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This was the first full day of the Pilgrimage. I found myself inspired to take photos where church met sky; the image above was my favorite photo from the collection. We were on top of Mount Tabor and this cross calmly sat on ruins from the Byzantine era. (Guess how many takes it took to get this shot without any people or my lingering ring finger in it?)

And now, some end of day poetry…

3/5/2023 9:57 pm

Dear The Shift,

When the hours came close to me for my departure and your arrival, I felt your energy swirling round. A new perspective: I knew I had to face you. Change the way I see what I lack in this world. While I search for that I miss, I am blind to the bird who sings her gifts for me. A mourning song awakens my morning run to the sea.

I lie here in the region of Galilee, longing only to be, while wrapped in stories of ruins built stone upon stone. What is pilgrimage if not a personal mission to find answers to questions that you did not ask?

I have not found one yet. And that is good. For it is I who spent my lifetime looking. In these holy days, I hope to just be. In a cricket’s silent night, I raise my head to sky and follow the moon’s trail. He shall lead me to the beginning of my fate. And I will find you there.

Without a plan,

Pilgrim Seeking Pilgrimage

(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