Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

In Palestine where Jesus was born, most things are made out of stone rather than wood, as wood is scarce and thus expensive. Because of this, the creche where Jesus was born was actually a cave used as a stable, rather than a wood building. We usually depict it was a wood building, because that is what Westerners usually make stables out of. I like the wood stable manger scene personally as it is a part of our enculturation of Jesus, but he was indeed born in a cave. Something cool to think about due to this is Jesus was born in a cave and was buried in one. As the new Adam he came forth from the earth and returned to it. 

Jesus spent most of his life quietly working in Nazareth. This is quite important for us Catholics when you think about it, as God spent most of his life not working grand miracles and calling attention to himself, but rather quietly and humbly working a hard manual job. In doing so, Jesus sanctified work, so that even our chores and jobs make us more like him. 

One thing which stuck out to me from the Sea of Galilee is how God calls us in the ordinariness of our lives. The apostles were just having another ordinary day, working their blue-collar jobs when Jesus encountered and called them. Jesus met them in the ‘ordinariness’ of their lives. He did not approach the apostles by coming in on the clouds with fire, he just walked up to them. In the same way, he meets us in the ordinariness of our lives, make sure you’re not missing him!

Dec. 31, 2022
Tagbah, Israel

We were blessed today to have Mass in Tabgha near the Church of the Primacy of Peter which houses the Mensa Christi, the stone where Jesus made breakfast for the Apostles while they were out fishing after Jesus' Resurrection. (Jn 21)  Mass was in one of the outdoor chapels with a mosaic of Pope Paul VI, who visited this site, along with all Popes since.  We had a clear view of the Church and Sea of Galilee as the Gospel about the questioning of Peter's love for Christ and his call by Christ to shepherd His sheep was being proclaimed.  I was able to look upon the site where this actually took place, in the mornig, with a view of the very sea where the Apostles and disciples were fishing. 

During the liturgy of the Eucharist I reflected upon the fact that Jesus is again feeding His followers here on the seashore, but not with mere fish and bread but His Body and Blood.  As I recieved Him in the Sacrament I am again saying, "I love you Jesus."  We seminarians who are preparing to shepard God's sheep soon are also asked by Jesus, through the Church and formation, "Do you love Christ and will you shepard Christ's sheep?"  I like Peter am able to answer,  "yes, I love You, but not as fully as I ought."  Peter was able to respond with filial love, while Christ asked for agape, or "all-in" love.  Yet, Jesus accepted where Peter was and graced him with strength, leadership, and greater and greater faith. These are gifts I hope to recieve through my upcoming ordination, where I will declair that I will serve God's sheep before fully leading His flock as a priest of Jesus Christ. 

Please pray for all those here on pilgrimage - seminarians from around the world, other Catholics, and non-Catholics - and all those who live near these holy places, that we all may be more and more open to the Father's working through these amazing places to draw us closer and closer to the Trinity.  Know that I am praying for you all as I travel amoung these places where Christ walked and the Church was born.