Holy Land Pilgrimage day 8 - Holy Family

in galilee we got to listen to what Jesus taught, here in Jerusalem we must live as He lived. its all so overwhelming, i don't know how to process it all? i don't want to be out of the zone by distracting myself with anything peripherial, i must give up, surrender all to Him in every moment. i was praying in our hotel chapel when Kuhn came in and wanted me to go with him to the Seplucher (we're not supposed to go alone). the whole way there i thought of Mary Magdeline going early in the morning before dawn to the tomb- just like we are doing- asking her intercession. we got there and i had no idea how to take it in - i probably should have been silent but i prayed the office with Christ's prayer in mind before the tomb. these psalms are His prayer and i pray them in Him- yet more. He prays them in me; lying there in the tomb, having given Himself over to death, His prayer continues on as He prays in me.

in this Church, Calvary, the place Jesus died is on the right and a little to the left is the place where they laid Him, no insignificant places.

Gethsemane -

we celebrated mass at the rock where Christ prayed before His passion. Where His disciples slept and fled, where He prayed that the cup would pass Him by, where He loved the Father's will more that His own human inclinations. "Go deep" enter into the holy places, don't stand back at a distance for piety, but with filial fear go into them, to the heart. Jesus wishes to draw you deeply into His passion.

the friars let us into the garden with 2,000 year old olive trees where the 3 would have slept. then we went "about a stones throw" away where the other 9 would have been on Holy Thursday night. they must have had good arms. i think i could make the throw. they locked us in the garden where the betrayl would have taken place, others don't get to come in. "pray that you might not undergo the test. silence.

this is where i prayed for intentions today, that their faith might not fail, that they might "remain here and keep vigil with Me" Lord, strengthen our faith.

Dominus Flevit -

where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. up a steep hill opposite the old city. "they did not know the time of their visitation". its all so much at once. o Mary, help me to ponder the mystery of Jesus with you. spactacular view of the old city. to weep for they know not peace.

Church of the Ascension -

Kidron Valley - last supper route of Jesus

Pool of Siloam - Hezekiah's tunnel

rosary with verona

Holy Sepulcher -

going in here is something you want to prepare yourself for, not just walk in. i still don't know how to do that. on one level its a huge chaotic mess. dueling liturgies between the orthodox, armenians, coptics, and catholics. inside is St. Helen's chapel where the true cross was found, Adam's tomb, altar marking the place where Mary Magdeline saw the empty tomb and met the "gardener". sitting before the tomb it all seems a bit like a circus or the camel rides at the gas stations: people come in, take a picture, say they did it, and leave.

Your time, Your way O Lord. Jesus, how can i hear you in all this? so much stimulus, i can't realize where i've been. all these sites are just places, but there is so much more. i don't understand what i see and feel numb. Father, i can only sit here before Your Son, in silence and hope that You will help Your little one. Jesus, show me how to be in Jerusalem

pics - here's the few i have. i'll try to get more.

random shot of some of us on the steps at the Holy Sepulcher

garden of gethsemane

galilee - eremos cave