Bishop Nelson Perez and 50 pilgrims from the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland began a 10-day journey to the Holy Land on Oct. 23. The Catholic Community Foundation coordinated the trip and Deacon Dennis Conrad from St. Christopher Parish in Rocky River will be sending regular updates to share their experiences throughout the pilgrimage. His sixth installment is below.
The pilgrims spent the day in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. We began our day at the Shepherd’s Field. It is the site where the angels appeared to the shepherds who were watching their sheep when the angels announced that Jesus was born. This site has caves from the time of Jesus in which shepherds would have spent the night with their sheep. After touring the caves, the pilgrims visited the Chapel at the Shepherd’s Field which was built over the spot where the angels appeared. Then as pilgrims we toured the birthplace of Jesus in the Church of the Nativity. Pilgrims were able to touch the very spot where Jesus was born.
Today as we journeyed, I pondered if the sites we visited were the actual sites. Did someone mark these sites more than 2,000 years ago? While these sites have been celebrated for centuries and traditions have been handled down from generation to generation, what If the sites are incorrect?
Reflecting on this question led me to the story of doubting Thomas. He would not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead unless he could touch Jesus’ wounds. Jesus told Thomas and each of us that “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” As pilgrims -- whether in the Holy Land or anywhere in the world -- we need to see with body, mind, heart and soul. A pilgrim should always remember that we are all journeying home to the Father based on our faith.