Conversions, Shepherds, Prophets and Kings


All Together in Tel Aviv 


"For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength." Isaiah 30:15

The pilgrim journey is often an awakening to ancient connections we didn't even realize we had. The microscopic thread to the past is magnified and the past feels immediate and present. Which story or place connects is different for each pilgrim.

St. Peter's Church - Jaffa
St. Peter's Church - Jaffa




The day began with a trip to Jaffa, the ancient port city, where Jonah tried to take an about-face when God called him to proclaim the grace of God to pagan Ninevah. It is also the city where Peter initially resisted God's call to associate with the unclean Gentiles.



 
The next stop reminded us of the power and ego of the Roman-installed leader, Herod the Great. His pride and excess were on full display at Caesarea Maritima. When his newly created port city proved too shabby, he stopped the building project mid-stream in its final stages to seek higher-quality marble and more inspiring architecture. Imagine a Greek Theater, a Hippodrome, Roman Spas, and even a freshwater swimming pool for his palace guest jutting out over the Mediterranean Sea filled daily with fresh water.

Good Shepherd
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Good Shepherd 






Perhaps the most surprising was the statue of the shepherd Iyad showed us. Could it be a depiction of Jesus as the good shepherd?








Moving up the Coast, we traveled to Mt. Carmel to see the traditional place where Elijah bested the priests of Baal and Asheroth. We enjoyed the magnificent views where we could see a large part of the central part the Galilee Region. Mohammad, our taxi driver, brought a forgotten item to the group and we enjoyed meeting his youngest son and his wife.

Church of Transfiguration

For many of us, Mt. Tabor proved to be a highlight. As we read the story of the transformation, we could hear singing coming from the Catholic Mass in the church. Many in our group have experienced the loss of people close to them. The dazzling Jesus reminded us of the hope of the resurrection.
Finally, we made our way to our home for the next few days, the Sea of Galilee.

Mt. Carmel - The group with Iyad, Mohammad, and his family

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