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(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.

Calm before the Chaos

My last day before leaving on vacation from work is invariably hectic and stressful as I try to wrap everything up with the neatest of bows. And the night before I leave for a trip is invariably hectic because I am a procrastinator when it comes to packing. (Though this time I opened up the suitcase and started putting a few garments in two days before my trip to the Holy Land.)

Yet on Thursday morning, before heading into a nonstop block of meetings, I took the time and made space for calm. Below is the epistolary (letter) poem that I wrote and above is the view that I had during my morning workout.

3/2/2023 9:28 am

Dear Making Time,

In this morning of space and calm, I make time for you. In this thought full of presence and free from worry, I make time for my body. I make time in time for today, this minute, this moment is all I have. This time of now is all I see. This is all that is.

Swaying branches dance with wind outside my window. Remind me to Be. Here. Now. To dance with the raindrops for we are all here together. And in accepting this moment, I can love what is within me. As it is. As I am. As this life unfolds the creases of my heart.

And that is what time is.

With love in presence,

Slow Morning

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.