A Day at the [Dead] Sea

After Morning Prayer and Mass, we travelled to Qumran in the Judean Wilderness, about a mile from the shore of the Dead Sea. Likely, Qumran was home to a Jewish-sect called the Essenes. Essenes lived in community like monks. They also created the Dead Sea scrolls, which contain some of the earliest writings of the Old Testament. Found in the mid-20th century nearly 900 scrolls were discovered hidden in the caves above Qumran untouched for nearly 2,000 years. Among the scrolls are previously unknown prayers, commentaries and even “The Great Isaiah Scroll” the largest and best-preserved.

After Qumran we drove a short distance to swim at a beach along the shore of the Dead Sea. More precisely – we floated. The Dead Sea is the Earth’s lowest elevation on land and is over nine times as salty as the ocean. Meaning - once you step into the water and lay on you back, your body is supported and effortlessly floats on the surface. We were thankful for great weather and the break and enjoyedthe water. Thank you for you continued prayers. And know that we pray for you. God Bless!

The Source and Summit of Our Faith

We have seen many amazing holy places in our time here in the Holy Land. We have visited the place where Mary said yes to the angel Gabriel, and where our Lord was born. The places where our Lord started his ministry in Galilee, we have visited. And now we are here in Jerusalem, where our Lord was crucified and raised from the dead. It can be difficult at certain sites to meditate on what exactly they used to look like in the time of Jesus and his disciples.  However, despite all the new scenery and experiences, a constant devotion to prayer has kept us grounded and attentive.  One of the most cherished aspects has been Eucharistic adoration, something we have tried to maintain just as we do back home.  While the Holy sites are amazing in their own right, the source and summit of our faith still reigns supreme in the hearts of the 3rd theology class. Time in front of the Blessed Sacrament allows us to remove the distractions and revisit the Holy sites in silence within our memory.  Some places look like you might imagine, such as the Sea of Galilee. However, the Nativity and the Holy Sepulcher both look different, because they have been completely enshrined by basilicas over the years. Whether we ever return to these sites or whether we find ourselves describing them to people who will never have the opportunity themselves, our relationship with God flows from the Eucharist, something we all can cherish wherever we find ourselves. 

The Silence of Gethsemane

The Silence of Gethsemane

Is has been a week since we have settled in Jerusalem and by this time everybody usually finds his favorite place for prayer. And although the first place which comes to mind as the best for prayer is the Holy Sepulcher, with its being the place of the Crucifixion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, it is not my choice. The place which really spoke to my heart is the Basilica of Gethsemane, the place of Our Lord's agony.

Before the torments of scourging, humiliation, carrying the cross, being nailing to it, and death happened, Jesus was praying to His Father in the silence of the Garden of Gethsemane, with the company of Peter, James, and John. We can read that account in the Gospel's of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Let's here the account of Mark, in Mk 14,32-42:

"Then they came to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be troubled and distressed. Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch." He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will." When he returned he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing. Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open and did not know what to answer him. He returned a third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. See, my betrayer is at hand."

This scene always strikes me with the humanity of Jesus. He, anticipating his suffering and death, struggles with the upcoming torment he will have to endure. Jesus, in this terrifying moment, turns to the Father, and with filial openness asks Him to take away the cup, meaning the suffering that is awaiting him. Jesus, the Son of God, is scared to death. And in this moment he accepts the will of the Father - "not what I will, but what you will."

The ominous atmosphere the of Jesus' internal struggle is perfectly captured in the Basilica of Gethsemane, designed by the Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi. Barluzzi designed many of the churches in the sacred places in Holy Land, but I would say that the Gethsemane Basilica is my favorite. The church inside is in deep blue and purple colors, which reminds of the evening when Jesus came to Mount of Olives after the Last Supper. The top of each column supporting the ceiling is pictured as the olive tree, which gives an impression that we entered with Jesus into the Garden of Gethsemane. The main mosaic in the center presents Jesus praying to the Father, and above that scene there is an Angel who supported Jesus in his agony (Lk 22:43). On the left side there is a depiction of Judas' kiss, which pointed Jesus to the soldiers to arrest the Christ. On the right side, however, is the scene derived from the Gospel of John, where Jesus pronounces the I AM to the soldiers who came to capture him (Jn 18: 4-8). In front of the altar is highlighted the stone on which Jesus was praying in his agony.

