Literally “the way of the sorrows”, this is undoubtedly the most famous street name in the Old City.  While portions of the path could be easily debated for historical accuracy or validity, it cannot be denied that this route of walking and meditation has been profound to Christian pilgrims for way over thirteen hundred years.

The true pilgrim would slowly and thoughtfully proceed along the way, stopping at each station, some very briefly and others for lengthy periods.  All sorts of devotional materials exist to lead one through the Stations of the Cross, the cheapest of which is a booklet that any guy on the street will sell you for $1.00.

Our walk was not that of the pilgrims. It was that of the time-pressed, we-can’t-dare-miss-our-bus tourists.  Continue reading →

Today we made our way to Jerusalem’s Old City.  Entering through the Dung Gate, we passed through security on our way up to the top of the Temple Mount.  The Temple Mount only opens twice a day, and our guide referred to it as the most “heated” piece of real estate in the world.  Why?  Because the Temple Mount is the land under the Dome of the Rock.

Our Jewish guide, Hannah, was an absolute treat!  Warm, passionate, informed—yet another wonderful teacher.  The morning schedule was packed to overflowing, so our pace was fast.  We saw the sights, but no doddling allowed this time around!

A few things the average wandering tourist might not know… Continue reading →

Today was “Monastery Day”, as we visited two in the wilderness landscapes just beyond Bethlehem.  Wisely, we began as early as we could to avoid some of the day’s heat.  Still, some of our group were cooked and dripping by the time we returned.

Mar Saba.  Charles had called this the “mother of monasteries”, but we weren’t sure why.  It’s not because it’s the largest one, though it does have an impressively large compound.  It’s not that it was the home to the most monks in days gone by—today, there are less than twenty monks who call this home.  Much of its claim to fame is found in its location.  It is perched on the edge of a cliff, overlooking a very deep wadi (a riverbed, sometimes dry, which funnels water from higher ground to lower; can be the sites of powerful flash floods).  The land around Mar Saba could be called “rugged”, and it’s certainly not the type of place one would choose to live…

Unless you were trying to get away. Continue reading →

Juxtaposition.  That was the word Charles used to describe the two church services we attended this weekend. Continue reading →