Submitted by Don Simmons
My wife Linda and I recently traveled to Israel and Jordan for a13-day tour of places where three of the world’s great religions; Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, had their sacred beginnings. Although world media isn’t too kind to this part of the world, we never felt threatened or in danger even while we visited a crowded public market in Tel Aviv or during our late night walk through the old city of Jerusalem.
The first few days of our trip included visits to the ancient port city of Jaffa, Caesarea, Haifa and the very beautiful Baha’i Shrine and Gardens on Mt. Carmel. We also went to the excavation site of Tel Megiddo (Valley of Armageddon) where archeologists believe 25 different civilizations are thought to have inhabited that area.
We visited a peaceful church at the Mount of Beatitudes, toured Capernaum, and had lunch at a Kibbutz on the Golan Heights.
The Church of the Announciation in Nazareth is beautiful, with mosaic artwork donated from many countries of the world. This was also the only place it rained during our trip. Later we crossed into Jordan and the city of Jerash, sometime called the “Pompeii of the East.” After walking among the ruins of paved and columned streets, hilltop temples and public squares and plazas we continued to Amman, Madaba, Petra and Mt. Nebo, where Moses saw the Promised Land. .
Our last stop in Jordan was the desert of Wadi Rum, where much of the film “Lawrence of Arabia” was filmed. After traveling by four-wheel vehicle and a 30-minute ride on a camel, we enjoyed dinner at a traditional Bedouin camp.
We returned to Israel and visited Jericho, which is considered to be the oldest (longest continually inhabited) city on earth. Approximately 10,000 years old. We stayed overnight on the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest body of water on earth. We did “float” in the Dead Sea waters. We took an aerial tram to the top of Masada and visited Herod’s Palaces, the Roman Camp and the Synagogue. Also, we visited Qumrumn, the area where the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. A highlight was seeing some of the actual scrolls at a museum called Shrine of the Book.
Our four days in Jerusalem were filled with visits to many more holy sites. While walking through the walled Old City, we visited the Western (Wailing) Wall, the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock. Lots of security here and unfortunately, much discrimination of the Palestinians as they go about their days as merchants, visitors, and citizens of Israel. We walked the path of the Stations of the Cross in the Via Dolorosa, beginning at Pilate’s Judgment Hall and ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In Bethlehem, we visited Church of the Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus and the first church ever built.
Other highlights included the Mount of Olives, the Chapel of Ascension, the Garden of Gethsemane, and Mt. Zion to see the room of The Last Supper (perhaps) and the Tomb of King David.
At every church we visited, we said prayers for all our special intentions, including all our family and friends at home. We thought about Father Tom while we toured areas where he recently spent a decade of his life.
Reflecting on our trip, the readings in the gospel will never be the same. When we hear references to these places in the scripture and homilies we can visualize the geography and the modern-day appearance of these sites where Jesus spent much of his life. We feel fortunate to have had this opportunity. Although it was just a snapshot of the area, for us it was the trip of a lifetime.
Don & Linda Simmons
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