples.
Our next stop was Caeserea Maritima, where Herod Antipas had created a luxurious dwelling on the very shores of the Mediteranean Sea. A colleseum, horse track and fresh water pool were only some of the results of Herod's voracious appetite for building and the enslavement of the Jewish people in the century around the life of Christ. The sea was spectacular in its beauty and peacefulness, while the presence of the Israeli Navy off the coast was a reminder to us of a small nation that lives unresolved conflict every day.
The evening of a long day found us at last at our new hotel, the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center, a beautiful pilgrim house just outside the walls of Old Jerusalem. For you at home who need contact information, the hotel's phone number is 972-2-627 9111 and it's website may be found at www.notredamecenter.org.
Tonight we'll add pictures to the blog again...I apologize for their absence these last couple of days!
Keep us in your prayers as we do surely keep you in ours.
`Suzan Hawkinson
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Sabbath Day Adventures
Today's blog "report" comes from Suzanne Schafer-Coates, Pastor of the Meadow Lakes Congregationof the First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown, NJ...
"O Sabbath rest by Galilee, O Calm of hills above, Where Jesus knelt to share with Thee The silence of eternity,Interpreted by love."by John Greenleaf Whittier, from the hymn "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind"We've journeyed for six days, and on the seventh, we observed Sabbath.Sabbath means different things to different members of our pilgrim band. To some it means to do something they've wanted to do but haven't had time to do; to others, it means rest and repair. To all it means to take time for self and God.Seven hardy souls hiked from the Cliffs of Arbel down to the Valley of the Doves (where the sort of doves that were acceptable for Temple sacrifice could be obtained in Jesus' day) to Magdala. This is the valley that Jesus walked when he came from Nazareth to the villages along the Sea of Galilee to begin his ministry. (He also walked it every time he went back and forth between Nazareth to the Lake (Sea) shore.) Three hours after beginning, the group arrived in Magdala, some came back to Tiberius from there, two others hiked on to Capernum, stopping at the Primacy of Peter to bathe their hot, aching feet in the Sea of Galilee.Four of us rented a car and drove to Sephhoris, and spent the day exploring the fascinating ruins of this ancient Roman City (it is close to Nazareth, and Joseph and Jesus would have doubtlessly gone there to work). Getting lost along the way just added to the excitement of driving in Israel.Two more rented a car and explored Galilee, including visiting an artists' colony and bathing in the hot springs at a Roman spa.The rest of us stayed in Tiberius, resting in our rooms or in the lovely gardens overlooking the Sea of Galilee, swimming in the hotel swimming pool, catching up on our journals, reading, talking, and praying. Many of the stay-behinds explored Tiberius on foot, some with maps, others letting the Spirit lead them. Some went to the street market, others down to the shore to eat lunch lake/sea side. Two went out in a boat, three swam in the Sea of Galilee while three others waded, and one stayed at the hotel and had a message.We met up at dinner, each content with our day, to share experiences and to think of the morrow.We'll be up early: breakfast at 7, worship at 7.45, then load the bus and of we go - up to Jerusalem!Shalom.Suzanne Schafer-Coates
"O Sabbath rest by Galilee, O Calm of hills above, Where Jesus knelt to share with Thee The silence of eternity,Interpreted by love."by John Greenleaf Whittier, from the hymn "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind"We've journeyed for six days, and on the seventh, we observed Sabbath.Sabbath means different things to different members of our pilgrim band. To some it means to do something they've wanted to do but haven't had time to do; to others, it means rest and repair. To all it means to take time for self and God.Seven hardy souls hiked from the Cliffs of Arbel down to the Valley of the Doves (where the sort of doves that were acceptable for Temple sacrifice could be obtained in Jesus' day) to Magdala. This is the valley that Jesus walked when he came from Nazareth to the villages along the Sea of Galilee to begin his ministry. (He also walked it every time he went back and forth between Nazareth to the Lake (Sea) shore.) Three hours after beginning, the group arrived in Magdala, some came back to Tiberius from there, two others hiked on to Capernum, stopping at the Primacy of Peter to bathe their hot, aching feet in the Sea of Galilee.Four of us rented a car and drove to Sephhoris, and spent the day exploring the fascinating ruins of this ancient Roman City (it is close to Nazareth, and Joseph and Jesus would have doubtlessly gone there to work). Getting lost along the way just added to the excitement of driving in Israel.Two more rented a car and explored Galilee, including visiting an artists' colony and bathing in the hot springs at a Roman spa.The rest of us stayed in Tiberius, resting in our rooms or in the lovely gardens overlooking the Sea of Galilee, swimming in the hotel swimming pool, catching up on our journals, reading, talking, and praying. Many of the stay-behinds explored Tiberius on foot, some with maps, others letting the Spirit lead them. Some went to the street market, others down to the shore to eat lunch lake/sea side. Two went out in a boat, three swam in the Sea of Galilee while three others waded, and one stayed at the hotel and had a message.We met up at dinner, each content with our day, to share experiences and to think of the morrow.We'll be up early: breakfast at 7, worship at 7.45, then load the bus and of we go - up to Jerusalem!Shalom.Suzanne Schafer-Coates
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Nazareth & Ibillin
Today's blog has been written by the Reverend Roy Knight who serves Romney First United Methodist Church in Romney, West Virginia.
From Roy:
For me, the day starts with quiet reflection in the hotel garden.
"And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene." and "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?"
I wonder how different a city Nazareth will be from these other Galilean lakeshore villages. We associate Bethlehem with the birthplace of Jesus. We might remember that Capernaum was the dwelling place (mostly) for the adult Jesus. But Nazareth? It turns out that Nazareth was crucial in Jesus' young, formative years. Then, Nazareth was a very small out-of-the-way village of maybe 500-700. Today Nazareth has a population of 75,000!
