Several people have asked that I keep a blog of my sabbatical time. I am happy to do this.
The address is http://johnoconnor2010.blogspot.com/
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
The road ahead...
There is a very real sense in which a pilgrimage does not have an earthly ending. We will journey as people of faith until we are fully united with God.
There has been an intensity in our time together - Living together at Gate E27, dining together at Sue's last Saturday night, adjusting to life at home while others are where we wanted to be ... Each of these circumstances have their challenges. In each of these moments, and in all these situations, God has been at work in us.
A tourist often sees the world only through the lens of a camera. A pilgrims views all reality with the eyes of faith. Often the circumstances of a moment are too distracting or traumatic for us and we instinctively narrow our perspective as a kind of survival mechanism. Once the suffering has lessened a little, and the pain is less acute, we feel more safe and can reflect more fruitfully on the experience. This is the life of a pilgrim. It is this journey we continue together.
Over the next few days I will offer some further reflections to help us to pray with the circumstances we have lived through. Later this week, this OLV Pilgrimage Blog will conclude.
Over the next couple of days please share your own comments and reflections. We are grateful to the many people who have shared a comment over these weeks. Thank you. Offer a thought or two on how the weeks have been for you. How have you noticed God at work? What would you like to share with those who have walked this challenging journey with you?
If you are not online you might ask someone else to contribute the comment for you.
It would be good to hear from anyone who wishes to contribute, as a way of together drawing this part of our journey together to a close.
Blessings & Love
John
There has been an intensity in our time together - Living together at Gate E27, dining together at Sue's last Saturday night, adjusting to life at home while others are where we wanted to be ... Each of these circumstances have their challenges. In each of these moments, and in all these situations, God has been at work in us.
A tourist often sees the world only through the lens of a camera. A pilgrims views all reality with the eyes of faith. Often the circumstances of a moment are too distracting or traumatic for us and we instinctively narrow our perspective as a kind of survival mechanism. Once the suffering has lessened a little, and the pain is less acute, we feel more safe and can reflect more fruitfully on the experience. This is the life of a pilgrim. It is this journey we continue together.
Over the next few days I will offer some further reflections to help us to pray with the circumstances we have lived through. Later this week, this OLV Pilgrimage Blog will conclude.
Over the next couple of days please share your own comments and reflections. We are grateful to the many people who have shared a comment over these weeks. Thank you. Offer a thought or two on how the weeks have been for you. How have you noticed God at work? What would you like to share with those who have walked this challenging journey with you?
If you are not online you might ask someone else to contribute the comment for you.
It would be good to hear from anyone who wishes to contribute, as a way of together drawing this part of our journey together to a close.
Blessings & Love
John
This part of our pilgrimage is complete...
This morning our group of ten, left the hotel to move in different directions. Some are heading for home today. Others to see different parts of the and to travel further afield. We continue our prayers for safe travel for all. I am now beginning the next stage of my sabbatical with a month of study here in Rome.
As we prayed last night and again this morning, we remembered again that we are less than one third of our complete group. While we have not been physically together these past couple of weeks, we have journeyed together in many other ways. We have shared joys and hopes, griefs and anxieties. We have loved one another as a community of faith.
Some last photos of the group as we prepared to depart. The pictures tell the story.
+++
Remember Thomas Merton's Prayer for the Pilgrim. We have all been through a lot since we first prayed this together at our pre-pilgrimage meetings. Because of all we have been through together we have a new depth of understanding and of faith. Let us continue to pray with and for each other:
A Pilgrim's Prayer by Thomas Merton
My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end....
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you,
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this,
You will lead me by the right road, though
I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though
I may seem lost in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Amen
As we prayed last night and again this morning, we remembered again that we are less than one third of our complete group. While we have not been physically together these past couple of weeks, we have journeyed together in many other ways. We have shared joys and hopes, griefs and anxieties. We have loved one another as a community of faith.
Some last photos of the group as we prepared to depart. The pictures tell the story.
+++
Remember Thomas Merton's Prayer for the Pilgrim. We have all been through a lot since we first prayed this together at our pre-pilgrimage meetings. Because of all we have been through together we have a new depth of understanding and of faith. Let us continue to pray with and for each other:
A Pilgrim's Prayer by Thomas Merton
My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end....
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you,
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this,
You will lead me by the right road, though
I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though
I may seem lost in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Amen
Friday, May 7, 2010
Benedict XVI Audience
On Wednesday, our first day in Rome, we gathered in St Peter's Square for the audience with the Pope. As I mentioned a couple of days ago - we heard "Our Lady of Victories, Christchurch" read out. The pope heard this too!
He spoke in several languages. This is what he said to us in English:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
During my recent visit to Turin, I prayed before the sacred Shroud, which invites us to contemplate the face of Christ and to ponder the mystery of his death and resurrection. As members of Christ’s Body, the Church, all the baptized are called to share in his saving work. In these final days of the Year for Priests, however, I would like to return to the specific ministry of the priest and, today, to his ministry of sanctification. Holiness, as we know, is proper to God, who is himself absolute truth, goodness, love and beauty. As ministers of Christ, priests bring us into life-giving contact with the mystery of God’s holiness. Thanks to the priest’s preaching of the Gospel and his celebration of the sacraments, we are enabled to approach God and to be transformed gradually into the divine image. In the celebration of the sacraments, and in particular the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Christ’s sanctifying work is constantly made present and effective. In their devout celebration of the sacraments, priests sanctify the faithful and are themselves sanctified and configured ever more closely to Christ. I ask all of you to pray for priests and their ministry of sanctification, that they may be true shepherds according to God’s heart.
