Maze: Farewell Jerusalem

Maze: America Israel Tour - Jerusalem Farewell

Farewell Jerusalem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN71OxJNETU

Chen, Most Excellent Tour Educator, handing us our certificate as bearer of educated JERUSALEM PILGRIMS.
http://americaisrael.us/

The group of 10 pilgrims from Illinois

L-R: Rick, Russel, Winona, Violeta, Self, Susan, Sandy, Julie, Mary Ann, & Gerry

Our Great Farewell Dinner

We shared food with our new friends and have been inspired by all the memories from our journey - memories that will last a lifetime.

Published  12/1/10  lib's labyrinth blogspot

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Maze: St. John the Baptist

Maze: St. John the Baptist

After breakfast, we drove through the new city of Jerusalem and passed by the Knesset - Israeli's Parliament to Ein Karem - the birthplace of John the Baptist (Luke 1.39-80). It was raining and did not take any picture of the scenery.

The Church of St. John the Baptist

At the church's courtyard - I was wearing my Jesus coat. I am never going to wash this blessed coat that lovingly touched many times the stone where the dead body of Christ laid in preparation for his burial. Since I came back from my tour I have rubbed the coat to my friends so they would be healthy always. Keep the faith, man! Only if you believe!!

Published  12/1/10  lib's labyrinth blogspot

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Maze: Map of Jerusalem

Maze: Map of Jerusalem

On our last day, by following the map we enjoyed a relaxing free day and explored the old and new section of Jerusalem.

The old Jewish Quarters

 

 

 

Published  12/1/10  lib's labyrinth blogspot

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Maze: Bethlehem and Shepherd's Field

Maze: Bethlehem and Shepherd's Field

Bethlehem and the Star of Shepherd's Field http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9iKo9ejHhE

We visited Bethlehem on the Palestinian side where a bus was waiting for us to go to the Church of Nativity (Luke 2: 1-7). I bought a candle for $3.00 to add to my sacred collection.
Where Baby Jesus is born. I bowed down and kissed the holy spot.
After lunch and a little bit of shopping, we ventured out to the Shepherd's Field, referenced in Luke 2:8-20, where an angel appeared to announce the birth of Jesus.

It took us almost an hour and a half of waiting in the border gate to be back on the Israeli side. Yep, as the Goddess of Convenience, I prepared myself to a lot of waiting at the Egyptian, Jordanian and Israeli borders. I knew there would be a lot of inconveniences and that's the inconvenient truth! It is what it is.

No worry - the Prince of Peace is coming.

Published  12/1/10  lib's labyrinth blogspot

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Maze: Basilique of St. Anne

Maze: Basilique of St. Anne and The Pool of Bethesda

Basilique of St. Anne in Jerusalem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOMQeg_sECg

St. Anne is the Mother of Mary and the maternal grandmother of Jesus. I never realized this: Jesus, on the contrary, came from a very prominent family. Baby Jesus is born on a manger only because the Holy Family did not make a reservation at the inn and there's no room for them.

L-R: Big Russ, Helen, Self, and Jane.

Published  12/1/10  lib's labyrinth blogspot
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Maze: Bet She'an

Maze: Bet She'an (Beth Shean)

Bet She'an National Park http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VavJd6WkcLs

After being baptized in the Jordan River (or re-baptized since I was baptized after a month of being born with 7 godfathers and godmothers) to cleanse me of the Original Sin, we then drove south along the Beth Shean Valley and the ancient city of Beth Shean (Mark 5.20, 7.31), for an overview of the remarkable archeological site. It was in this place that after defeating Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beth Shean (1 Samuel 31).

 

 

 

Published  12/1/10  lib's labyrinth blogspot

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Maze: Yardenit

Maze: Yardenit

Yardenit - Baptismal Site in the Jordan River http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxQmu3NoNTk


Written on the wall is the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in Tagalog - the official language of the Philippines - the only Roman Catholic nation in Asia.Brother Don did the baptismal rite - the heavens did not open and no dove came down but it's fine because it's the spirit that counts.

Sunday, January 9, 2009 - Baptism of Jesus

Shall we gather at the river,

Where bright angel feet have trod,

With its crystal tide forever,

Flowing by the throne of God?