With Nazareth on a rocky hillside, many a renovated cave formed these early homes. The one and only spring is to be found a short distance away. It would have been to this spring that Mary would have daily traveled to get needed water. More than likely on many a day the young Jesus would have accompanied her.
While many a holy sight we've seen is "traditional," this one is "the real McCoy." If that even matters. To the Eastern Orthodox, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary here and therefore they have built a church around this well. The Western Church maintains that Gabriel visited her at her home. Here, they built a church over what presumably would have been her and Joseph's home. The first is known as the Church of St. Gabriel. The latter is the Church of the Annuciation.
But the feel of Jesus being a child at play in a small dwelling with perhaps relatives living with or beside him, makes him more identifiable. In other words, in what ways have my family nurtured me? What friends, what relatives with whom I once lived contributed to who I am now and to who I am becoming?
And, speaking of childhood and the man from Galilee, there are other children, and another man from Galilee whom I was priveleged to meet this afternon. Fr. Elias Chacour (affectionately known as Abuna "our father") has for many years founded and maintained a school for all children: Christian, Muslim, Jews and Drues. Founded on the New Testament teachings of hte Sermon on the Mount, Abuna envisions an Israel that lives in peace. Our small group felt that we were truly honored to meet a man who truly is another man "from Galilee."
It seems that it is possible to live a Christ-like life in a culture of hatred, bitterness, and division. How our group can thank God for allowing us to catch a glimpse of the Kingdom today: children of all backgrounds excited to meet and greet Americans, multicultural staff committed to teaching and living together--and a man who loves and embodies grace.
I end my day once more thankful for this generous gift that I have been given, that we have been given.
This pilgrim band blessed each other for another day, with another day---and now a sabbath day of rest for each of us begins tomorrows. God is good
All the time.
All the time
God is good!
With You on the Way,
Roy Knight
Monday, April 26, 2010
Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee- Plus
Once again, today's blog has been composed by the Reverend Ron Stone, who had promised his congregation back home that he would lift prayers for them from the Sea of Galilee....
We crossed the Sea of Galilee a day later than scheduled. Why? We had to visit Banias yesterday because the Israeli army was performing "exercises" in the area today, and travel was not permitted there. Thus, the boat ride today. While we floated on the water there were "booms" aplenty in the distance. Doesn't the world need the Prince of Peace as much as we ever have?
A pastor, as promised, prayed for members of his congregation, family and friends. He became painfully aware that there are a few on his roster about whom he knows little. Still he prayed that the Lord would draw them near him, and that they will discover his full acceptance when he does so in love.
Two native Arkansans, Fairfax and me, had planned a "hog call" as our boat neared Kursi, the location where Jesus transferred the evil spirit possessing the demoniac into a herd of swine which turned, stampeded toward the water, and drowned. The boat's crew looked at the Razorback fans as if we, like the demoniac, had lost our minds. As for casting nets into the sea? The crew was experienced, obviously, but drew in empty nets. Oh, how we wished Jesus had come along today to tell us to cast our nets on the other side! John 21 and the rest of the Gospel rightly proclaim that Jesus has unequaled ideas and action. It's always good to follow his lead!
Real worship began after "pagan worship" was over. Debbie, Dave & Glen reminded their fellow pilgrims that Jesus, with the words from Mark 4:35-41, tells us that "on the sea trouble will come, but Jesus is always with us!" It felt so right to follow with the singing of "Lord, you have come to the lakeshore looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones. You only asked me to follow humbly."
Ancient Magdala's synagogue is a brand new discovery to biblical archaelogists. Fransicscan monks, care-takers of the site, believe Jesus likely taught there. Why? He taught all around Galilee. Magdala during Jesus' time had around 40,000 inhabitants. The synagogue would have held 200 listeners who would have likely been drawn to hear a very personable rabbi who knew God, the scriptures, and people better than any other!
Claudia, our Palestinian guide, born in Nazareth, but who now resides in modern Magdala, gave us a different take on Mary Magdalene. Most westerners think she was a prostitute, although the Word never mentions she was. Claudia, a Christian sees, Mary as a prosperous woman because of what she spent on the perfume with which she annointed Jesus' feet. Our guide conjectured that Mary was a cosmetologist.
We were glad to have access to more authenticity when we went to a 21st century museum which housed a 2000 year old fishing boat excavated in 1986. There had been a severe drought that year and the waters of Galilee lowered, and there was the boast which had been protected by the seabed's sediments. The boat, when hit by air, became amazingly fragile, but 11 days later the boat was successfully lifted, conserved, and eventually placed in an atmosphere-controlled museum environment. Now, when people come to this government-owned center, the story of Jesus is told.
Just outside the museum there were sycamore trees, so perfect for sawed-off social disasters like Zaccheus and Ron Stone to climb! Isn't it something to learn that the Zaccheus story in Luke 19 encapsulates the message of the gospel: forgiveness of the past, transformation of the present and re-direction for the future made possible when we know Jesus!
Energetic Bea motivated 18 of the 26 of us to see an unplanned side-trip to Mt. Tabor, the site of Jesus' transfiguration. Jesus along with Peter, James and John also were quite energetic, even athletic, to climb 5 miles up a very steep trek. Several of us followed suit and hiked up half of the mountain. The rest, incuding me, took a cab to the top and imagined and prayed about the meaning of that mountain-top experience. It's so mystical! Do we carry his grace back down the mountain or do we remain and "build shrines" so that we can be above the needs of our brothers and sisters? Jesus had the right idea: go back down the mountian where life is complicated so that we can love God and our neighbor with all our our heart, soul, mind, and strength!
~~~Ron Stone
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