* * *
I send cordial greetings to all who will be taking part in the Congress on the Family in Jönköping, Sweden, later this month. Your message to the world is truly a message of joy, because God’s gift to us of marriage and family life enables us to experience something of the infinite love that unites the three divine persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Human beings, made in the image and likeness of God, are made for love – indeed at the core of our being, we long to love and to be loved in return. Only God’s love can fully satisfy our deepest needs, and yet through the love of husband and wife, the love of parents and children, the love of siblings for one another, we are offered a foretaste of the boundless love that awaits us in the life to come. Marriage is truly an instrument of salvation, not only for married people but for the whole of society. Like any truly worthwhile goal, it places demands upon us, it challenges us, it calls us to be prepared to sacrifice our own interests for the good of the other. It requires us to exercise tolerance and to offer forgiveness. It invites us to nurture and protect the gift of new life. Those of us fortunate enough to be born into a stable family discover there the first and most fundamental school for virtuous living and the qualities of good citizenship. I encourage all of you in your efforts to promote a proper understanding and appreciation of the inestimable good that marriage and family life offer to human society. May God bless all of you.
------------
A more complete summary can be found at
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1001888.htm
He spoke in several languages. This is what he said to us in English:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
During my recent visit to Turin, I prayed before the sacred Shroud, which invites us to contemplate the face of Christ and to ponder the mystery of his death and resurrection. As members of Christ’s Body, the Church, all the baptized are called to share in his saving work. In these final days of the Year for Priests, however, I would like to return to the specific ministry of the priest and, today, to his ministry of sanctification. Holiness, as we know, is proper to God, who is himself absolute truth, goodness, love and beauty. As ministers of Christ, priests bring us into life-giving contact with the mystery of God’s holiness. Thanks to the priest’s preaching of the Gospel and his celebration of the sacraments, we are enabled to approach God and to be transformed gradually into the divine image. In the celebration of the sacraments, and in particular the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Christ’s sanctifying work is constantly made present and effective. In their devout celebration of the sacraments, priests sanctify the faithful and are themselves sanctified and configured ever more closely to Christ. I ask all of you to pray for priests and their ministry of sanctification, that they may be true shepherds according to God’s heart.
* * *
I send cordial greetings to all who will be taking part in the Congress on the Family in Jönköping, Sweden, later this month. Your message to the world is truly a message of joy, because God’s gift to us of marriage and family life enables us to experience something of the infinite love that unites the three divine persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Human beings, made in the image and likeness of God, are made for love – indeed at the core of our being, we long to love and to be loved in return. Only God’s love can fully satisfy our deepest needs, and yet through the love of husband and wife, the love of parents and children, the love of siblings for one another, we are offered a foretaste of the boundless love that awaits us in the life to come. Marriage is truly an instrument of salvation, not only for married people but for the whole of society. Like any truly worthwhile goal, it places demands upon us, it challenges us, it calls us to be prepared to sacrifice our own interests for the good of the other. It requires us to exercise tolerance and to offer forgiveness. It invites us to nurture and protect the gift of new life. Those of us fortunate enough to be born into a stable family discover there the first and most fundamental school for virtuous living and the qualities of good citizenship. I encourage all of you in your efforts to promote a proper understanding and appreciation of the inestimable good that marriage and family life offer to human society. May God bless all of you.
------------
A more complete summary can be found at
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1001888.htm
Rome
Internet access is not easy in the hotel so these postings will be brief. Over the weekend I will offer some more substantial reflections.
For the moment, just a brief update. Yesterday we began with an early morning Mass at the Tomb of Saint Peter. We prayed there for you all, and especially for Bishop Barry and our diocese of Christchurch.
Later in the day, visits to the basilicas of St Mary Major and St John Lateran (the pope's cathedral).
This morning at 7 we celebrated Mass in St Peter's basilica - at an altar very close to the main altar. During that Mass the names of all of you pilgrims who did not make it this far were read aloud in prayer during the Prayers of Intercession. A few pilgrims from Texas joined us for this Mass.
Today is a free day and our final meal of the pilgrimage will be dinner tonight.
I cannot begin to imagine how difficult it has been for you all as the pilgrimage continues in two places (NZ and Rome). Knowing that there are some pilgrims still making the pilgrimage that you had hoped and prayed to make will have been very difficult at many moments every day.
Saturday night NZ time marks a new phase in the pilgrimage as we all go our different ways. We move on. We do not lose sight of the fact that God works powerfully with us in the midst of very difficult circumstances - although it can be very difficult (if not almost impossible) to see that at the time. Tomorrow we move on, all of us, wherever we are. We are grateful that God has even managed to use an inconsiderate volcano to form us into a new little community of faith.
This morning's Gospel gave us the roadmap for moving as a new community of 34 into our future together: "Love one another"
Blessings & love
John
For the moment, just a brief update. Yesterday we began with an early morning Mass at the Tomb of Saint Peter. We prayed there for you all, and especially for Bishop Barry and our diocese of Christchurch.
Later in the day, visits to the basilicas of St Mary Major and St John Lateran (the pope's cathedral).
This morning at 7 we celebrated Mass in St Peter's basilica - at an altar very close to the main altar. During that Mass the names of all of you pilgrims who did not make it this far were read aloud in prayer during the Prayers of Intercession. A few pilgrims from Texas joined us for this Mass.