There is one more aspect which makes this place so special - silence. Surprisingly, silence is not that obvious in most of the holy places in Jerusalem. Many times prayer is interrupted by other groups of pilgrims coming and going, guides explaining the importance of these places, and murmur of conversations. Not so much in the Basilica of Gethsemane - even with tourists, the atmosphere of reflection and prayer in most of the times kept. It feels that the event of Jesus' prayer in his last hours brings everybody to silence and prayer.
Gethsemane is a very special place for me. It is the place of great trust in God in the face of inevitable pain and suffering. It is also a place of hope, that after the darkness of abandonment comes the light of Resurrection. In a way, the silence of Gethsemane prepares the shouts of joy in the Holy Sepulcher. 

Shalom!

 “For the peace of Jerusalem pray, may they prosper, those who love you. May peace abide in your walls” (Psalm 122).

          Shalom! This is how the Jewish people greet each other, with the word “peace.” The Muslims use the Arabic word salaam in the same way. It is not hard to see why this is a standard greeting for them given the violence that has plagued this region of the world. The sites we visited today were reminders of that deep longing for peace among the people here and at the same time how fragile the current peace is.

          Our guide took us out early in the morning for a tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. Our first major stop was at the Temple Mount, where the Temple, the center of Jewish worship, had previously stood. This is where Abraham demonstrated his faith by offering his own son to God, though not killing him because of the angel’s intervention. Now there stands the Dome of the Rock, a Muslim shrine memorializing their belief in Muhammad’s vision/mystical journey in which he traveled to Jerusalem and was ascended into heaven. This shrine has stood since 691 A.D. It is considered the third holiest site for Muslims.

          After seeing the top of the Temple Mount, we visited the Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall. This is all that is left of the outer retaining wall that supported the Second Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. Despite the rain, there were still a number of Jews praying at the Wall. We too approached the Wall to pray. No doubt many of us prayed for peace here in the Holy Land. The Temple was the most important site for the Jews. It represented the presence of God in their midst. This land in general is so important for the Jewish people because the promises of God as they read them are tied to this land, especially Jerusalem.
        That these two major religions hold such great value to these sites yet in different ways, has led to continuous tension and at times violent outbreaks. As men preparing for priesthood we will be called upon to be ministers of peace, to allow peace, which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit to flourish in human hearts. Peace in the heart is the foundation for all external peace. Let us pray that the Prince of Peace may reign in our own hearts. Only then can we be instruments of the Spirit’s peace to others.

The Power of the Empty Tomb

"Because my friends, we do believe in the empty tomb.  We do believe that Jesus Christ has risen."  These powerful words were spoken to us by our tour guide a couple of weeks ago.  Now that we have arrived in Jerusalem, the power of these words has been realized.  Last week we celebrated Mass on Calvary.  Today, we had the chance to celebrate Mass in the Holy Sepulcher; the empty tomb of Christ.  It was there that these words came back to mind.  "Because my friends, we do believe in the empty tomb."   

            Before Jesus rose from the dead, only one apostle remained with Christ.  One Apostle clung to Christ with every fiber of his being and offered up his entire soul to the Lord. That Apostle was John.  The rest abandoned Christ.  They left.  They did not remain.

            But then Peter, John, and Mary Magdalene discover the empty tomb.  This time the one who remains is Mary.  The other "disciples went back to their homes" (Jn 20:10). Why does she stay?  She stays because of the depth of her love for the Lord. She does not yet realize that he has risen, instead she is distraught that "they have taken away her Lord" (John 20:13). And then, Christ comes to her.  At first she does not recognize him, but then he proclaims her name and immediately she recognizes that it is the Lord.  The Lord rewards her immense love with a task.  He tells her to go and announce that he has risen from the dead.  "Go and announce it to my brothers. For in this do resurrection and life consist: in further proclaiming the Good News, in carrying on the flame, in being a useful instrument in my hand that I may build up my kingdom in men's hearts, in letting my Heart go on beating in yours" (Balthasar). So she goes and delights in being used by her Lord to bring the Good News of the Resurrection to her brothers; the apostles.

