Dear Parishioners:
Last week I began to write a little about my recent journey to the Holy Land. Being a very grace-filled pilgrimage please permit me to share a bit more.
I mentioned how much I enjoyed the cuisine despite the fact that prior to leaving, several people warned me how different it was. I have to say that, after hearing the warnings, I fully expected to lose some weight. I reveled at the prospect of shedding a few pounds and I saw it as an opportunity to begin a New Year’s resolution to slim down. Well, it didn’t happen. I found myself eating falafel and hummus on pita bread, fries and salads of all types, as well as lamb kabobs, chicken kabobs, and loads of desserts! Are you hungry yet? I have to admit; by the end of the trip I had had my fill of lamb and chicken and falafel! The pita bread, however, I could have brought back with me by the truckload.
After departing Megiddo, we worked our way to the region of Galilee and to Cana. As you recall, Cana is the place where Jesus performed his first miracle of changing water into wine at a wedding feast. Mindful of the significance of that event I officiated at the renewal of marriage vows of the married members of our group. It was indeed very moving to see couples profess again their love for one another.
Following our visit to Cana, we ventured to nearby Nazareth and celebrated Mass at the place where the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce that she had been chosen by God to give birth to the Savior. Underneath the main level of the Church of the Annunciation is, according to tradition, the excavation of the home of Mary. We spent a few moments praying at this site and then headed toward Tiberius for the night.
The next morning, I rolled out of bed, stepped out on the balcony of my hotel room to greet a glorious day on the Sea of Galilee. Our first order of business was to hop on a boat and cross to the other side like those first followers of our Lord. There were no waves cresting over the boat for us though since the waters were as placid as could be. As we crossed, I could imagine what it was like for Jesus to pass the time in the boat talking to his disciples about the Kingdom of God. The only thing that seemed charming yet incongruous about our crossing was that our boat crew held a flag raising ceremony for us while piping the American National Anthem through the speakers!
Once we landed on the northern shore, we traveled to the Mount of the Beatitudes and celebrated Mass where it was purported that Jesus gave his celebrated Sermon on the Mount. As we celebrated Mass outdoors, I felt a little like our Lord who gathered his disciples around him on the grassy hillside. I said a special prayer for all of you, that the Lord would give you a hope-filled faith! More will follow next time! God bless!
Fr. Paul