Today is a free day and our final meal of the pilgrimage will be dinner tonight.
I cannot begin to imagine how difficult it has been for you all as the pilgrimage continues in two places (NZ and Rome). Knowing that there are some pilgrims still making the pilgrimage that you had hoped and prayed to make will have been very difficult at many moments every day.
Saturday night NZ time marks a new phase in the pilgrimage as we all go our different ways. We move on. We do not lose sight of the fact that God works powerfully with us in the midst of very difficult circumstances - although it can be very difficult (if not almost impossible) to see that at the time. Tomorrow we move on, all of us, wherever we are. We are grateful that God has even managed to use an inconsiderate volcano to form us into a new little community of faith.
This morning's Gospel gave us the roadmap for moving as a new community of 34 into our future together: "Love one another"
Blessings & love
John
Thursday, May 6, 2010
and so to Rome
This will be a brief note as I have six minutes online in the hotel lobby!
We made it - there are now ten of us.
The reunion was sweet-bitter as our thoughts were so much with the full group. It was wonderful to hear from the six arrivals of your gathering last night. It is true, you have been on pilgrimage in such an unexpected (and undesired) way, but God has not missed the opportunity to work powerfully in you all.
Yesterday the pope heard of Our Lady of VIctories parish, Christchurch. The English speaking priest who presented us to the pope (along with thousands of others) read out our name. I didn't catch the pope's reaction, but if he knew our full story he would have invited us to lunch I'm sure.
Yesterday afternoon we celebrated Mass at the catacombs - the church of St Sebastian, chapel of St Fabian where the last pilgrimage also celebrated Mass. Sebastian. We have been through a taste of death in these weeks together. How could we live without the confidence in the resurrection. It was this that gave the lives of Sebastian and Fabian meaning.
This morning we have Mass at the tomb of St Peter. As always you all, and the many intentions we carry on behalf of so many, will be the intention of this Mass.
We will also pray for Bishop Barry and our Christchurch diocese. Yesterday in St Peter's square for the audience with Pope Benedict, was a wonderful experience of the beauty, vibrancy and diversity of Catholic faith.
Time up - more later
John
We made it - there are now ten of us.
The reunion was sweet-bitter as our thoughts were so much with the full group. It was wonderful to hear from the six arrivals of your gathering last night. It is true, you have been on pilgrimage in such an unexpected (and undesired) way, but God has not missed the opportunity to work powerfully in you all.
Yesterday the pope heard of Our Lady of VIctories parish, Christchurch. The English speaking priest who presented us to the pope (along with thousands of others) read out our name. I didn't catch the pope's reaction, but if he knew our full story he would have invited us to lunch I'm sure.
Yesterday afternoon we celebrated Mass at the catacombs - the church of St Sebastian, chapel of St Fabian where the last pilgrimage also celebrated Mass. Sebastian. We have been through a taste of death in these weeks together. How could we live without the confidence in the resurrection. It was this that gave the lives of Sebastian and Fabian meaning.
This morning we have Mass at the tomb of St Peter. As always you all, and the many intentions we carry on behalf of so many, will be the intention of this Mass.
We will also pray for Bishop Barry and our Christchurch diocese. Yesterday in St Peter's square for the audience with Pope Benedict, was a wonderful experience of the beauty, vibrancy and diversity of Catholic faith.
Time up - more later
John
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Pope Benedict XVI & the shroud of Turin
A couple of days ago Pope Benedict visited the Shroud of Turin. He did so not as a camera-wielding tourist but as a faithful pilgrim. You can tell because of the beautiful reflection he offered there.
As we leave this Holy Land in a couple of hours I thought it helpful to give the last word of this stage of our own OLV pilgrimage to the pope. He mentions places we have seen: Calvary, and the nearby tomb given by Joseph of Aramathea.
As the pope notes, the eyes of faith make all the difference: a cynic visiting the shroud or this Holy Land would focus on denying the connection with a historical reality or event. The pilgrim comes with open mind and heart, expecting Jesus to speak through something that may even be a replica (of the shroud as the pope notes).
I invite you to reflectively consider this beautiful meditation from Pope Benedict. Read it slowly, and know that he is speaking to your (my) own reality - especially offering words of hope to every experience of suffering in your own life.
Pope Benedict & the Shroud of Turin
As we leave this Holy Land in a couple of hours I thought it helpful to give the last word of this stage of our own OLV pilgrimage to the pope. He mentions places we have seen: Calvary, and the nearby tomb given by Joseph of Aramathea.
As the pope notes, the eyes of faith make all the difference: a cynic visiting the shroud or this Holy Land would focus on denying the connection with a historical reality or event. The pilgrim comes with open mind and heart, expecting Jesus to speak through something that may even be a replica (of the shroud as the pope notes).
I invite you to reflectively consider this beautiful meditation from Pope Benedict. Read it slowly, and know that he is speaking to your (my) own reality - especially offering words of hope to every experience of suffering in your own life.
Pope Benedict & the Shroud of Turin
to Tel Aviv
Yesterday we travelled from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv (an hours journey), with stops at Emmaus for Mass and in Jaffa (neighbouring Tel Aviv).
It is with mixed feelings that I reach this point. In a couple of hours we will be on a flight to Rome arriving there later tonight. It will be very good to see six more of our pilgrims.
These two weeks have been remarkable in every way. Emotionally every one of the pilgrims here and there in Christchurch have experienced extremes of emotion. Our hearts have been stirred and juggled and prodded. Then, yesterday at Mass in Emmaus, the Gospel spoke the words of the disciples: did not our hearts burn within us ... as he spoke with us on the road...
