Prayers for Healing
Today was another full day of pilgrimage that took us to holy sites of three major religions. We began our day with a visit to the Western Wall, where we were met with many young men celebrating bar mitzvahs with their families. I spent a few minutes at the wall praying for several people who have asked for prayers, but most especially for a path to peace in this land.
Next was a visit to what used to be the Temple Mount, that is now the third holiest place for the religion of Islam. Only Muslims are allowed now to visit inside the buildings of the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa, but it is still one of the most beautiful places in Jerusalem and even with the tension that always seems present, I was glad for the visit.
The highlight of the day for me, and it seems for many in our group, was the opportunity to celebrate mass at the Church of All Nations. This church is located at the base of the Mount of Olives next to the Garden of Gethsemane. It was in this place that Jesus prayed on the night before his death, sweat turning to blood, as he asked his Father to allow what was before him to pass. It is the place of his betrayal by his friend Judas, and ultimately the place where he chose to fulfill his role as savior of the world.
It was very powerful to celebrate the mass in this place and to be reminded of the many ways I betray God when I am not willing to be the person he has created me to be. It was also good to remember the example set by Christ when he put his Father’s will above his own temptations to do otherwise. We also were given the sad news before this mass that our guide, Muchul had been informed that his wife has been diagnosed with cancer. We celebrated this mass for he and his wife and were able to support him throughout the rest of the day. I hope that you will keep both of them in your prayers.
We spent this afternoon at various spots on the Mount of Olives, ending up back at the Church of All Nations. My second highlight of the day came as several of us decided to walk home, rather than taking the bus. Walking gave us the opportunity to visit the Greek Orthodox shrine dedicated to the Dormition of Mary, as well as taking a walk through the Old City as we made our way back to our hotel.
I am sure that we will all sleep well tonight until we are awakened very early tomorrow for our walk along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
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