The apostles, however, are hidden.  They don't want to be found.  They have heard the rumor from Mary, Peter, and John that Christ's tomb was empty.  They want to believe Christ is alive, but at the same time it terrifies them!  They left him to die on the Cross alone.  Then suddenly, he appears to them even though their door was locked; now somehow he is there.  What follows no one can imagine.  Christ "stood there in their midst and greeted them: 'Peace be with you!'" These words were more than a mere greeting.  To be more exact, these words brought healing.  The apostles, once afraid and full of guilt and shame for abandoning Jesus, were now standing in the midst of the resurrected Christ receiving his forgiveness.  And now they could "rejoice" (John 20:20).

The greatest act in human history takes place: Christ, the God-man, rises from the dead.  He overcomes death, he overcomes sin, and he overcomes sin's disgrace.  He first brings this news to the apostles.  He reminds them of his love for them in his greeting, "Peace be with you".  His presence is the sign that he has defeated death and they have no reason to fear.  But that's not all.  The Resurrection of Christ gives us "the power to become children of God" (John 1:12). So Jesus sends his apostles. "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” This time they would respond to Jesus' call for mission.  They would not leave him.  Instead, they "were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31).

Dear friends, this is why we want to be priests.  It is a response to encountering love personified. This was the experience we had today.  The Mass in Jesus' tomb reminds us that Jesus Christ has saved us, Jesus Christ loves us, and thus, Jesus sends us to bring his loving heart into the world.  This, my friends, is because we do believe in the empty tomb.  We do believe that Jesus Christ has risen."

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Since our arrival in Jerusalem, The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, only a 10-minute walk from where we are staying, has been a preferred site for an early morning holy hour for many of us. Observing my brother seminarians, I have noticed that upon arrival the immediate draw is to the top of Calvary. Once the site of the Crucifixion, this spot has been reverenced ever since, and some of us spend the remainder of their time there in prayer, while others might go off to one of the other chapels within the church to pray. There is one chapel that I have found particularly conducive to meditation, providing a rich source of theological reflection – The Chapel of Adam.



The Chapel of Adam is located directly below Calvary, or Golgotha (the place of the skull). The Chapel Adam features a window in the back of its sanctuary that reveals a crack in the rock which runs all the way down from Calvary above to this site in the chapel below. The belief is that Adam’s tomb was located here, directly beneath the site of Our Lord’s crucifixion, thus, upon Jesus’ death on the cross, an earthquake split the rock on Calvary (Matthew 27:51-52), and Our Lord’s blood flowed into the cracked rock onto the bones of Adam.

Was Golgotha the actual site of Adam’s tomb? This belief, though highly contested, was posited as early as the 2nd century by Origen, based on what he interpreted as a Hebrew tradition about the location of Adam’s tomb.

We will probably never know the exact location of Adam’s tomb. Nonetheless, the image of the New Adam’s blood flowing directly down upon the remains of the Old Adam is powerful, reminding us that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

The idea that Adam's remains lie directly beneath the site of the Crucifixion has often been depicted by a skull at the foot of the cross in many paintings and icons as well.

As future priests, we thank all of our benefactors for enabling us to climb Calvary every morning to kneel at the foot of the cross. May God bless you in your charity, and may he also bless the Church with more vocations to the priesthood through the blood of His cross.

A Different Saturday

Museums are intriguing places to visit, not just because of what they contain, but also because of how they weave a story together with what they contain. You can tell a lot about a place just by how their museums tell their national story. On Saturday, we visited the Israeli Museum here in Jerusalem. The most important part of the museum is dedicated to the various ancient scrolls and codices (books) that are the foundation of the Old Testament. In other words, they ground the religious and historical identity of Israel as a nation.

However, I spent most of my time in the fine arts wing, which is on the same campus. Most of the exhibits did not focus on the history of Western art (as we are used to in the US), but on Israeli identity. What does it mean to be an Israeli? What does it mean to be a Jewish nation? It was a fascinating question that was answered in various ways through different works of art. Yet, I think that this question was answered later in the day as I walked down the main street of downtown Jerusalem during Shabbat.

Shabbat, or Sabbath, is observed from sundown Friday to sundown on Saturday. During this time everything in Jerusalem shuts down and the streets are nearly free of cars. Everyone is walking and a silence ensues. To see a normally bustling main street filled with trendy shops, upscale cafe's totally closed, and silence permeating the urban ambiance is something an American is not used to. The observance of the commandments and laws of Moses are what seem to give this city its identity. This may seem obvious to some, since Jerusalem is the center of religious life for Jews around the world, however, to see it lived concretely is a completely different thing.