A pilgrim does not travel as a tourist. A tourist is often content with seeing sights. A pilgrim is seeking to deepen their personal relationship with Jesus by placing themselves in places and environments where ancestors in faith have heard and responded to His voice.
In these two weeks, here in Israel, and back in NZ, we have journeyed together. We have experienced extremes in emotion. Our hearts have been alive, first with the excitement of the journey together, then the devistation of the return home. But in every moment we have been pilgrims - seeking Jesus. And Jesus has not missed the opportunity to work powerfully in and with us.
The most visible sign of this divine action has been the formation of a community of faith in the most unlikely place - an airport departure gate!
Throughout these two weeks of pilgrimage my thoughts and prayers have been with you who did not make it this far. I have missed you, especially on Saturday night when you gathered in faith and in friendship.
I will keep this blog going as we journey from here to Rome for the next three days. I know you will be delighted that at least six more of the group will share the Rome days.
For the rest, Next year in Jerusalem?!
With blessings & love
John
It is with mixed feelings that I reach this point. In a couple of hours we will be on a flight to Rome arriving there later tonight. It will be very good to see six more of our pilgrims.
These two weeks have been remarkable in every way. Emotionally every one of the pilgrims here and there in Christchurch have experienced extremes of emotion. Our hearts have been stirred and juggled and prodded. Then, yesterday at Mass in Emmaus, the Gospel spoke the words of the disciples: did not our hearts burn within us ... as he spoke with us on the road...
A pilgrim does not travel as a tourist. A tourist is often content with seeing sights. A pilgrim is seeking to deepen their personal relationship with Jesus by placing themselves in places and environments where ancestors in faith have heard and responded to His voice.
In these two weeks, here in Israel, and back in NZ, we have journeyed together. We have experienced extremes in emotion. Our hearts have been alive, first with the excitement of the journey together, then the devistation of the return home. But in every moment we have been pilgrims - seeking Jesus. And Jesus has not missed the opportunity to work powerfully in and with us.
The most visible sign of this divine action has been the formation of a community of faith in the most unlikely place - an airport departure gate!
Throughout these two weeks of pilgrimage my thoughts and prayers have been with you who did not make it this far. I have missed you, especially on Saturday night when you gathered in faith and in friendship.
I will keep this blog going as we journey from here to Rome for the next three days. I know you will be delighted that at least six more of the group will share the Rome days.
For the rest, Next year in Jerusalem?!
With blessings & love
John
Monday, May 3, 2010
The Road to Emmaus
Today we leave Jerusalem. Each morning here I have walked about 100m from the hotel to a small cafe with a green outdoor area and WiFi. It is here that I have been able to update the blog. It is a great spot to watch early morning Jerusalem.
In an hour Jacob meets us to take us to Emmaus. For many years I had the romantic idea that when I managed to visit the Holy Land I would walk the road to Emmaus. The scripture tells us that it is only seven mile from Jerusalem. The problem is that no one knows exactly where Emmaus is. This is complicated by the knowledge that our 21st century measurement of seven miles is not the same as the ancient measurement. Anyway today we will drive to a place commonly believed to be THE Emmaus and there we will celebrate Mass.
The fact that we do not know the way to Emmaus is not a problem for us, because, wherever we are, God knows the way to us. At this place we will celebrate the Mass: they recognised at the breaking of the bread that he had been with them all along. But their eyes were closed by all that had been happening.
As we near the end of this part of our pilgrimage our prayers are again with the whole group. What we have been through has been traumatic. Such struggle can often close our eyes, but He is always with us.
In an hour Jacob meets us to take us to Emmaus. For many years I had the romantic idea that when I managed to visit the Holy Land I would walk the road to Emmaus. The scripture tells us that it is only seven mile from Jerusalem. The problem is that no one knows exactly where Emmaus is. This is complicated by the knowledge that our 21st century measurement of seven miles is not the same as the ancient measurement. Anyway today we will drive to a place commonly believed to be THE Emmaus and there we will celebrate Mass.
The fact that we do not know the way to Emmaus is not a problem for us, because, wherever we are, God knows the way to us. At this place we will celebrate the Mass: they recognised at the breaking of the bread that he had been with them all along. But their eyes were closed by all that had been happening.
As we near the end of this part of our pilgrimage our prayers are again with the whole group. What we have been through has been traumatic. Such struggle can often close our eyes, but He is always with us.
Masada
Some of you may have seen the movie Masada. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081900/. Yesterday we visited this site - the second most popular tourist site in the country (after Jerusalem). The journey south from Jerusalem is not long. I think I mentioned in an earlier blog that Jerusalem (half way up the country), is the dividing line between the fertile north (Judea, Galilee etc), and the desert of the south. If you look at a roadmap of Israel you can see the difference. http://www.multimap.com/world/IL. There are few roads or towns south of Jerusalem.
Within minutes of leaving Jerusalem travelling south we were in desert. Along the side of the modern highway live the Bedouin people. Their life is nomadic, a few weeks or months here or there with a few animals.
After about twenty minutes we passed the now familiar town of Jericho (remember Zacchaeus) on the Left, and the Dead Sea comes into view on the right. We travelled down the west of the sea for 45 minutes (desert mountains on the right and the Dead Sea on the left).
