Western Wall… day 8 (morning)

     We started the morning tour of the southern and western walls in the Temple Mount . It was Bar mitzvah day and the way toward the Western  Wall had constant processions of Bar mitzvah celebrations . It was so fascinating to watch the boys surrounded by their family and some community members as they march towards the Western Wall with music. Learning about the laws of the temple was also pretty fascinating - things about how taxation and sacrificial fees are being done during the time of Christ. We walked around the steps of the temple during the time of Jesus. We also had a chance to pray and leave our prayers/intentions on the wall. The men and women are separated. The men section is so much bigger as in Judaism , they’re the ones that are required to pray and allowed to enter inside the Synagogue. Gabe had the chance to go inside the synagogue with a yahmakah on his head. 

The men’s side of the Western Wall

                       

Touching the wall and leaving all my prayer intentions .

Gabe inside the Synagogue 

Gabriel after visiting the Synagogue 

One of the many Bar mitzvah processions 

 After the well, we headed downhill to the Church of St Peter the site where he denied Christ 3 times in Gallicantu. From Gallicantu, you can visualize the Garden of Gethsemane. It only took 40 minutes for the Roman soldiers from this point to capture Jesus in the Garden. He had the chance to escape up to the Mount of Olives but He knew that " It was the hour" when He will be destined to die. 

Church of St Peter in Gallicantu

We broke for lunch around the Jewish quarter in the old city. We both had burgers ( without cheese of course- kosher law). Shopped around and bought a Menorah.

Pics from the Jewish Quarter below:

Our new Menorah 🕎 

Just Inside the Zion Gate to the old city ...

After our lunch break, the bus dropped us off in the Mount of Olives. 

The Holy Eucharist - Day 7

      The Sunday mass celebration at the Cenacle ( in the Upper Room) where the Last Supper was held  and where Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Mass was so symbolic today. Dr. Scott Hahn,  a former protestant evangelist and now a Catholic Apologetic stated in his book The Lamb's Supper that the mass is simply a taste of Heaven on Earth. As a cradle and practicing catholic, I crave attending the mass at least every week. It's my obligation to myself to experience my regular encounter with Christ in the Eucharist. Here's a link to Dr Hahn's website: 

https://www.scotthahn.com/resources-1/2016/1/14/the-lambs-supper

The church at the Cenacle ( the Upper Room)-  where Jesus celebrated the last supper  with his apostles. The pilgrims preparing for mass. 

The view of the church from the Garden

We crossed to Palestine through the disputed West Bank, Jericho all the way to River Jordan where Christ was baptized. We all renewed our baptismal rites as Father Ryan sprinkled us with the water from the River. 

The River Jordan

Gabe bowing down for the baptism 

We had lunch at the Qumran National park after walking around the site where the Dead Sea scrolls were found .

One of the caves where the shepherd boys found the scrolls 

The Dead Sea Scrolls were found Along this mountain range . Intact copy of the Old Testament 

The caves where the early monks lived in a commune 

Panoramic view from

The Qumran overlooking the Dead Sea 

   Finished the day floating on the Dead Sea and drove back to Jerusalem while enjoying the beautiful sunsets over the Judean wilderness and over Mount of Olives  along the way.

Floating vertical 

The Dead Sea loses 4 feet of water level every year due to human consumption. The flash floods from

Jerusalem flows down to the Dead Sea normally . Now it’s diverted to irrigate farmlands . 

Sunset over the Judean wilderness closed

To Jericho where Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days 

Sunset over Mt Olives from Palestine to Jerusalem 

Redeeming Love: Day 6

 Day 6(Sabbath day in Jerusalem) : Visits to The Holy Sepulcher in the old city of Jerusalem and to ABU Gosh ( the road to Emmaus ) in the church of Our Lady of the Resurrection. 

Along the walls toward the Jaffa Gate in the old city Jerusalem 

     It was Saturday morning the day of the Sabbath when we walked to the old city through the Jaffa Gate. It was quiet this morning as some of the shops began to open slowly. When we reached the Christian quarter, the shops with religious articles were out on display along the large cobblestone walkways. We headed directly to the Holy Sepulcher Church and started lining up toward the tomb of Jesus.  The church is guarded by the Greek Catholic/ Orthodox religious community. The line to the tomb was expectedly long but we’re there early enough that it’s not as overwhelming.  This was when the real challenge happened for me . My plan was to be in a proper mindset before seeing the Lord’s tomb yet it took quite awhile because of the noise around me. Some conversations were getting louder and for me , it’s irreverent. After centering myself in prayer , I meditated and started reciting the rosary quietly with my eyes closed . After 2 mysteries ( all the joyful and sorrowful mysteries - meaning 30 mins plus 15 mins wait) , we were standing outside the tomb. I peered through the small entry and it was dark and only lit up by candles . A Greek Orthodox deacon was inside directing people when and where to go inside the tomb. Only 4 people at a time were allowed inside. Then Gabe and I made it to the holding area just before the tomb when I started feeling weak. Then I heard the voice “ next please” that it was finally our turn. 

We all knelt directly in front of the tomb then I felt this  GREAT SURRENDER. .. I trembled, trembled, trembled ! ! ! 

    I stretched out my arms over Christ’s tomb and sobbed . It was HIS LOVE that took my pain away at that very moment while it slowly escaped my body. All I can think of prayerfully was “ into your hands , I commend my spirit “ and  cried out to him from the deepest core of my spirit to “ remember me when you come into your kingdom”. I felt his touch through my husband’s arms around me . My last thoughts before I left the place where he was laid to rest was God’s sacrifice because of his GREAT LOVE FOR US.

Inside the walls of the old city

Outside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher 

Inside the church as pilgrims patiently stood in line to see the tomb to venerate the Lord

The door before the tomb 

Calvary site

Candles lit up by the foot of the cross

    Outside the tomb, I continued to cry and pray until I had enough strength to climb up to the upper chapel where Calvary used to be, where  Jesus was crucified . We lit up an offertory candle for all whom we know are carrying their crosses . 

    Before mass, Gabe and I went outside the church to catch some air and treated ourselves with Arabic coffee before mass.

The mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was held between the tomb and Calvary. The Catholic Chapel is small but the acoustics were incredible . All 120 of us fit inside . The gospel and the homily today was about God’s Redeeming Love. I was reminded about HIS ULTIMATE SACRIFICE by dying on the cross to save us .

Mass Inside the Holy Sepulcher 

Fr. Ryan of St James Cathedral, Seattle 

After the Mass, we had a 2 hour free time to walk around the old city . We had lunch in the Arab Quarter at a restaurant called Abu Shukri for some authentic Palestinian food . We also walked along the Via Dolorosa. Before boarding our bus to our next destination, Gabe and I bought knafe ( a typical Arab sweets ) and shared with our small group . It was such a treat.

From top counterclockwise ( Pita, hummus,, baba ghanouj and felafel)

The 5th Station

Knafe- layers with cheese and drizzled with honey and pistachios 

Our afternoon consisted of a visit to the site of Emmaus where Jesus walked from Jerusalem with 2 disciples and broke bread with them later that night . A very important story in the Bible . St Augustine stated that this is the affirmation of all the prophecies in the Old Testament about the Messiah’s passion , death and resurrection . Therefore , it bridges the Old and New Testaments.

The church is a Crusaders’ church and now a monastery where they make the best Limoncello in Israel.

Frescos inside the church of Our Lady of the Resurrection 

The oldest baptismal font in the world 

Pieta

“   I am the Resurrection and the light “ says the Lord . 

Thank you for reading .