Having the Sabbath not on a Sunday and being surrounded by an observant Jewish culture is a little disorienting. It is perhaps just as disorienting as the streets in the Old City (within the walls). Yet, as a Christian, I can't help but think that there is a connection to this culture, to these people. There is a unity of the rhythm of life and a unity of heart. When I see observant Jews praying at the Western Wall or observing Shabbat, I feel like a child again. It is like looking at my parents while they talk to each other and converse, and even if I don't understand everything they're talking about, I feel that I am a part of them in some way.

The Way of the Cross in Jerusalem

      Every Friday during Lent hundreds of pilgrims gather to retrace the last steps of Christ.This Friday about 15 of us joined the throng of people who would meander through the streets of the Old City of Jerusalem, reliving the path Christ took to his death. For over 500 years now, the Franciscan friars have been in charge of leading this procession. We arrived at Station 1 early to see just a handful of people who were beginning to gather. But it didn't take long before the plaza became full, full of people from literally all over the world. I saw Portuguese, Polish, Filipinos, Nigerians, Irish, Mexicans and even some Californians, and those were just some of the languages I heard or flags I saw. Also mixed in were men and women from the religious orders. The largest group by far were the Franciscans  in their brown habits, but I also saw many different women orders, such as Mother Teresa's order, the Missionaries of Charity in their distinctive white and blue habits. Then promptly at 3 pm the Stations of the Cross began, starting in the location where the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate condemned Christ to death. From there we made our way through the narrow and crowded streets of the Old City going station by station, praying and calling to mind the Passion of Our Lord. Recalling His falls, the forced help of Simon the Cyrene, the blows from the soldiers and the loving gaze of His Mother. 

      Eventually we made our way to the final stations which reside in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, an absolutely huge church built over the location where Christ was crucified and laid in the tomb. The whole procession was quite the experience, because most of the time I had no idea what was going on, the prayers were in Arabic and Latin for the most part, sometimes I wasn't sure which of the fourteen Stations we were at, and sometimes you would get separated from the group and would have to scramble just to get back into the procession. Besides the surface level confusion I was experiencing, it was beautiful and amazing to see so many people from every corner of the world coming together, united in their prayer and love for the God man who died for them. Strangers in a foreign land, but walking together in the same direction because of an event that happened 2,000 years ago. Every single one of us, carrying our own unique crosses but still full of hope because we know His death leads to our salvation. It was a powerful experience, one of the blessings of being in the Holy Land for an extended period. So, if you happen to find yourself at your local parish's Stations of the Cross next Friday, know that in the streets of Jerusalem hundreds of people will be in solidarity with you.

[Early] Mass at Calvary

An early morning rise! That was how this beautiful day met our eyes. And, bearing in mind the numbers of the pilgrims that stream into the Holy Sepulchre each day, That made perfect sense!
Luke, Matt, Andy and Clay, all of us, along with other brothers and sisters while it was still dark, went rushing into the Holy Sepulchre early in the day; and like the women from Galilee where we had spent the last days, hearts full of spices and perfumes prepared, found to our joy and amazement that the stone had been rolled away! Overfilled with joy we recalled what He said, that this Temple he will destroy and rebuild in three days;

That made perfect sense!

With delighted hearts we ran into the Holy Sepulchre and behold men with dazzling garments in His persona they came, in red robes they led us into worship and praise of the Risen Lord, an encounter to remind us of our faith, that in life and death in the Lord we remain. Fr. Duran the main celebrant with Fr. Fuller on his flank, Fr. Lodge to us the glad tidings he relayed, what St. Paul had preached to the Jews and gentiles that with the Resurrection of Christ the Cross we’ve embraced and;

That made perfect sense!

We left with joyful hearts, the Lord, having tasted and seen, his words we heard that no snoring could cease, Go forth with zeal to glorify the Lord, with our lives proclaim to the many we see, that whose side they did pierce and spit on his face, many are coming from Mundelein yearly to kiss and embrace, I ask Oh pilgrim, why spring and not fall; soon many amongst us in his persona will proclaim;

That made perfect sense!

As for the rest of the day the streets of Jerusalem we trod, site to site with curious and willing hearts we seek, from cafeterias and walkways to ice-cream parlors they probe, "Where are you from?" Inquisitively they ask, from Mundelein we say, but at the same time wonder, the delight and bliss that their faces convey.

That doesn’t make sense!

