Israel 2016

I have often spoken of the power in the mystical sands, the healing offered in that holy water. I have written verse on the touching of stones and the praying the prayers of the ancients as I have sojourned the storied land. Israel is for me a place of history, a place of sacrament, a piece to a sacred puzzle I have been assembling for more than forty long years. It is testimony and Ebeneezer and I return time and again to find center and a sense of home.
 
So I set my sights and make my plans for pilgrimage once more but this time I return to follow the footsteps of Jesus and the women central to his ministry. Imagine with me for a moment an experience where you could set your course to grow closer to Jesus by walking in the places he walked and by learning the stories of the women with whom he traveled and served.
 
Imagine the wonders of the newly excavated Migdol- ancient fishing town in the Galilee and home of Mary of Migdol or Magdalene. Worship at the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth where we visit the home of Mary and see her there reversing the curse of Eve and redeeming womankind.
 
Set your eyes towards Jerusalem to walk the Via Dolorosa and visit Calvary’s mount to the tomb where they laid him and the stone where his body was prepared lovingly by the women who had remained with him until the end.
 
Lose yourself in the warmth and hospitality in the old city in the Dormition Abbey consecrated as the place where our Lady died and travel deep into the desert to learn the mysteries of Masada– the Winter Palace of Herod and the last stand of the Jewish Rebellion. Hear the stories of the women who escaped the doom to be carried off to Rome. Sound intriguing?
 
Then come along with me and some of my friends on pilgrimage to Israel. We will worship and study, and feast this December 27, 2016-January 5, 2017!

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