The fortress of Masada was built by Herod in the decades before Christ. This Herod was the one who ruled at the time of Jesus' birth and had all male babies put to death to prevent the emergence of the new prophesied king. he was known as Herod the 'great'. Our tour guide Jacob keeps reminding us that this title was not because he was a great person (he was far from that - pretty mad and paranoic), but he was a great builder, and this fortress (as with the earlier ones we have seen particularly at Caesarea) is testimony to his building passion.
You can read the details of the newly excavated site online
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/Masada1.html
After our visit, over lunch, the four of us discussed the visits over the past two weeks that would be a 'not-to-be-missed' part of any visit to this land. Along with Jerusalem and Galilee, Masada was a must.
After the death of Herod (approx 4AD), his kingdom was divided between his three sons and Masada was abandoned until sixty years later when the Jews revolted against Roman rule. A group of Jews (around 1000) who were suspected of inciting the riots, fled to Masada and made use of the fortress. This event is what has made Masada well known today and is the subject of the movie. I won't tell you how it ends in case you want to watch the movie.
Five hundred years later a group of Christian monks seeking solitude moved into the abandoned town and created a monastery. In a prominent position they built a chapel. Because this chapel was built after the earlier battles it is relatively intact. Another sign of Christian hope in a place of struggle.
Much of the mosaic floor of the chapel also remains:
Within minutes of leaving Jerusalem travelling south we were in desert. Along the side of the modern highway live the Bedouin people. Their life is nomadic, a few weeks or months here or there with a few animals.
After about twenty minutes we passed the now familiar town of Jericho (remember Zacchaeus) on the Left, and the Dead Sea comes into view on the right. We travelled down the west of the sea for 45 minutes (desert mountains on the right and the Dead Sea on the left).
The fortress of Masada was built by Herod in the decades before Christ. This Herod was the one who ruled at the time of Jesus' birth and had all male babies put to death to prevent the emergence of the new prophesied king. he was known as Herod the 'great'. Our tour guide Jacob keeps reminding us that this title was not because he was a great person (he was far from that - pretty mad and paranoic), but he was a great builder, and this fortress (as with the earlier ones we have seen particularly at Caesarea) is testimony to his building passion.
You can read the details of the newly excavated site online
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/Masada1.html
After our visit, over lunch, the four of us discussed the visits over the past two weeks that would be a 'not-to-be-missed' part of any visit to this land. Along with Jerusalem and Galilee, Masada was a must.
After the death of Herod (approx 4AD), his kingdom was divided between his three sons and Masada was abandoned until sixty years later when the Jews revolted against Roman rule. A group of Jews (around 1000) who were suspected of inciting the riots, fled to Masada and made use of the fortress. This event is what has made Masada well known today and is the subject of the movie. I won't tell you how it ends in case you want to watch the movie.
Five hundred years later a group of Christian monks seeking solitude moved into the abandoned town and created a monastery. In a prominent position they built a chapel. Because this chapel was built after the earlier battles it is relatively intact. Another sign of Christian hope in a place of struggle.
Much of the mosaic floor of the chapel also remains:
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The Gathering ...
Thank you Marie for your post with the photos of Saturday night. It is early morning here in Jerusalem and I have found a little cafe around the corner from our hotel with free WiFi.
Make a comment
Making a comment on this blog is easy. We would love to hear from you, even a word or two, perhaps about the gathering on Saturday night
You are a community formed by God!
It was so good to see the photos. You are a community formed by an act of God. I don't mean primarily the volcano (I don't think God caused this. One day we will find out that the real cause was US foreign policy trying to influence the UK elections ... )
My deepest conviction (and I do not say this casually), is that whatever happens, God is at work. While God does not always cause the circumstances we find ourselves in (often my situation is the result of my own poor decisions or the bad intent of others), whatever the circumstances of the moment, this is where God is at work.
Even from this physical distance I can seek that God has been at work in you all in these remarkable circumstances. Many of you have emailed me of your gratitude to Mike for his leadership in this difficult situation. I know that Jack has provided sound priestly pastoral leadership. I know too that each of you in different (and often unseen ways) have cared for one another in the testing environment of a departure gate.
God never misses an opportunity to work miracles – even in an airport.
Next Year?
It is good to hear from you Marie that many are interested in continuing this pilgrimage in the Holy Land next year. Remember my earlier posting: ‘never say never’. This is a remarkable country. I am delighted that so many of you are seriously considering making this part of the journey next year.
This journey is giving me the opportunity to fine tune a pilgrimage. THere are some things that we need to see more of, other things, less. Some hotel's are ideal, others not so good. So, with this practice run a pilgrimage next year will be worth the wait!
Watch this space.
With love
John
Make a comment
Making a comment on this blog is easy. We would love to hear from you, even a word or two, perhaps about the gathering on Saturday night
You are a community formed by God!
It was so good to see the photos. You are a community formed by an act of God. I don't mean primarily the volcano (I don't think God caused this. One day we will find out that the real cause was US foreign policy trying to influence the UK elections ... )
My deepest conviction (and I do not say this casually), is that whatever happens, God is at work. While God does not always cause the circumstances we find ourselves in (often my situation is the result of my own poor decisions or the bad intent of others), whatever the circumstances of the moment, this is where God is at work.
Even from this physical distance I can seek that God has been at work in you all in these remarkable circumstances. Many of you have emailed me of your gratitude to Mike for his leadership in this difficult situation. I know that Jack has provided sound priestly pastoral leadership. I know too that each of you in different (and often unseen ways) have cared for one another in the testing environment of a departure gate.
God never misses an opportunity to work miracles – even in an airport.
Next Year?
