HERE!

We are HERE! I am, with a wonderful team and by the grace of God, leading twenty one gals on the Something Greater Holy Land Pilgrimage!*

So far we have:

-joyfully visited Elizabeth’s house where John the Baptist was born and the “cousins” first met while still in the womb.

-crossed the border into Bethlehem and kissed the star where “God was made flesh and dwelt among us.”

-waded knee-deep in the muddy Jordan renewing our baptismal promises.

-ascended to the top of the Mount of Temptations, visiting the ancient monastery, praying in the very cave where Jesus prayed for forty days before being tempted by the devil, passing every test.

-walked the streets of Nazareth, seeing the magnificent Church of the Annunciation as well as “Mary’s house” and “Joseph’s house” (some might call them “caves” because that’s what they are!) witnessing the extremely sparse beginnings of our Savior’s life here on earth.

-celebrated the wedding feast at Cana, thankfully recalling that we are the bride of Christ and He is our Bridegroom, and we will be wise to “do whatever He tells us.”

With every step, for the past four days, I have realized what humble stock Jesus came from.

We are now staying on the Sea of Galilee where a full moon is rising up over the water’s edge reflecting its full-beamed glory into the deep. The rocky hill tops are covered in the fresh fuzzy start of a green beard dotted with brilliantly colored wildflowers. In all of its ruggedness and unkept wild-- Galilee is stunningly beautiful.

Marveling I look around-- the God of the Universe came to dwell HERE.

I am confronted by so many things that brush up against my very urban and sophisticated home of Washington DC. I am taken aback by Mary, Joseph and Jesus’ goodness, meekness, purity, generosity, gentleness, quiet-hiddenness, simplicity, joy, love and connection to the earth. So many things that in my everyday-city-dwelling-life, are not always treasured.

My challenge to you today: Be more like Mary, Joseph and Jesus! Pick one of the attributes listed above and ask for the grace to live it more deeply today. And pray for us to do the same.

God bless you from Israel! And it is not too late to sign up for the LOCAL PILGRIMAGE in Washington DC called BLESSED, April 10 and 13. Only a few spots left! Hurry!

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.” Matthew 5:5

Dear Lord,

Thank You for being so beautifully humble. May I choose to be more like You.

I ask this in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

*Follow the Pilgrimage on Facebook!