St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church

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Holy Land Pilgrimage Day 2

Posted by The Rev. Mark McKone-Sweet on

God’s humanity.

We take our first steps—where many pilgrims have stepped before us—on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the Old City. Our first steps where the ascension of Jesus occurred. As we stand in the place where he literally rose up and disappeared before wondering eyes, it’s hard to imagine God as human, even in the image of Jesus.

It’s hard, that is, until you look down and see a simple impression on the ground, touched and venerated by billions: what appears to be a footprint. It’s easy to be dismissive, to say, “Prove it.” If we were archaeologists looking for evidence, that might be our mindset. But our goal is quite the opposite. Our pilgrimage is to find Christ, to find God—in the humanity of our ancestors, in God’s people today, and in ourselves—and to rediscover how God is calling us to serve and love others tomorrow.

We do the good work of taking moments to pray at each location: where Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer; where Jesus prayed in the olive groves; where Jesus wept over his people, knowing the pain and suffering to come without the peace of God; where Jesus threw himself on the ground in surrender to God, ready to die for our sins. As we walk the Via Dolorosa, we recall the humiliation Jesus was subject to. We recall how humanity continues to fear, intimidate, and dehumanize God’s people with public displays of hatred that cripple our ability to remember Jesus’s love for us and stand united against evil. We recall how, just as Jesus transferred the love between himself and his mother to the care of his beloved disciple, he has entrusted us to love one another.

We wait for hours with people from around the world, incense enfolding us, candles burning, monks chanting, our anticipation growing as we approach the spot where Jesus died on the cross and was laid in the tomb—the tomb that was empty three days later. Standing with our fellow pilgrims, we grow quiet with wonder, all praying for forgiveness, healing, and hope.

Late last night, as we reflected on our first steps of our first day, we shared the absolute joy and awe of scripture coming to life before our eyes and in our hearts. And of the humanity of God in our midst. We had encountered an awakening of God within us—a yearning for peace in our hearts, our lives, and in the world.

We went to sleep knowing that on Valentine’s Day, we will go to the West Bank, to Bethlehem, and search for God’s humanity on the other side of the wall.

Pray for us, as we continue to pray for you.

Mark+

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