Holy Land Pilgrimage 2011
August 27
Another early start saw us leave the Hotel and head into the Old City for the last time. The city had been buzzing into the early hours of that morning. As it was the Jewish Sabbath no municipal cleaning had been done so we had to pick our way through last nights litter as we headed for the Via Dolorosa to retrace Christ's last steps before his crucifixion. Although it was still early we carried out our devotions amongst an ever growing crowd of mainly Muslim citizens going about their business. Still, this must have been very similar to the noise, bustle and jostling going on as Jesus made that same journey. On we went climbing through narrow streets lined with stalls till we arrived at the relative sanctuary of the Holy Sepulchre roof for the final four devotions.
We then celebrated Mass in the Crusader Chapel and, as I sat down after Communion, the realisation came over me that near the very spot of Our Lord's death I had received his Precious Body and Blood. At that moment of silence post communion I would have happily stayed in there reflecting for as long as was possible as I experienced a moment of closeness to God that I have never felt before.
With some disappointment it was necessary to leave that place and finish our visit to the Church. We joined the crowd of people waiting to go into the tiny space that contained a marble slab believed to represent the place where the body of Jesus was laid. Whilst I joined in the veneration in this cramped space, holding only four at a time, and being hurried on by the Orthodox Priest, I felt the fact that I had recently received Communion to be far more significant.
Jericho! Below sea level, temperature forty something silly! A good lunch and a fabulous cable car ride up to the top of the Mount of Temptation more than made up for the fact that the monastery at the top was closed.
On our way to Nablus we attempted to visit the site of The Baptism of Our Lord on the Jordan River. Alas! It now in a Militarised Zone and the Guard refused us passage. So we headed onwards. The landscape becoming drier and more barren all the time until it almost resembled a lunar landscape in places. The only break in this desert land were the lush irrigated plantations operated by the Israelis who control the water supplies. Then a long haul up the mountains until it levelled off into land that would now support vast olive groves.
Nablus was not what I expected, being a large city with the usual contrasts between it's various districts. We have just returned from a visit to St Justins centre. The whole set up is fabulous and we will part of the inauguration of the new garden area tomorrow.
Tomorrow is Sunday, please keep us in your prayers as we join with our fellow Christians here for Holy Mass where we will pray for you.
A Pilgrim
Photogallery
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