Good Morning,

We leave today for Tel Aviv and then board a plane tomorrow for home. The five weeks have been wonderful. We have experience this holy place today and in many cases 2000 or 3000 or more years ago through the eyes and studies of the archeologists. We have struggled with computer glitches here for a week and thus I have been remiss in sending updates. However, fear not, Diane and I have more than 3000 photos!! Best to get your excuses ready!

This week we have continue to visit the land where Jesus walked or the land that tradition says Jesus walked. I will never read the gospels the same way again. We visited the home of Elizabeth and Zachariah and read Luke's account of this Church tradition. We visited a cave that the church selected to memorialize where John the Baptist was hiding so he would not be part of the Holy Innocents.

We were not scheduled to visit the Dome of the Rock - where Islam belives that Mohammad took his night ride to heaven from. This is the third holiest place for the Islam faithful. However, Frank was not to be denied. I played the "academic card" and was able to talk to the Shiek, who appointed a lectorer and guide for us. I was able to get all 27 of us in. Incredible experience!

Today, our group had Mass on Golgatha. Since the archeologists now concede that the place of Jesus burial is highly likely, this makes this location highly likely. As I read John's Gospel, I could feel a presence of the Spirit that was strong and present. Yesterday, Israeli guards entered the Muslim quarter and expelled 9 Palestinian families. This was three blocks from where we were praying. We prayed again for God's peace in this place and throughout the world.

I have enjoyed this blog attempt. Sorry for the missing days, but as I said at the outset, we come home prepared to talk about the stones from 2000 years ago and the living stones today and believe me they both have stories to tell.

We will be home early Sunday afternoon!

Peace, blessings and love to all,
Frank