It is good to hear from you Marie that many are interested in continuing this pilgrimage in the Holy Land next year. Remember my earlier posting: ‘never say never’. This is a remarkable country. I am delighted that so many of you are seriously considering making this part of the journey next year.
This journey is giving me the opportunity to fine tune a pilgrimage. THere are some things that we need to see more of, other things, less. Some hotel's are ideal, others not so good. So, with this practice run a pilgrimage next year will be worth the wait!
Watch this space.
With love
John
Holy Sepulchre
Yesterday morning (local time here) as you gathered Sat night at Sue's, I went down to the Old CIty. We had a free day giving time to return to sites that have been personally significant for us on our visit last week.
I made my way into the Christian quarter of the Old CIty to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. I got a bit lost in the maze of streets ... but 'lost' is what happens only when I don't want to be where I am, and I was happy to wander these streets.
The entrance to this Church of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection is well hidden. You have to know where you are going. I'm sure there is an easier way to get there, but each time for me it has been through a labyrinth of streets and chapels. Then, there was the door. It was difficult to move for people crowded into every space. There is no effort to keep silence.
To the right of the door are the steps leading up to the 'place of the crucifixion'
To the left and around a corner is the tomb of Jesus. The queue to enter this small space was at least an hour long.
I asked one of the Franciscan priests (surprisingly the same one I had met for confession last week) where I could find a place to pray and Mass. He led me to the Catholic chapel, only a dozen metres from the tomb of the resurrection of Jesus. Mass (in Spanish) had just begun.
I joined the enthusiastic group of about fifty with the single intention of offering this Mass for you pilgrims who were (at that time) gathering at Sue’s home.
Durning the homily (my spanish is non-existent) I reflected with the images in the little chapel. Along the left side was a single sculpture of the Stations of the Cross
Signs of hope
The last of these Stations is the resurrection of Jesus. A simple, stark and powerful image:
At the door of the chapel is the image of Jesus meeting Mary Magdalen after the Resurrection:
After Mass, as I was about to leave the church I turned back for a last look at the noisy crowds. The light from the windows in the top of the dome shone directly onto the tomb. Often it is the smallest signs that are the most powerful ...
Blessings
John
PS: a couple just wandered into the cafe and asked if I spoke English. They were Canadian and when they found out I was from NZ he was very interested. He will be in NZ next year for the world cup and is a Crusaders supporter!
I made my way into the Christian quarter of the Old CIty to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. I got a bit lost in the maze of streets ... but 'lost' is what happens only when I don't want to be where I am, and I was happy to wander these streets.
The entrance to this Church of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection is well hidden. You have to know where you are going. I'm sure there is an easier way to get there, but each time for me it has been through a labyrinth of streets and chapels. Then, there was the door. It was difficult to move for people crowded into every space. There is no effort to keep silence.
To the right of the door are the steps leading up to the 'place of the crucifixion'
To the left and around a corner is the tomb of Jesus. The queue to enter this small space was at least an hour long.
I asked one of the Franciscan priests (surprisingly the same one I had met for confession last week) where I could find a place to pray and Mass. He led me to the Catholic chapel, only a dozen metres from the tomb of the resurrection of Jesus. Mass (in Spanish) had just begun.
I joined the enthusiastic group of about fifty with the single intention of offering this Mass for you pilgrims who were (at that time) gathering at Sue’s home.
Durning the homily (my spanish is non-existent) I reflected with the images in the little chapel. Along the left side was a single sculpture of the Stations of the Cross
Signs of hope
The last of these Stations is the resurrection of Jesus. A simple, stark and powerful image:
At the door of the chapel is the image of Jesus meeting Mary Magdalen after the Resurrection:
After Mass, as I was about to leave the church I turned back for a last look at the noisy crowds. The light from the windows in the top of the dome shone directly onto the tomb. Often it is the smallest signs that are the most powerful ...
Blessings
John
PS: a couple just wandered into the cafe and asked if I spoke English. They were Canadian and when they found out I was from NZ he was very interested. He will be in NZ next year for the world cup and is a Crusaders supporter!
Two weeks on ... those who came home
Last night, Saturday 1 May, all but six of those who recluctantly had to return home, gathered at the home of Sue George.
It was a great reunion where, apart from sharing a yummy pot luck dinner, we also shared our thoughts and feelings on what has been, and what the future holds in our resolve and desire to complete our Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. 2011 it shall be with the time of year yet to be determined.
We were delighted to learn that six of our fellow pilgrims are leaving today to join the others in Rome. God speed to Mike, Suzanne, Jean, Carla, Leo and Marie as you journey back again. May your air travel be safe and without incident!!
It was great to see everyone looking well and refreshed last night - a far cry from our sad, exhausted state of appearance when we arrived back in Christchurch almost two weeks ago.
May the Pilgrimage continue...
Marie
It was a great reunion where, apart from sharing a yummy pot luck dinner, we also shared our thoughts and feelings on what has been, and what the future holds in our resolve and desire to complete our Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. 2011 it shall be with the time of year yet to be determined.
We were delighted to learn that six of our fellow pilgrims are leaving today to join the others in Rome. God speed to Mike, Suzanne, Jean, Carla, Leo and Marie as you journey back again. May your air travel be safe and without incident!!
It was great to see everyone looking well and refreshed last night - a far cry from our sad, exhausted state of appearance when we arrived back in Christchurch almost two weeks ago.
May the Pilgrimage continue...
