Travel to this land must be that or so much opportunity and deep understanding will have been lost. To travel here is to go home with so many images that create both tension in thought and discovery of meaning. In truth, I believe that people with great diversity in culture and religion, live together here in Jerusalem better than our US media would have us believe. A number of us went to the Western Wall last night to observe the beginning of the Sabbath, which starts with sundown. It is a celebration that includes dancing and singing and a sense of joy. To remember the sabbath and keep it holy is deeply ingrained into Jewish life. There is wisdom in setting aside a day a week for rest.
From the wall we walked through the Muslim quarter to return to our hotel. The narrow passageways were crowded with Jews, Muslims, soldiers, tourists from many lands, all passing one another in peace. It is more the norm than what we read.
Earlier in the day we had spent time with Nihad and his wife Silwa. It was good for us to hear a Palestinian perspective and understand a bit better the issues for Palestinians. It is all of these images that shout for attention as one travels and it is those impressions that help form new thought in the ideas of living. Meet Nihad and Silwa, faithful Christians seeking to respond to God's call.
We head to Caesarea by the sea today to complete our trip by thinking about how The Apostle Paul carried the gospel into the gentile world.
Blessings Mary
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