If It Is Easy, It's Not for Us

Wow! What a remarkable experience to travel to Israel and see the Holy Land with Father Jerry, Father Bob and the rest of the Sacred Heart Pilgrims. At the conclusion of our trip we discussed our favorite “top five” moments that will live forever in our memories.

Joanne's Favorite five are:

• Mass on a boat on the gorgeous Sea of Galilee
• Riding camels to dinner at Abraham's Tent tent in the Judean desert
• Lathering with mud and bobbing in the waters of the Dead Sea
• Everyone singing on the bus as we excitedly entered the ancient city of Jerusalem
• Looking at Richard's gorgeous blue eyes as we renewed our Wedding Vows at the Church Peter-in-Gallicantu.

Richard's Favorite five are:

• Witnessing pilgrims from all over the world attending the religious sites we visited especially the Romanians singing at the site of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem and the Ethiopians struggling up the Mount of Temptation outside Jericho – These pilgrims make the sites holy. 
• Riding the camels to Abraham's Tent and feeling the evening breeze in the Judean desert. The English words Wind, Breath and Spirit merge into one word in Hebrew: Ruach. Let's all say that word together, now.
• Experiencing the geography of the Galilee, Golan Heights and the Judean Desert. I can follow the Jesus' route from Galilee to Jerusalem in my mind. I understand the importance of the Golan Heights watershed for the Sea of Galilee, the water supply for Israel. In the Middle East, water is everything.
• Driving a Tom Car ATV to the Syrian border. Here one can witness how peaceful this part of the world could be.
• Being baptized in the Jordan River. Last in line, as I watched almost everyone ahead of me grimace as they anticipated a dunking in the chilly water, I decided to be happy. And I was! When I listened to the old spiritual, Michael, Row the Boat Ashore, many many years ago, the Jordan River formed deep and wide in my mind. In reality, it is not the wide Mississippii. In the song, the Jordan is a metaphore for life that we must cross in good fashion to reach the other side. The song is still as beautiful as ever. 

 

The Babylonians destroyed the first temple in 586 BCE; the Romans burned down the second temple on the very same day in 70 CE. The Muslims built a mosque called the Dome of the Rock at the exact location of the temple in 691 CE. Some believe the third temple will come down from heaven. When it does - talk about a collision of religions! A merger, although it could happen, is not likely in the Middle East. Marian, our guide said Israelis have a saying “If it's easy, it's not for us.”

 

It was very easy for us, riding along in an air conditioned bus, staying at two five star hotels and eating at wonderful restaurants. Religious sites although sometimes crowded were made holy by the presence of pilgrims from all over the world. The pastoral border with Syria was peaceful. The roads were smooth and well marked. From our isolated tour bus, everything was as normal as suburban America. I know it isn't but I would have no fears planning a second trip with a Lonely Planet guide or a Friendship Force exchange.

We are so grateful we could experience the Holy Land - What a blessing!  Remembering Marian now, "Take what you need, leave the rest. Let's go!"