Two people have said to me they hoped to have a blog about the visit a few of us made to the Holy Land from 15-22 March. It has been on my mind not only to write about it but also to contact again the 30 others who were part of the pilgrimage.

Some of our group at Qumran, The Dead Sea in the background. Fourth day together.

Only 24 of us journeyed from Britain, but an integral part of our Pilgrimage was our unique guide, the young Hungarian, Laszlo, who resides in Jerusalem; also, were those looking after us, a bit like ‘guardian angels’, especially Annie Brechet– a Belgian – who also lives in Jerusalem. She makes all the arrangements for these visits on behalf of the ‘Focolare’ Movement, and does so superbly. Then, there are her companions from the ‘Focolare’ community in Jerusalem, including Gerard, a Frenchman who lives there, as well as the Palestinians and Jews we met, who are involved in working for unity, like Jessica, Nadal and Rima.

The living stones: Palestinians and others who live in the Holy Land at Nazareth, mainly young people: Laszlo our guide on the left on the second day.

How does one write about something, when simple words are not equal to the task in hand? That has been the challenge. One of our most notable visits was to Mount Tabor, the traditional site of the Transfiguration, and it was here that the Apostles were struck dumb by what they had seen and witnessed and Peter mumbled: “Lord it is good for us to be here….”  I would say the same about our experience. We did not see the Lord with his clothes as white as light, (Mt. 17:6), yet our hearts were burning within us, (Lk24;32), for our eyes had been opened in a way that went beyond expectations. It was good to have been there. 

From the start, Laszlo spoke about our visit being an experience of the ‘fifth gospel’ as the Holy Land is called, (i.e. the fifth way in which the good news (Gospel) comes to people); the fifth way to explain, or experience, what happened, and what is continuously happening as the Word becomes Flesh, spanning across human time and space.

A view of the hills of Galilee from Mount Tabor.

Once here, visiting these special places, one is struck, forcibly by the fields, sky, hills, the distances (very close, sometimes, as at the crucifixion and burial / resurrection sites), by the water, the desert, the River Jordan, and the tension among the people because of the politics; then there is the food, the fruit, the sun, the Sea of Galilee, the sites where monumental things happened.  One cannot help but be moved by the ‘living stones’ of the people who live there, and are trying to live ‘Love’, exemplified in the welcome from the community of Nazareth sisters and helpers in Galilee, the welcome from those running the Franciscan hostel in Bethlehem, and much more besides – all these contribute to that unmistakable sense of Jesus’ presence – i.e. the presence of something ‘beyond’, of God, and of his Spirit, who is ‘Love’. We had another ingredient, however, and that ingredient was the one that, for me, is absolutely necessary for a successful visit to the Holy Land. I have in mind the desire, of many of our group of pilgrims, to live always, wherever they are, with the presence of Jesus among them – all day long in their daily living, for “… where two or three are gathered in my name there am I in the midst of them” (Mt.18:20). And so, with that ingredient, mingled with the ‘fifth gospel’, it was no wonder the experience went beyond words. 

The start was a good omen. We arrived from England, on three different flights into Tel Aviv airport and this, itself, was joyful moment; once the company was all assembled, we set off for Nazareth in our coach, and the services of our friendly, expert driver, and a wonderful welcoming reception. Not only were the local people very friendly, but in each room, every person found a small present specially arranged for them:

First night in our rooms

We were all well aware that the local people, who gave us these presents, were not ‘well off’, but they went out of their way to ‘surround’ us with their love. Those who waited on us, at table, were very welcoming and friendly. On arrival, it was bitterly cold, much colder than the England we had left, yet each person’s room was equipped with a superb heater, which actually made the rooms almost too hot. We visitors really enjoyed our stay in Nazareth, the house situated just some 50 yards from the Basilica of the Annunciation. 

I think it is true to say that all of us were tired on arrival, as the journey from Britain had been a long one and most of us had had early starts, and so forth.  The very next day, we were due to go to Cana, the sit of the famous wedding where Jesus had turned the water into wine. The coach, we were told, was due to leave at 9.00 am.  One of our party, who was unable to hurry, could not make it for that time, yet this did not worry us at all. When this happened I thought, to myself, ‘goodness, how will we manage, if this is what will happen,’ as I had been to the Holy Land before, and knew the importance of being on time? In fact, although it might be difficult for some people to keep to the times of departure, throughout the whole seven days, we managed to do everything on schedule; the fact that a person, not having the same ability as another  to be on time, made no difference. 

Cana was special, in its own way, because of course, the story of the Gospel incident is used at many a wedding.  Somebody suggested that those who wished might renew their marriage vows, at this place. This we did, very simply; in fact all those, in vows, did the same. This was a good solid way to begin our time together, as it was spontaneous and ‘out of the blue’, but people much appreciated that moment.  In a way, it was just as much an experience, as of the water changing into wine.

Cana water jars – water into wine in seven of these!

Most of the group outside the Church of Cana in Galilee on the second day

We had more delights that day, with many more to follow on the remaining days of our pilgrimage. These, I hope to be able to describe later, God willing. Already, on this first day of our experiences, we felt a very united group. By the end, we really did feel that we had belonged to each other, in a close way, after having shared so much. One of our final photos was at Haifa, on the day we all caught our three respective planes back to England.

The eighth and last day at Haifa

I thank my readers for their expressed desire to read about in my most recent exploits in the Holy Land.  Truly, it has meant a great deal to me.  There is much still to recount, and relying on your continuing interest, I hope to be able to complete the story in the near future, perhaps in more than one instalment.

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