If you could pause real life and spend some time living with a family anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I would travel to the Holy Land to visit the places where my Lord was born, lived, died and resurrected for us and other biblical places. I could do it in a pilgrimage with foreigners, but it would be more interesting and intense living with a Christian family… let’s say in East Jerusalem. I could see the basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, pray at Way of the Cross with the Franciscans, visit the Upper Room where Christ founded the Eucharist. Then I would try to make trips from there to the holy sites of Bethlehem, Nazareth, Capernaum, the sea of Galilee, Jericho, Hebron, Tiberias, the Mount of Olives…
I realise it would be difficult. In part because some of this places, like Bethlehem, Jericho and Hebron are in the West Bank and you need permits to cross the Wall, check points, and all. In part because I don’t think ordinary life for Christians in the Holy Land is easy. They are the forgotten minority. Everybody talk about Jews and Muslims and their conflicts, and few talk about the Christians in Holy Land and their every day problems. I would like to know how it is being a Christian there. Pray with them, experience their pains and joys. Be one of them. And then come back home a write about them. Tell everybody about their lives and about what they need and how can we help them.
More on the road posts in the next page:
this is one land I wish to revisit before too long – I have family in Jerusalem – commited christians – but visiting some of the sites that are not under Israeli jurisdiction can be very dangerous for christians too – unless as an organised tour. Bethlehem, Nazareth to name but a few
Thank you for telling me, Laura. I would like to go at least once in my life. It must be quite an experience. Sadly because of my circumstances I can’t travel now.