But as the evening comes and the day is about to rest, after the evening prayer when everyone is about to ingest, I think of the day and how blessed we have been, I have no words to express but to Fr. Lodge I beckon, tomorrow he says, first day in class with grace;

That will make perfect sense!

The House of Saint Peter

The Home of St Peter


Today we had the opportunity to visit Capernaum and have mass in a church that was built right over the ruins of St. Peter’s house. As scripture tells us, after Jesus left Nazareth he came to the region of Galilee and began to call his disciples. Most notably of these was Simon, son of John, whom he would later call Peter and give him the keys to heaven. Peter’s house has special meaning for Christians because of the many miracles performed in Capernaum. So, much meaning that one translation of the name of Capernaum is The Village of Consolations. The two miracles that I reflected upon are the curing of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, and the curing of the paralytic.

Not many people knew of Jesus when he arrived in Galilee, but after he cured Simon Peter’s mother-in-law people flocked to his house in order that they too may be healed. The house is rather small and unassuming, yet it was no match for the faith of some people. We know that the friends of the paralytic could not get him inside because of the crowds, so they broke through the roof and lowered him down. What we don’t realize is that this roof was not made of sticks and straw, or any other flimsy material. There are seven layers of cement, each thirty centimeters thick, placed over each other to prevent any water from leaking through. This was not a simple task for those friends to accomplish, nor was is it a simple “Thank you for healing our friend, we’ll be on our way!” Once the roof was damaged, it was not reparable, but had to be torn down and rebuilt anew. This was the faith they had in Jesus, and the love they had for their friend. Could we say we have the same devotion ourselves? The house that saw such faith and love later became a holy place for early Christianity and had a church built around the house. It became a house of prayer for Christians who could not openly practice their faith.

Next to this house there is a first century synagogue floor upon which we believe Jesus taught and performed other signs and wonders. It is here in Capernaum that Jesus dwelt and lived. This place became Jesus’s city and is now a reminder of how important our faith should be. Let no obstacle stop us from reaching out to Jesus in our time of need, no matter how many layers there may be, always push through for our Lord is always waiting to heal us.

Breaking the Cycle

       

          Today we visited the Mount of Beatitudes and were given a couple of hours to spend in silent reflection. During Father’s homily at Mass, he offered us an insight on the beatitudes that I would like to share. Father told us that The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-11) were not prescriptions: “do this, and you will receive that,” but instead they described that, as Christians, we are blessed. I left mass a bit confused as to what he meant. As I pondered on what he had said, during my time in reflection, what came to mind was the following insight: that the Beatitudes are cycles of love which undo the cycles of sin. When, as broken human beings, we fall into sin, the evil one jumps on the opportunity to make us feel guilty, ashamed, and sometimes he fools us into believing that what we have done is so bad, we are rendered unforgivable. Believing ourselves unforgivable, we are discouraged to keep fighting against sin and temptations, we are weak and fall into sin again; and so the cycle of sin and death begins. Here is where the cycles of love, The Beatitudes, undo the cycle of sin. 

             They are not prescriptions, like I mentioned earlier. Sometimes, when we are deep in the cycle of sin, we don't have the charity needed to be merciful, or we don’t have the purity of heart we need to “see God” in others or events. So, how do they undo the cycle of sin? Well, the answer is in what Father told us; we must first realize that the Beatitudes describe that we are blessed. We are blessed because we have been shown mercy first by God, and so encouraged by His to mercy to us, by the joy it brings us, we come to see how blessed we are and from there a desire grows in us to become instruments of mercy to others. We are called “sons of God” by virtue of our Baptism, and so inspired by that love that God has for us, we seek to make peace. We know that our Heavenly Father is always ready to comfort us, we are inspired to comfort others, and thus inspire others to comfort us as well. 

             With all of this in mind, I ponder a very real and current situation today where we find two parties deep in the a cycle of violence, a cycle of sin: Israel and Palestine. Both sides have their rights, have their dignity, and are both important in the eyes of God. So, how can these two parties apply the Beatitudes to break this vicious cycle they find themselves trapped in? Maybe the answer lies in the youth and new generations who possibly find themselves further away from the initial days this vicious cycle began, recognizing the need for peace, for mercy, to bring an end to the pain that this war has caused their generation and hopefully seek to somehow be reconciled with their enemies. The answer is a tough one to come to, but as St. Paul once said, “where sin abides, grace abounds all the more” and so we hope that somehow the cycles of love may always triumph over sin whether in our own hearts or here in the Holy Land.