Marie
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Greetings to the Gathering Pilgrims (Saturday night in ChCh)
Warm Greetings to you all as you gather tonight for the first time since returning home.
Here these days I have had a deep awareness that the real pilgrimage of these days is happening back in New Zealand. Most of you will gather tonight. You will have many stories to share. Most of all, you have great company as you gather.
The days here have been full and rewarding. There are many times when I miss the OLV group, and the friends I had prepared with. Tomorrow morning (Israel time) as you gather I will head to the Church of the Holy Sepulcre to spend time in prayer for you all. This Church contains the probably site of the crucifixion of Jesus and the tomb of the resurrection.
What you have all been through does seem like a death: we together had so many hopes for these pilgrimage days together. The days since Singapore have been filled with grief, but also the deep companionship I have heard from many of you. In many ways you have formed Christian community at a much deeper level in the brief days together than we could have in three weeks of "normal" travel together.
WIth my prayer, blessings and love as you gather.
John
Here these days I have had a deep awareness that the real pilgrimage of these days is happening back in New Zealand. Most of you will gather tonight. You will have many stories to share. Most of all, you have great company as you gather.
The days here have been full and rewarding. There are many times when I miss the OLV group, and the friends I had prepared with. Tomorrow morning (Israel time) as you gather I will head to the Church of the Holy Sepulcre to spend time in prayer for you all. This Church contains the probably site of the crucifixion of Jesus and the tomb of the resurrection.
What you have all been through does seem like a death: we together had so many hopes for these pilgrimage days together. The days since Singapore have been filled with grief, but also the deep companionship I have heard from many of you. In many ways you have formed Christian community at a much deeper level in the brief days together than we could have in three weeks of "normal" travel together.
WIth my prayer, blessings and love as you gather.
John
Mount Carmel: contemplation
Prayer is the most natural human activity. Babies pray instinctively since they don't yet have too great a repertoire of techniques to separate them from God.
As we grow, we learn patterns of behaviour, ways of thinking and acting, that are not in harmony with who we have been created to be. We call this sin. We could say that there are only two ways of living in relation to God, and in every moment we are in one or the other: we are either sinning or praying.
In saying this I pick up the message of the prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel: If I am not wholeheartedly living in desire for God, then I am in sin.
This is good news for us. It means that if we are still and silent, we will become aware of what we really seek.
Some of the time I think that what I really want is chocolate, or a G&T. If I put off (at least for a few moments) giving-in to this desire, and turn to God, I will realise that after one G&T and a couple of chocolates, I will need more, and then some more and again more. So, the fleeting thought that it is chocolate that I need, is not an awareness of what I really, really need. What I really need is God. I need to know that God is with me. I need to know that God loves me, even in the midst of my sin and struggle. I need to know that God is writing straight with the crooked lines of my life.
And more good news, this prayer is much more simple than I could imagine. All I need to do is to be still and silent and God will help me to be aware of all that is present and real in my life. In these moments of silence and stillness each day the people I do not like will come to mind. I will remember the moments of strong emotion, the joy and the anger. All of this 'stuff' will crowd in to my consciousness. This is good news, because this is the entry to prayer.
my place of prayer on top of Mt Carmel (notice my shoe in bottom right corner)
People often think that prayer is a time for moving away from the troubles and struggles of life: a few moments in a peaceful place. Such an understanding of prayer is unhelpful. Prayer is not an escape from life. Rather, prayer is an engagement with the reality that is life and that is God. Whenever we relax into prayer, motivated in some vague way at least by consciousness of our desire for God, God is at work.
A time of pilgrimage helps us to be more aware of this fact. I had dreamed of a peaceful times of focussed prayer in the holy places of these days. Today we visited Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity in Manger Square. There were thousands of pilgrims in line to visit the grotto believed to be the birthplace of Jesus. Our guide knew a shortcut and we descended to a pretty chaotic small cave where noise and cameras with pushing and shoving made stillness and silence impossible.
This was a long way from the peace that I had expected in this place. However the reality of the incarnation is that God is everywhere present: most especially in the places of greatest need.
Tonight I have some space. There is stillness and silence. Tomorrow we have a free day as much of Jerusalem closes for the Sabbath.
Blessings
John
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/haifa-stella-maris-carmelite-monastery.htm
Stella Maris Monastery, Haifa
As we grow, we learn patterns of behaviour, ways of thinking and acting, that are not in harmony with who we have been created to be. We call this sin. We could say that there are only two ways of living in relation to God, and in every moment we are in one or the other: we are either sinning or praying.
In saying this I pick up the message of the prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel: If I am not wholeheartedly living in desire for God, then I am in sin.
This is good news for us. It means that if we are still and silent, we will become aware of what we really seek.
Some of the time I think that what I really want is chocolate, or a G&T. If I put off (at least for a few moments) giving-in to this desire, and turn to God, I will realise that after one G&T and a couple of chocolates, I will need more, and then some more and again more. So, the fleeting thought that it is chocolate that I need, is not an awareness of what I really, really need. What I really need is God. I need to know that God is with me. I need to know that God loves me, even in the midst of my sin and struggle. I need to know that God is writing straight with the crooked lines of my life.
