Holy Land Pilgrimage 2011
August 28
Sunday in Nablus saw a more leisurely start to our day Mass was at 11.00am local time not 10.00. This was because the Palestinians have put the clocks forward a hour for Ramadan to give the people an hour less fasting time. We joined the parishioners of St Justin's with Frs Johny, Mark and Neil concelebrating. We were made most welcome by our fellow Christians in their joyous witness singing and chanting their mass, at the end of the service we progressed to the new "garden area" being formally opened that day. The pleasure that this wole project has given to our friends in Nablus is highly rewarding. I was surprised to learn that the population of Nablus is 700 000 - nearly twice the size of Liverpool - with only 700 remaining Christians.
Our next call was at Jacob's Well, the very spot in Nabkus where Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman. When Jesus treated her with respect and kindness she became a believer and encouraged many others to join her in following Christ. We were treated to a wonderful lunch by the people of St Justin's before we sadly took our farewells and left for the next stage of our journey to follow the footsteps of Jesus around Galilee.
We descended from the mountains for the lengthy drive along the Jordan Valley. As we passed again from occupied territory back into Israel proper we had the pleasure of yet another armed checkpoint at which stage we would have been refused entry had we been Palestinians. Driving on towards Tiberius we came to the Edge of Lake Galilee and headed along the shore road towards our final hotel destination. The usual sights of any beachside destination were there; parasols, sunbeds, campsites, water parks and watersports as this is where many (especially wealthy) Israelis come to play in the summer heat. Soon we were passing shops and stalls that could have been seen at any resort on any continent including candy floss and water wings!
The heat as we left the bus was stifling and the contrast as we walked into the air conditioned hotel was not confined only to the temperature. Signs of wealth and prosperity were everywhere and the hotel could have been anywhere in the world. The expensive cars, large houses and a rash of hotels contrasted sharply the poorer conditions we had left behind in Arab territories.
Next month the United Nations will decide whether or not to recognise the Palestinian territories as a sovereign country. If they do it will help with treaty negotiations as the status of Nationhood is a better position from which to negotiate. I would ask you to pray that a fair and just decision is made. Our friends here pray for us daily in thanks, please pray for our pilgrim party and for them.
God bless.
A Pilgrim
Photogallery
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