Magdala, Dan, and Caesarea Phillipi.

Today we visited Magdala (the hometown of Mary Magdalene and the location of a 1st Century synagogue), Dan (a city established by the Tribe of Dan, home of a Northern Kingdom temple and a 2nd Millennium BC mud-brick gate), and Caesarea Phillipi (where Jesus said “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church”). Yes, it was a big day. Here are three brief “takeaways” from each place: 

Magdala: The super new (especially by Holy Land standards) church at Magdala makes a special point of celebrating the men and women followers of Christ. On the one hand, the church is located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, which causes one to think of the calling of the Apostles, and this event is celebrated in the large chapel, with depictions of each of the apostles (including Judas Iscariot, who serves as a reminder that even those called by Christ must be on guard against the Evil One). On the other hand, the church is built in the home town of Mary Magdalene, who herself was more faithful in following Christ than most of the Apostles; she and the other women disciples are commemorated on the pillars under the main dome of the church, and above this dome appears a modified quote from Pope St. John Paul II’s encyclical on the Dignity of Women (#31): “In this holy place, the Church desires to give thanks to the Most Holy Trinity for the ‘mystery of woman’ and for every woman - for that which constitutes the eternal measure of her feminine dignity, for the ‘great works of God’, which throughout human history have been accomplished in and through her.”
St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us! 

Dan: Archeologists have uncovered a mud-brick city gate from the time of Abraham. Abraham. 2,000 years before Christ. Abraham! Humanity never ceases to amaze me. How arrogant we are to think that we are so different from those who came before us. Gazing on that gate was incredible. 

Caesarea Phillipi: You have probably heard in a homily that Peter’s great profession of faith, and his renaming, took place in front of an impressive rock cliff, which is why Jesus is talking so much about rocks. True enough. But did you know that built into that cliff were multiple pagan temples, one of which featured infant sacrifice? When Jesus asks “Who do people/you say that I am?” there are a few different options available to the Apostles: Pan. Zeus. Caesar. Nimrod. All these “churches” are built into the rock. But Peter chooses wisely. Jesus is not a demigod, or even a prophet to be honored. He is “the Holy One of God”. It is on this profession of faith, of which Peter and his successors are the guardians, that Christ has built His Church. As long as we proclaim Christ, and Christ alone, as Lord, the gates of Hell and the forces of evil cannot withstand us.

Rest on the Sea of Galilee

Today was a beautiful day around the Sea of Galilee with incredible warm, 60-degree weather. We visited The Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish in Tabgah. We had the opportunity to attend mass there in the German language with the Benedictine monks. According to ancient tradition this was the spot that Jesus fed the multitudes with 5 loaves of bread and two fish (Mathew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-46). Our guide pointed out that the 12 baskets gathered from the left overs signified the 12 tribes of Israel being the first to be called by Jesus. 

We also visited the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter (John 21:15,17). This is the place where Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Peter responded, “Lord you know that I love you.” Each time Jesus instructed Peter to “Feed my sheep.” We had a long time to pray facing the Sea of Galilee at this spot.

Something Smells Fishy

Today was another beautiful day in the Holy Land. We completed our stay in Nazareth and traveled to the Sea of Galilee where we begin the second half of our pilgrimage. The drive was easy. We started by ascending a mountain near the Sea Galilee. From this vantage we saw Tiberius, Mount Tabor, Mount of Beatitudes, Mount Hermon, Capernaum and other places. The view was beautiful as we reflected on Jesus’ ministry in the region.

Next, we travelled to Tiberias and celebrated Mass at St. Peter’s parish. Afterwards we saw a 1st century fishing vessel and took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. The water was peaceful. On the ride we meditated on the events of Jesus calming the sea and walking on the water.

Once the ride was over, we ate lunch. Many of us ate “St. Peter’s Fish". This is local tradition in which the fish is cooked with the skin and head still intact. This is not everyone’s cup of tea, but those who ordered the meal liked it. The meal is certainly an experience of a life time.

After lunch we finished our travels for the day and arrived at our residence for the remainder of our stay in Galilee. Our accommodations are at a beautiful pilgrimage house on the Sea of Galilee. As I sat on the patio that overlooked the sea and the sun began to disappear, the birds chirped and fish began to jump out of the water, and a slight breeze blew. It was a peaceful time allowing me to quietly reflect on the day, absorb the events of this life-changing pilgrimage, and pray.

