Author: alwaysbridging

Taken Blessed Broken Given

Sometimes it writes itself: Immediately after the service at the outdoor chapel between the Sea of Galilee and the Church of the Multiplication, I posted this with fresh pomegranate juice in hand and e-juice on the bus.

During his homily, Steve encouraged us to live “eucharistically.” Literally, this word means “giving thanks.”

Some days it’s easy to do.

(We are staying at Pilgerhaus on the shores of the Sea of Galilee for 3 nights. Today we visited the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, Cana and Mount Tabor.)

Results of Liminal Space

Tonight what strikes me as most relevant is the rich variety of humanity in this Holy Land. My binary understanding, namely political Israel/Palestine, coupled with the Christian stories of Jesus, has been blown to smithereens.

At this crossroads of the Middle East, the swirl of languages, religions and body and dress characteristics of the locals and the tourists is magnificent.

My global view expanded more when this current-day version of Flat Stanley (see photo and Wikipedia) was added to the mix. My friend has brought this traveler along; she seeks photo opportunities to illustrate the territory he’s covered and the friends he’s made. Besides reminding me of another swath of world religions, this Japanese divinity, while enlightened, is happy to postpone Buddhahood until all is healed.

Would that we all could seek peace in this way.

(We made it! On the bus, heading to Galilee. A few travel day details below.)

The Gift of Sleep

Usually I can’t turn my whirring mind off enough to sleep on long flights crossing oceans.

First, I found a new mantra from Psalm 4:8 “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.”

Then beautiful Arzu took care of me. She says her name means desire in Turkish.

I fell asleep praying, “May God’s desire become my desire.”

Amin.*

*Another word Arzu taught me. It means Amen in Turkish.

Pilgrimage or Tour?

When I head to Israel/Palestine/Jordan (via Turkey) tonight, I’ll be surrounded by my travel mates from Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle.

Recently, when I was asked if I’m a missionary, I was stunned. That word usually has an ambitious and judgmental tone to me. The short answer is no.

I am a pilgrim. While I am curious about the place to which I travel, homeland to three of the world’s largest religions, I seek more understanding about what is internal rather than external. In the next 14 days as I post this travelogue, I bet I’ll use the word “tour” for the sake of variety. Also, the 30 of us will be led and shepherded by guides. Thank God!

For your convenience, I plan to post links to Facebook daily. Even to Instagram, if I can get advice from the more e-facile amongst us.

Know this:

I am “positively drenched in enthusiasm,
I don’t know why. And yet, why not.
I wouldn’t persuade you from whatever you believe or whatever you don’t. That’s your business.” *

I hope you travel with us. Let’s see what happens.

*From Mary Oliver’s Poetry for Spring

From Piling to Packing

Tomorrow I head to the Holy Land so today is the day the piles get whittled down and contained. ¡Ojala! It helps that Philippians 4:13 was read aloud during the service this morning.

Israel, Palestine, Jordan. I’ll even add Turkey to my life list because we change planes in Istanbul on Saturday afternoon.

Tomorrow is the day my blog posts will start serving as my travelogue. I will repost on Facebook for the two week duration of our pilgrimage. I am looking forward to that.