Last Sunday morning, forty one people and I arrived at Hopkins Airport having completed our eight day pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Everyone agreed that these days were uniquely special as we had the opportunity to be in the land of our Savior, Jesus Christ for those precious days.
Many of the people remarked that they had had a number of travels over the years, but that this trip was different. I earnestly believe their statements got to the heart of the matter for we had all been on a pilgrimage and not on a sightseeing tour. Certainly we saw many very interesting places and beautiful buildings and countryside. However, the focus of our time together was the being on pilgrimage--a journey of our desire to grow closer to God in our lives, as a mirror of our life's journey to God, God willing, for all of eternity. Thus, our eyes and our ears were open to what was all around us. None of us were disappointed.
First and foremost we celebrated Mass each day as a group of forty two people. Our days began the best way possible. And each day beginning with Mass all the Faithful of our Diocese were remembered at the altar of God. Truth to be told we prayed for ourselves and those around us, and in a very special way for all the Faithful for as each day came and went we appreciated that we belonged to the Church of Cleveland, and accordingly prayed for those home in Cleveland.
Click PLAY to view images from the Pilgrimage Being in the Holy Land with literally thousands of travelers and pilgrims converging into a relatively small area, one cannot help but realize we each belong to the same reality--we are members of the Body of Christ. The presence of believers in Jesus Christ is most impressive as one meets fellow Catholics from Korea or the Sudan or from Costa Rica or from Stockton, California each and every one of whom are on their personal journey in community to travel into closer union with the Lord.
Over the days we had various prayer opportunities of spending quiet time in a church or in a garden reflecting on God Who loved us so much He sent His only Son to be like us in all things but sin. What a feeling to be in these environs where the Lord Himself had been present for our sakes, as the letter to the Philippians states so beautifully-- "...in Christ Jesus, Who though He was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
Rather, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave...He humbled Himself becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross."
We also had the opportunity to renew our baptismal promises in the Jordan River and for those who were married, they renewed their marriage vows in the church in Cana. Many in the group voiced deep gratitude for these opportunities to enrich their lives and to increase their commitment.
Again, trying to build on these experiences, there were Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer each one celebrated to assist us in experiencing prayerful time together. The night before we left the Holy Land our group traveled to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray in a church there called the Church of All Nations. We offered individually and communally an hour of prayer with readings from the Gospels, personal prayer, and the hearing of the beautiful hymn, The Holy City, sung by one of our pilgrims.
Also, one morning all of us were out of the hotel to travel into the Old City of Jerusalem to pray the Stations of the Cross beginning at 6:30 a.m. singing the hymn, At The Cross Her Station Keeping. As we finished a bit after 7:15, we went into the Holy Sepulchre Church for the celebration of Mass. Father Michael Gurnick and I had the awesome privilege of celebrating Mass in the Tomb in the larger church.
Alongside all of what we experienced in the days of our pilgrimage, we also experienced many wonderful people, people who were on pilgrimage and people who lived and worked in the areas we visited. In a special way we met faith-filled Catholics who in so many cases were born in the Holy Land itself. For example, our guide was born in Bethlehem as a Catholic and had a strong love for his faith and home he had in the Holy Land. However, being a Christian in the Holy Land is not easy.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have mentioned the plight of Christians who live not only in Palestine, but also across much of the Middle East. This situation is verified by the large numbers of Christians who have left their homeland for other places which in their judgment are safe for parents and their children, and for older people. Christians have lived there for centuries and now are being made to fear their own surroundings and those who have power. Thus, exodus!
I had the privilege to speak with a number of these people who deeply desire to stay in their homes, in their fatherland. Two men in particular I remember very well for their message was voiced with great passion as they asked me for my prayers that the peace of Christ may reign in the hearts of all. Also, I was asked to ask you who are reading this column to pray the same message.
As we belong to the Body of Christ we must be concerned for our brothers and sisters in the Faith--pray, pray, for peace. And lastly, over the time in the Holy Land I never felt uneasy or anxious--Do Not Be Afraid. If you have the opportunity to go to the Holy Land, do not hesitate as such a travel has much to offer spiritually for yourself, and your presence gives Christians encouragement to stay as you may support them in many various ways.
From The Holy City we need to sing
"... the gates were opened wide;
And all who would might enter,
And no one was denied,
No need of moon or stars by night
Or sun to shine by day,
It was the new Jerusalem
That will not pass away."
(The above column by the Most Reverend Richard Lennon, Bishop of Cleveland originally appeared in the Friday, October 25, 2013 issue of the Catholic Universe Bulletin, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Cleveland.)