Mary, Star of the Sea, Pray for Us!

Today we walked the streets of Haifa and Akko, seeing and smelling numerous things such as pomegranates, sea bass, pickles, and falafel, but I will remember it most for the etymology lesson that our guide Hani gave us. He said that the Hebrew word “mir” means star and the word “yam” means sea, and therefore the name “Miryam” means star of the sea. Miryam is the Hebrew name for Mary, the Mother of God, and our Star of the Sea. How beautiful is that? The name of Mary, our lady and mother is the star of the sea. Stella Maris is the title in Latin, and this is the name of the Carmelite Monastery which crowns Mount Carmel. 

Along the path to priesthood, Mary has played a significant role in many of our lives. I always think this is at least partially because seminarians often have holy mothers who pray fervently for us, their boys (don’t worry moms, we miss you too).

The fact is, God chose Mary, a lowly, young virgin in Nazareth to bear the Son of God. This is the beautiful mystery we ponder in Nazareth. Mary said yes to the will of God despite all of her fears, and this is the mystery we ponder in our own lives as we are on the brink of saying yes to God’s will at ordination. The Star of the Sea guides us on through the waves and breakers of the storm, and we trust that she, who reflects the bright light of her Son always, will lead us straight to Him. Some in our group have even pointed out how the dome of the Basilica of the Annunciation looks just like a Lighthouse.

This is the great and beautiful way we are walking here in Nazareth of Galilee. Through the mysteries of the Rosary, we enter into the mysteries of Christ’s life through Mary’s eyes, and now as we walk in his footsteps, I find myself pondering all that she first pondered in heart. How can it be that God took flesh? What is the meaning of this strong, peaceful and merciful God-man who brings life to so many? Who is Jesus and what does He ask of me?

Mary, Star of the Sea, guide us in the steps of your Son so that we may be more like Him, and lead us to his compassionate, merciful, and Sacred Heart. Then guide us home to our loved ones and those we are called to serve in the years to come. Stella Maris, Pray for us.

“Lord, it is good for us to be here…” (Matt 17:4)

Today we visited Mount Tabor where Jesus was transfigured, and we had Mass at the Basilica of the Transfiguration. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the transfiguration as “the mysterious event in which Jesus…was transformed in appearance…as a moment of disclosure of his divine glory.” Matt 17:1-8 describes the scene where Jesus was transfigured, and Peter, as well as the other disciples who accompanied Him, were transformed by what they witnessed up on the mountain. Peter probably had just had the best experience of his life. He was enjoying a moment of heaven as he witnessed God's glory. In seeing Jesus’ transfiguration, Peter saw Jesus’ true divinity.

Our Holy Land pilgrimage has provided us with many experiences that we all, at some point in our journey just like Peter, have experienced brief moments of God’s glory. God is so good to us that He constantly gives us a taste of His heavenly glory. For us third year men, this Holy Land experience has been full of many transformative opportunities during our visits to the holy sites. Having all these experiences, we also think of those spiritual experiences in our lives that have transformed us. Those experiences when we have felt God’s presence shining upon us. Perhaps it was a spiritual experience when we first felt God’s call or during prayer when we felt so comfortable, just like Peter, and wanted to remain there experiencing God’s glory. It is precisely in those moments when we feel peace in our hearts or that burning feeling inside us that is difficult to explain. When we are in that state of blessedness and so close to God, we do not want to go down the mountain to our normal routine. All these moments of transformation are necessary in our lives because they give us a taste of how heaven is going to be. The presence of God’s glory is the final goal of our lives.  This past month in the Holy Land, God has been showering us with countless blessings. He has been giving us new insights and preparing us with new experiences to go back to seminary and be ready for our upcoming ordinations.

We must go back down the mountain, our Holy Land experience, and we must take all these spiritual experiences into our daily lives, to the seminary community, to our family, friends and to our future ministries. Our experiences in the Holy Land, on Mount Tabor, and all the holy sites with Jesus definitely strengthen our faith. Whenever Jesus invites us up to the mountain to be closer to Him, we must have the confidence that He has something beautiful awaiting for us. Thus, if we are faithful to the teaching and guidance of Jesus, He will be faithful to us, and at the end of our journey, we will make a tent that will last forever, enjoying God’s glory.