Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!
This morning we were awakened at 3:45 in the morning to begin our walk of the Via Dolorosa. The Via Dolorosa is a path through Jerusalem which marks the journey of Jesus as he carried his cross. Since pilgrims began journeying to Jerusalem it has been a tradition to walk this Way of the Cross which led to the creation of Stations of the Cross in church buildings throughout the world so that all Christians would be able to symbolically walk where Jesus did and to pray with Him along the way. I was very moved by Fr. Michael Woods, who led us in our prayer throughout the streets of Jerusalem. At one point on our journey he mentioned that we are called to be people of mercy. “Mercy in the Latin is translated as misericordia,” he said, “which is the combination of two words meaning sorrowful heart. When we give mercy to another we take upon ourselves the sorrowful heart of another as if it were our own.” As we prayed together, we remembered that Jesus has taken the sorrowful hearts of all people as his own by his cross and resurrection. Our journey ended this morning at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where we gathered for mass at the rock of Calvary.
Fr. Jim Harvey led us in the celebration of the Eucharist, reminding us of the importance of Christ’s last words to us. We were then able to learn more about this church and to venerate the holy places found there. I found it especially moving to venerate the rock where Jesus was washed and anointed after his death. What care must have been given to him by the women who grieved his death in this place!
Finally, we visited the chapel that marks the place of Christ’s tomb and were fortunate enough to be the last of the pilgrims allowed inside for the morning. I offered a prayer of thanksgiving for having the privilege of traveling once again to these holy places that many Christians never have the opportunity to visit. I was happy also to have picked up a candle from inside the tomb, for when I left the now closed tomb there was a woman weeping outside who had not been allowed to enter. I offered her the candle from inside the tomb, hoping it would be a small connection to the Lord’s tomb that she had come to venerate.
This morning’s prayers reminded me that we are called to share both in Christ’s suffering and death, but more importantly his resurrection. We began our morning by reflecting first upon the suffering of Christ as he carried his cross. In this I could hear clearly God’s continual call to me towards self denial. As we celebrated the Eucharist together at the place of Jesus’ crucifixion I was reminded that Christians are also called to die to ourselves and our sinful ways that keep us separated from God and one another. But ultimately we are called to be joyful as we give thanks for the victory which Christ has won over sin and death. Today’s visit to the tomb can be summed up in just a few short words.
Christ is risen! Truly he is risen!
Related Posts:
About The Author
Comments