Mount of Olives, the Talmud and Bethlehem

Reflections for Monday and Tuesday, July 5 and 6.

We left early for a long day that would take us from the Mount of Olives to the tomb of Jesus at Holy Sepulchre. The tempurature was between 92 and 96F. This was the second or third time through some of these sites. We had a Lutheran Scholar, Father Timothy Lowe, PhD, to guide this troupe of pilgrims. I was challenged at the sites and the journey from site to site with how close to each other these sites are and how the journey would stir my spiritual core. Blending the context of the site 2000 years ago, as the archeologists have unpacked for us, along with the words of scripture - which are read as we move from holy site to holy site-and meld them into my soul as I stand here today in this holy place where families of various religous faiths struggle to accept one another will take me on a unique spiritual roller-coaster. As we arrive, we step into the Chapel of the Head of John the Baptist. The walls are covered with icons and since we are the only ones present, the opportunity for scripture and prayer is wonderful.

These three icons, Jesus, the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist will generally appear together in Russian Icons. Father Timothy has studied iconography extensively and it is a blessing to have him with us today. The chapel experience was a great way to start a long day. The breeze and vistas from this location are exceptions.

As we waited for the church to be open, we strolled the grounds. This is a view toward the east in the direction of Bethany. Jesus likely took this short walk from the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus to Jerusalalem on a regualr baisis. Today Jesus would have a challenge. Bethany is Palistinian and therefore it is surrounded by a 28ft wall, visible towards the bottom of this photo.

Another picture of the wall that prevents a person from retracing these steps of Jesus and further prevents the folks living here from working in Jerusalem without taking a rather long journey.

The Russian Ascension Church's Icons offered us an opportunity for mid-morning prayer. The deacons's door is the far door with the angel (appropriate!). Here the ascension passage from Luke is read and we have time for silent prayer. These opportunities have helped my personal journey move from tour to retreat.

We left and started down the Mount of Olives, stopping at the Peter Noster Church. The "Our Father" is in many languages on the wall. This is another location for quiet prayer in the beautiful courtyard. Two other groups are present and we can hear them praying in their languages (Spanish and French). Then we continued down the Mount of Olives and came to the Church of All Nations with the Sanctuary of Gethsemane. This place where Jesus prayed before his arrest is surrounded by ancient Olive Trees. It is busy, but once in the Church, it is very quiet.

To the left: Sign outside the Church of All Nations

Above: Rock used to commemorate the Agony in the Garden.

To the left is a view of the Church of All Nations from the entrance.

We spent some time at this location and read from scripture: Then going out he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived at the place he said to them, "Pray that you may not undergo the test." After withdrawing about a stone's throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, saying, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done." (And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground.) When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief. He said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test." While he was still speaking, a crowd approached and in front was one of the Twelve, a man named Judas. He went up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" His disciples realized what was about to happen, and they asked, "Lord, shall we strike with a sword?" And one of them struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said in reply, "Stop, no more of this!" Then he touched the servant's ear and healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests and temple guards and elders who had come for him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? Day after day I was with you in the temple area, and you did not seize me; but this is your hour, the time for the power of darkness."

We then proceeded down the Mount of Olives and entered the Old City through Lion's Gate that splits the Jewish Quarter and the Muslim Quarter. Working our way up the Via Dolorosa we entered the Holy Sepulchre and visited the tomb. A few of us are planning on spending a night here. If we arrive by 8PM we can be locked in the Church and the doors are opened just before midnight for liturgical services. This was a long hot day and getting back to Tantur was wonderul - evening prayer, dinner and a cool walk in the evening breeze finished a very spiritual day.

Tuesday, July 6. We met Debbie Weissman. Her PhD is from Hebrew University on the social history of Jewish women's education. She was and is a delight. We will have her again on Thursday.She is a founding member of Kehiliat Yedidya, an Orthodox synagogue where we will attend Shavat services on Friday. Her lecture was basic and yet challenging. Although her subject was "Between Bible and Talmud," she helped us discover issues from the origin of the Tanak to her views as a Jewish Feminist.

We relaxed Tuesday afternoon and went back to Bethlehem Tuesday evening. The Church of the Nativity was quiet and we had some prayerful time at the crib as well as at the Altar of the Holy Innocents. Although I was scolded by the guard for crossing my leg and thus showing my heel, I was able to correct my posture and have peacefilled time at the Altar of the Holy Innocents. It was quiet and I lost muself in prayer that was interupted by the sister responsible for extinguishing the candles entrance.

As we walked back through the checkpoint, we followed a Palestinian woman who was struggling to enter as she set off the alarm because of the buttons on her coat. The interesting thing was that I also set off the alarm and after trying many solutions, discovered it was my belt that never set off the alarm at the airport or at any state prison. It must be very sensitive. We left this woman as she was objectging to removing her outer garmet for the male guard. Please pray for peace in this part of God's kingdom. We have no idea of how difficult their day to day life is in the midst of a constant fear.

Peace and blessings,