Commentary for Tuesday 1-22-13

Tuesday 1/21

What a day. We started at the Church of the Holy Seplecher (got up at 4am to avoid tourists) and toured this beautiful place where Jesus was crucified and buried. We were so fortunate to be invited into the tomb and participated in Mass, touching the stone where Jesus was laid. So we started the day with the resurrection and ended it with His birth in Bethlehem. This one day was worth the whole trip and we could leave at this point satisfied. We can't believe we have a whole week ahead of us.

After our early morning adventure into Jerusalem we went with the group to Ein Karem - the birth place of John the Baptist and Church of the Visitation and then on to Bethlehem - lunch at Abu Shanab then to Church of the Nativity, St. Jerome's cave and Mass in St. Catherine's.

Our first stop was the birth place of John the Baptist. At many holy sites a church has been built over the site to preserve it. This Church is a beautiful example of a Byzantine styled church. The place where John was born is preserved in the lower section of the church, as you can see from the pictures.

The gospel of Luke explains the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth and how they were unable to conceive in their old age. The angel Gabriel came to Zechariah to tell him they would conceive and they will call him John. Because of his dis bbelief was struck mute. It wasn't until the baby was born and Elizabeth intended to name him John that Zechariah spoke. John was not a family name and relatives were concerned, Zechariah was handed a writing pad and wrote, "his name is John". Immediately he could speak. Luke 1:76-79 "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, when the day shall dawn upon us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

Now Zechariah was eventually killed by command of Herod because he would not give up the location of his child John, and Elizabeth hid the boy in the wilderness until the death of Herod.

For Catholics in particular, this site causes one to reflect and examine their conscience. It is a place to ask St. John for guidance to help you prepare your heart for Jesus.

Our next stop, the Church of the Visitation

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. This basilica and crypt were built to commemorate the site at which the visitation took place, but also conserves the memory of the hiding of St. John the Baptist during the slaughter of innocents. Tradition says that Elizabeth requested that the mountain receive a mother and son while being pursued by Herod's soldiers. The mountain opened up and the soldiers returned confused, not finding them. It is also said that a spring kept Elizabeth and John supplied with fresh water. The hiding place exists today and cannot be seen from above or from downhill looking up, the spring exists also and feeds the well in the crypt below the church. The courtyard marks the spot where Mary spoke what we know as the Magnificat after Elizabeth's greeting. In the 14th century the sanctuary was under the care of Armenian monks, who left it shortly afterwards. The Franciscans acquired the site in 1679.

Next stop, Bethlehem

We had a beautiful lunch at Abu Shanab. A huge variety of traditional starters, then grilled chicken and lamb kabobs. Chris and I tried the local brew, Tey beh. Everything was delicious, and a Turkish coffee gave us the jolt we needed to keep going.

Church of the Nativity (Basilica and Grotto of the Nativity) Grotto of St. Jerome and Church of St. Catherine. Starting with the Basilica. You will see from the pictures that the entrance is not grand in any way. The doorway was made intentionally small to force a person to bend over and remember to have reverence for the area you are entering. There is so much history here I could go on for days. The Basilica, where the grotto of the nativity is located is controlled by Greek Orthodox, the attached Church of St. Catherine is run by the Franciscans and used for the Catholic community of Latin rite. Under this church is the grotto of St. Jerome, sort of a series of catacombs, this is where we had our catecheisis and meditation. St. Jerome dedicated most of his life to studying sacred scripture and writing the Latin version of the Bible (the Vulgate). He did most of this in the very room we were listening to scripture. The grotto of the Nativity resides under the Basilica. You descend down to view the area which marks the spot of the manger and birth of Jesus. This area has limited access because when Mass is in session, it is closed. Mass happens on a very continual basis, however, we were so fortunate we were able to visit it once, then we celebrated Christmas Mass in the church of St. Catherine and we went to the nativity again after Mass. I personally have a whole new appreciation for the Christmas season.

As I mentioned at the start, we began the day with His resurrection and ended it with His birth...it was a good day.