As this article posts, it is officially 6 months until I depart for Tel Aviv on this trip of a lifetime. As I have done on December 14th, January 14th and February 14th and 15th, I continue the description of the coming trip.
Day 6 (from 206 tours)
This morning we go to the village of Ein Karem to visit the Church of St John the Baptist, which marks his birthplace (Luke 1.5). Nearby is the Church of Visitation that commemorates the visit of our Blessed Mother to her cousin, Elizabeth, who stayed with her for three months (Luke 1.39). Many people pray the Mystery of the Rosary as they walk up the hill to the Church. Later drive to Bethlehem to visit the fields where the Angel appeared to the shepherds to proclaim the birth of Jesus Christ (Luke 2:8). We enter the caves where shepherds took shelter in ancient times and see the soot marks of the fires they lit to keep warm. Continue to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity. We enter the Church through the door of humility and proceed down to the Grotto of the Nativity, which marks the place of Our Saviour’s birth (Matthew 2:1-18). Beneath the altar is a silver star and a Latin inscription that states: HIC DE VIRGINE MARIA JESUS CHRISTUS NATUS (Here, Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary). Following Mass in Bethlehem, return to the hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.
It would be hard enough to comprehend that my eye's would behold all the places mentioned above but that I will behold them all in one day is just too much. The only thing that could make it better is if the visit were on December 24th or 25th. Of course, it will be a gift for me because I will now treasure the Christmas season more than ever before.
While at the Shepherd's field, I hope we will take a swing by my friends at The Rock Company. Looking up into the sky and trying to imagine where the angels were, will be fun. Recreating the scene where John was born, and Zechariah began to speak again will be cool as will seeing the spot where he leapt in Elizabeth's womb.
It's hard to imagine anything topping the joy of looking upon the exact spot where Jesus was born and then receiving Him in the Eucharist in that same little town of Bethlehem.
Day 7
Drive through the Judean wilderness, the site where Jesus spent His 40 days of fasting. We head to the Jordan River for some time to reflect on the Baptism of Christ Matthew 3:13-17). In the afternoon, we visit the Essene site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in Qumran. (Ezekiel 47:8-10). These writings have helped further the understanding of the Jewish background of Christianity. Before returning to Jerusalem, there is also time to swim or float on the Dead Sea, the lowest and saltiest place on Earth.
Day 7's events seem exciting to be sure, but the events seem more spread out and I wouldn't have it any other way. I know that I will still be processing day 6 and preparing for the events of day 8.
Visiting the Jordan river will be exciting. I wonder will see the site of the Baptism?
Transitioning from a day spent in and around the little town of Christmas, to a day dominated by the themes of Lent is going to seem surreal- like a December to March in miniature but this might end of being one of the few days during the trip where I really have the opportunity for deep meditation.
Day 8: Jerusalem: Mt. Of Olives - Gethsemane - Mt. Zion (Upper Room)
Theme: Palm Sunday and the Agony in the Garden
After breakfast, you will make your way to the Mount of Olives, where you will be able to take in the beautiful, panoramic view of Jerusalem. Historically, the Mount of Olives was a mandatory transit point for Jesus during many iconic moments. Visit the Pater Noster Shrine where Jesus taught His disciples the Lord’s Prayer (Pater Noster) (Luke 11:1-4).
You will have the opportunity to stop at Dominus Flevit which is a Church that commemorates where Jesus wept for Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). Continue on to Gethsemane, a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Jesus brought His disciples here to pray the night before He was crucified (Luke 22:29-53). The Garden still contains trees with roots that date back to the time of Jesus. Your next stop, the Church of All Nations, is built over the “Rock of Agony”. This is where Jesus prayed alone on the night of His arrest. Throughout this time, you are invited to remain in prayer and to reflect on Christ’s agony that He experienced. You will have the opportunity to visit the Western Wall, which is the last remnant of the Jewish Temple after it was destroyed in 70 A.D.
Continue with a visit to the house of the High Priest Caiaphas (Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu). This Church commemorates where Jesus was examined and eventually imprisoned before the Council in Jerusalem. It also commemorates Peter’s Denial of Christ (John 18:15-18), Peters’ repentance, and Jesus’ forgiveness of Peter. You will also visit the Upper Room on Mt. Zion. The Upper Room is where Jesus and His disciples celebrated the Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-30) and where Jesus appeared to His disciples after His Death and Resurrection (Mark 16:14). In addition, visit the nearby Benedictine Church of the Dormition. Tradition tells us that this Church is where Mary, the Mother of Jesus, “fell asleep.” At the end of this prayerful day, return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight.
The Mount of Olives is that place where Jesus gave the magnificent discourse of Matthew 25:31-46. I will carefully study the location because I will surely be there again as all of mankind is separated into groups of sheep and goats. I will surely be pondering how far into the future this event is. I feel it is closer than most people think.
Of course, the Mount of Olives is the main source of the olive wood that the Ark of the Covenant was constructed from, and it is the same wood used in many of the magnificent products sold by our friends at The Rock company.
The panoramic view of Jerusalem will surely be an image I won't forget, and I know I will try to imagine it from 2000 years ago.
To be able to recite the Our Father where Jesus taught it is too breathtaking for words.
Standing where Jesus wept for Jerusalem will be so solemn. I wonder how much He now weeps for the world.
Gethsemene is going to hit me hard. I just know it. I will feel the feelings of abandonment and isolation and I will hear Jesus words Can you not watch with me for one hour? every time I am in Adoration. I will surely pray for miracles on this trip, and this will be one of the places. There are 2000-year-old trees there. These trees witnessed His agony. Their rings hold sacred memories.
Will I stare upon a tree He stared upon? What will I feel when I look at the rock He bled upon?
Entering the upper room will be another chilling experience. The Eucharist was initiated here. Seeing the spot where Mama Mary left the earth will be a tender moment to reflect on.
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