And more good news, this prayer is much more simple than I could imagine. All I need to do is to be still and silent and God will help me to be aware of all that is present and real in my life. In these moments of silence and stillness each day the people I do not like will come to mind. I will remember the moments of strong emotion, the joy and the anger. All of this 'stuff' will crowd in to my consciousness. This is good news, because this is the entry to prayer.
my place of prayer on top of Mt Carmel (notice my shoe in bottom right corner)
People often think that prayer is a time for moving away from the troubles and struggles of life: a few moments in a peaceful place. Such an understanding of prayer is unhelpful. Prayer is not an escape from life. Rather, prayer is an engagement with the reality that is life and that is God. Whenever we relax into prayer, motivated in some vague way at least by consciousness of our desire for God, God is at work.
A time of pilgrimage helps us to be more aware of this fact. I had dreamed of a peaceful times of focussed prayer in the holy places of these days. Today we visited Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity in Manger Square. There were thousands of pilgrims in line to visit the grotto believed to be the birthplace of Jesus. Our guide knew a shortcut and we descended to a pretty chaotic small cave where noise and cameras with pushing and shoving made stillness and silence impossible.
This was a long way from the peace that I had expected in this place. However the reality of the incarnation is that God is everywhere present: most especially in the places of greatest need.
Tonight I have some space. There is stillness and silence. Tomorrow we have a free day as much of Jerusalem closes for the Sabbath.
Blessings
John
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/haifa-stella-maris-carmelite-monastery.htm
Stella Maris Monastery, Haifa
Mount Carmel - Elijah
Earlier today we spent time at Mount Carmel. This was a significant place for the prophets of Israel, especially Elijah 900 years before Christ. (you can read more about this in the first and second book of Kings – especially 1Kg 18-19). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Carmel
In the face of the pressures of society Elijah called the leadership and the people of Israel to make a choice between God and Evil. While many people were expressing a belief in God and following the letter of the law of God, mostly they were keeping a foot in both camps. Elijah challenged the people to follow God alone.
The burden of proof of God’s power seemed to fall to Elijah so he agreed to let those who followed the pagan ‘god’ Baal to set a fire with an animal offering ready for sacrifice, but not to light the fire. Then these people prayed (and danced and sang and jumped) in pleading to Baal that he (direct form his ‘heaven’) would send flame to light the fire. So they prayed as hard as they could. Nothing happened. They gave up.
Now it was Elijha’s turn.
Elijah had a fire with animal offering prepared. To add even more drama he got his people to flood the wood and sacrifice with water. Then he gently called on God who sent flame. The power of God was seen by all.
Today we face the same temptation; to think that the things that are important in life, are the one essential thing. It is true that family and friends, work and security are important. But the way to achieve what we desire is to seek God above all else…and all these other things will be provided for us.
It is significant too that Elijah's prayer was effortless compared to the energy expended by the pagans. Elijah seemed to know this already - that prayer is a surging of the heart rather than an attempt to twist the divine arm through any means possible. More on this in the next blog "contemplation".
Our prayer in this place, and a little later when we celebrated Mass at Stella Maris Carmelite monastery at the other end of the summit of Mt Carmel (about 25 minutes away at the city of Haifa), was for the Carmelite sisters of Christchurch. Especially that those women God is calling to share their life will hear this call, and recognise that their life's happiness and purpose is found in responding generously with a whole-hearted "yes" to God.
As with priesthood, it is sometimes difficult for an individual to not only 'hear' such a call to contemplative life, it can be difficult for the individual to believe that they really are being called by God to this life. If you know of someone whom God may be calling to share the life of the Carmelite sisters, do not be afraid to ask them to consider this. God might be wanting to use you to sow this seed.
If you want to know more about the life of the sisters in Christchurch, and around the world, have a look at their website: http://www.karmel.at/christchurch.nz/
In the face of the pressures of society Elijah called the leadership and the people of Israel to make a choice between God and Evil. While many people were expressing a belief in God and following the letter of the law of God, mostly they were keeping a foot in both camps. Elijah challenged the people to follow God alone.
The burden of proof of God’s power seemed to fall to Elijah so he agreed to let those who followed the pagan ‘god’ Baal to set a fire with an animal offering ready for sacrifice, but not to light the fire. Then these people prayed (and danced and sang and jumped) in pleading to Baal that he (direct form his ‘heaven’) would send flame to light the fire. So they prayed as hard as they could. Nothing happened. They gave up.
Now it was Elijha’s turn.
Elijah had a fire with animal offering prepared. To add even more drama he got his people to flood the wood and sacrifice with water. Then he gently called on God who sent flame. The power of God was seen by all.
Today we face the same temptation; to think that the things that are important in life, are the one essential thing. It is true that family and friends, work and security are important. But the way to achieve what we desire is to seek God above all else…and all these other things will be provided for us.
It is significant too that Elijah's prayer was effortless compared to the energy expended by the pagans. Elijah seemed to know this already - that prayer is a surging of the heart rather than an attempt to twist the divine arm through any means possible. More on this in the next blog "contemplation".
Our prayer in this place, and a little later when we celebrated Mass at Stella Maris Carmelite monastery at the other end of the summit of Mt Carmel (about 25 minutes away at the city of Haifa), was for the Carmelite sisters of Christchurch. Especially that those women God is calling to share their life will hear this call, and recognise that their life's happiness and purpose is found in responding generously with a whole-hearted "yes" to God.
As with priesthood, it is sometimes difficult for an individual to not only 'hear' such a call to contemplative life, it can be difficult for the individual to believe that they really are being called by God to this life. If you know of someone whom God may be calling to share the life of the Carmelite sisters, do not be afraid to ask them to consider this. God might be wanting to use you to sow this seed.
If you want to know more about the life of the sisters in Christchurch, and around the world, have a look at their website: http://www.karmel.at/christchurch.nz/
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