But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised…” (Mt 28.5-6a)
This morning the woman who came with me and I started walking into the Old City at 5:30 am to beat the crowds to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. (At left: Crosses carved centuries ago into the stone walls at Church of the Holy Sepulcher by pilgrims.)
This church is built over the sites of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. Many different Christian faiths have chapels in the church, but the main areas are Greek Orthodox. There were two services going on when we got there – Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic – but most of the church was empty. We didn’t have to wait at all to get to Calvary, which is in the upper level of the church. You can see the stone upon which Jesus was crucified and actually touch the spot. On the lower level of the church you can see how the stone is split in a vertical line downward from the spot where Jesus’ cross was.
We waited 1/2 hour for the tomb to be opened. A monstrous structure has been built over the tomb. You enter an outer room where a piece of the stone the angel moved is there. Then you enter the tomb. It is small-about 6×4 and only 2 or 3 people can be in there at once. I actually found the tomb more moving than the crucifixion site. (Above: Standing before the structure that houses the tomb of Christ.)
Are these the sites historical? They seem pretty sure they are, as Christians have been worshipping at these sites since the first century. So in my mind they probably are the true sites. At the very least they are holy sites due to the millions of Christians who have come here over the centuries to remember and to worship.
We also went to the Garden of Gethsemane. The church there was closed as they are preparing for the Pope, but we saw the garden. The olive trees there are said to date to the time of Christ! Imagine if he prayed among those very trees!
We made another trip tothe Western Wall. When I asked for guidance I heard the word “Rest.” And that is what I am doing this afternoon. I skipped our afternoon tour to rest and to stop.
I have many stones from various places for our labyrinth, including a number of shards of pottery that date to before the time of Christ.
Since it’s Friday and the Jewish Shabbat begins tonight, they are selling freshly baked challah bread in the bakeries. Our gelato place is closed today since it’s the Muslim sabbath. Muslim shops are closed on Friday; Jewish shops on Saturday and Christian on Sunday. It’s hard to keep straight! At least they take Sabbath!
The Pope arrives tomorrow and we are getting out of town – to the Galilee for three days.
Looking Out Seeing Within 