On Our Way

25 Pilgrims from Cincinnati, Berkeley, and Sunnyvale 

The pilgrimage officially began this morning.  Amid Passover revelers in Tel Aviv, we took a moment to contemplate what it means to embark on a journey that starts with a different emphasis:  to listen with the ear of your heart.  

A quick visit to Saint Peter's church in Jaffa followed by the a walk around the ruins of the Roman city, Caesarea Maritima, reminded all of us of the inclusive nature of the Christ.  Saint Peter, stunned that that gospel and the accompanying blessing of the Holy Spirit, witnessed the breadth of God's love for all people.

We learned that history, tradition, and biblical stories are often debated by scholars.  The discovery of a stone with an inscription to Pontius Pilate settle once and for all that Pilate was not a fictional character.  Who knew?  

We saw mosaics, and cornices, palaces and aqueducts. But for some of us it was the unexpected that stirred the soul.  We stood over the prison where the Apostle Paul was kept for 2 years.  Imagine!  He may have felt the same refreshing breeze off the Mediterranean that we experienced today.  It was easy to picture him hearing the roar of the crowd during races at the adjacent hippodrome.  

Our spirits were revived at lunch, after which we headed to Mt. Carmel to see where Elijah won the ultimate reality show called, "Whose God is More Powerful?"

We shared communion together and consider once again our motivations for being here in this land at this time.  We were asked, "what do you need to let go of in order to fully enter in?"  It is a question of surrender and presence.

The top of Mt. Tabor brought a lecture on all the ways that Jesus revealed that he was truly the new Messiah.  The transfiguration became much more than dazzling clothes and voices from heaven.  

Finally, we arrived at our hotel that is situation right on the Sea of Galilee.  Home for the next 4 nights, we all can imagine the life and teaching of Christ to become more real.  

We are on our way!