(Refrain)

Yes, we'll gather at the river,

The beautiful, the beautiful river,

Gather with the saints at the river

That flows by the throne of God.

On the margin of the river,

Washing up its silver spray,

We will walk and worship ever,

All the happy golden day.

Ere we reach the shining river,

Lay we ev'ry burden down;

Grace our spirits will deliverer,

And provide a robe and crown.

Soon we'll reach the shining river,

Soon our pilgrimage will cease;

Soon our happy hearts will quiver

With the melody of peace.

* Text: 87 87 with refrain; Revelation 22:1-5. Music: Robert Lowry, 1826-1899


Published  12/1/10  lib's labyrinth blogspot
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Maze: Masada

Maze: Masada

Masada The Last Stronghold http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3Pk0iOGowo

After breakfast we drove along the shores of the Dead Sea to visit the most spectacular sites in Israel - the 1,500 feet mountaintop fortress of Masada. Built by King Herod, Masada is famous for being the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. Why conquer this place? The Romans after conquering everything they could conquer around and about just could not let go because it's the one and only stronghold they had not conquered. Our group ascended by cable car and discovered the 1st century synagogue, Herod's Bathhouse and many other sites.

The black line along the wall is the mark of reconstruction when the buildings were destroyed by an earthquake. I have noted on my mind there was no earthquake there since that time - only in the days of King Herod. He maybe great but he's bad news!

 

 

 

Published  12/1/10  lib's labyrinth blogspot

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Maze: Via Dolorosa

Maze: Via Dolorosa

Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross) 1 - 2010 AD http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ua2iHujFZM

We started our long walk along the Stations of the Cross from the Judgment Hall of Pilate, now a study room or some kind of office.

I Jesus is condemned to death

II Jesus takes up His Cross

III Jesus falls the first time under His Cross

IV Jesus meets Mary His Mother

V Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry His Cross

VI Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

VII Jesus falls the second time

VIII Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem

IX Jesus falls the third time

X Jesus is stripped of His garment

XI Jesus is nailed to the Cross

XII Jesus died on the Cross

XIII Jesus is taken down from the Cross

XIV Jesus is laid in the Tomb

The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary

1. Agony of Our Lord

2. Scourging at the Pillar

3. Crowning with Thorns

4. Carrying of the Cross

5. Crucifixion

New pilgrims ascending to the Lion's Gate. Everyday a new visitor to the old city.

 

 

 

Published  12/1/10  lib's labyrinth blogspot

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Maze: Qumran

Maze: Qumran

Secret of Qumran - Dead Sea Scrolls http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aSJsdRorJo

From Masada, we continued along the shores of the Dead Sea for a look out on the oasis of Ein Gedi, where David hid in a cave when running from Saul (1 Samuel 23). It's where David composed several of his Psalms.

Then we walked through the ruins of the Essene community. In this spot, an amazing cache of ancient biblical texts were discovered in 1947 - community called the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Published  12/1/10  lib's labyrinth blogspot
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Maze: Samaria

Maze: Samaria

The Inn of the Good Samaritan

The site is located on the main road between Jerusalem and Jericho. The road is 26 km in length, and links Jerusalem and the hill country with the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. It dates back to the First Temple period, and was generally known as the "Aravah Route," In the Second Temple period, the road gained further importance owing to Jericho, the hub of the main pilgrim routes from the Galilee, the Peraea in Transjordan (present day Jordan), and East Gilead. This road continued to ply Christian pilgrims during the Byzantine and Crusader periods. It connected Jerusalem with numerous monasteries near Jericho and the baptismal site on the banks of the Jordan River.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." He said to him, "You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live." But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus answered, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he came into the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, poruing on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, "Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return." Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?" He said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:25-37)

The parable achieved widespread fame in the Christian world. The Samaritan became a symbol of brotherhood and amity, of succoring the hurt, of compassionate concern for the weak and wretched, and of acts of kindness towards others.

The Archeological Site

Remains from the 1st century BCE to the 1st century CE were found throughout the excavation area. A palace dating to Herod's reign included a bathhouse, a mosaic floor, and rooms adorned with frescoes and stucco, and it continued in existence until the destruction of the Second Temple.



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