We had a very packed day which I am sure every day will be. Without going through every detail, I'll highlight a few of my favorites.
Started on the Mount of Olives which overlooks old Jerusalem, a city which has four sections of four peoples. One thing I am learning is how much I do not know about this land and culture.... We then quickly wove our way through the Muslim sector of Old Jerusalem to the Christian sector and the Church of the Flaggelation. There Father Pat said Mass which was wonderful way to start. We'll return there on Saturday to experience all the Stations of the Cross.
The Wailing Wall or the Western Wall was very moving as pilgrims from all over prayed and put their prayers on small bits of paper into crack in the wall. As I prayed I felt something wet on my arm, thinking perhaps it was a tear and then checked it and low and behold, a bird had left me a special gift. I'm going to just consider it a message from the Holy Spirit that my prayers were answered.
Then across the border to Palestine, a new tour guide as juke is Israeli and she can't enter Palestine. Another amazing place was the Sheppards field where ( as the guide keeps say "it was reported" because we don't know exact locations) the angels appeared to the sheppards.
John Carey was in town so our schedule was a bit thrown off.... We were postponed on our visit to Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity where it is reported that Christ was born.We wove our way down to a narrow dark cave like place to a spot where the birth and the manger was thought to be. That also was amazing and it all leaves one a bit dumbfounded.
No taking on the town as the jet lag and long day left us all a bit exhausted. Sat on the patio of the hotel with the group reliving the day........
Amazing, blessed and gifted.......
Pictures: view of old Jerusalem from Mt of Olives
Wailing Wall with Karen
Sheppards Field
Location of Jesus birth
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