For those who have been to the Holy Land, what is the place that comes to mind most when you mind wonders back? How about the Jerusalem streets when it is dark and eerie?
Wild visions of shady hooded men in a thriller scene came to mind as 12 pilgrims take off at 4:00 am towards the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is one thing to walk down the Old City's narrow, cobblestone "streets" but was a scary proposition for this pilgrim who had a vivid imagination run wild.
One of the Holy Land's most visited Christian sites, the Holy Sepulcher was a definite highlight of our Tekton pilgrimage. Our guide, Fr. David, OSF, told us it would be wise to get there early so as to avoid the thousands of pilgrims that daily crowd the sacred Church. We were scheduled to arrive there as a group later that day but we eager, early-rising pilgrims wanted to be there a little after it was unlocked- at 4:00am. The night before, we left our friends drinking wine under the Jerusalem stars a little early. We were scheduled for a full day of visiting the holy sites with our Franciscan guide. Making sure we were well-rested for our adventure the next morning was key. And let me tell you, walking the empty streets of Jerusalem at four in the morning is an adventure!
Luckily, we were able to find our way to the Tomb of Christ in the dark because we followed some local religious sisters who were heading there as well. This was great because it is hard enough to find in the daytime let alone trying it in the dark hours. We reached the tomb of Christ just like His mother and Mary Magdalene had so many years ago.
The thought of St. Francis making his way in this very place many years ago, I grew excited and my heart began to thump inside my chest. The faithful Franciscans who have done such a great job of taking care of this spiritual place and all the Christians who come here year after year to visit and love this empty tomb also came to mind. I was humbled that I and my little group of Catholic Christians were journeying this same route. And very grateful for the opportunity.
As the aroma of the Holy Sepulcher warmly drew us in, a silence different from the one that filled the streets overcame us. It was the sacred silence of an empty tomb; Jesus' empty tomb.
Wild visions of shady hooded men in a thriller scene came to mind as 12 pilgrims take off at 4:00 am towards the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is one thing to walk down the Old City's narrow, cobblestone "streets" but was a scary proposition for this pilgrim who had a vivid imagination run wild.
One of the Holy Land's most visited Christian sites, the Holy Sepulcher was a definite highlight of our Tekton pilgrimage. Our guide, Fr. David, OSF, told us it would be wise to get there early so as to avoid the thousands of pilgrims that daily crowd the sacred Church. We were scheduled to arrive there as a group later that day but we eager, early-rising pilgrims wanted to be there a little after it was unlocked- at 4:00am. The night before, we left our friends drinking wine under the Jerusalem stars a little early. We were scheduled for a full day of visiting the holy sites with our Franciscan guide. Making sure we were well-rested for our adventure the next morning was key. And let me tell you, walking the empty streets of Jerusalem at four in the morning is an adventure!
Luckily, we were able to find our way to the Tomb of Christ in the dark because we followed some local religious sisters who were heading there as well. This was great because it is hard enough to find in the daytime let alone trying it in the dark hours. We reached the tomb of Christ just like His mother and Mary Magdalene had so many years ago.
The thought of St. Francis making his way in this very place many years ago, I grew excited and my heart began to thump inside my chest. The faithful Franciscans who have done such a great job of taking care of this spiritual place and all the Christians who come here year after year to visit and love this empty tomb also came to mind. I was humbled that I and my little group of Catholic Christians were journeying this same route. And very grateful for the opportunity.
As the aroma of the Holy Sepulcher warmly drew us in, a silence different from the one that filled the streets overcame us. It was the sacred silence of an empty tomb; Jesus' empty tomb.
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