Friday, December 4, 2015
Christmas to Easter - in two days!
As Bethlehem gets ready to celebrate the Birth of Jesus, a giant tree is put up in Manger Square. I venerated the star that marks the spot where Jesus was born. The Church of the Nativity is on one side of Manger Square, and on the opposite side is a mosque, pointing out the ubiquitous presence of the three religions existing in close proximity in this Holy Land: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. There is no quiet place to pray in the Church of the Nativity, so I prayed next door in the Church of St. Catherine, the parish church of the local Catholics in Bethlehem. Just two days later, I was privileged to be able to celebrate Holy Mass right inside the tomb of Jesus, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. I could hardly get the words of the Mass out of my mouth I was so overcome with emotion - being in the place where Jesus rose from the dead! Later, I viewed the split rock that seismographers have determined split in the earthquake at the moment that Jesus died on the cross.
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What an awesome experience--------performing the Fraction Rite (re-enactment of The Resurrection) at its original site! You will can recall this treasured moment at every Mass from now on.
ReplyDeleteI don't know who has been more blessed, you for having this experience or your parishioners who are going to enjoy your "glow" from this experience just in time for Christmas! LKH.
ReplyDeleteThis is all very very impressive. How can you possibly top this? Thank you for all the photos and descriptions. Linda
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing, Father. I had an absolutely amazing experience at Mass this morning - it was one of those rare moments where I was just enveloped with a deep sense of peace and joy. We are truly looking forward to you returning - praying especially for safe travels home. Blessings - Kathleen
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