Day Four of the Holy Land trip sort of feels like day fourteen, but in a good way, for me at least. Sometimes I want to pinch myself so that I pay attention and remember that I am not in a Disneyland presentation of the Holy Land! The truth is that it is more than I can take in. I experience moments of awe and want more time at certain sites, and then other times I am where miracles took place, and I am on overload and I can't process any more. That happened to me this afternoon when we went to the Church of the Wedding in Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle. It was amazing -- but I was tired and really did want that coffee break!
The picture below is from the Church of St Joseph in Nazareth. The church is fabulous, ornate, breathtaking. Here is a picture of the altar, which represents, in a way, my experience of awe and gratitude for the opportunity to be in the Holy Land.
The picture below is from the Church of St Joseph in Nazareth. The church is fabulous, ornate, breathtaking. Here is a picture of the altar, which represents, in a way, my experience of awe and gratitude for the opportunity to be in the Holy Land.
However, as our Holy Land sojourner group sat looking at the altar, and listening to Melissa read scripture, my attention was drawn to the woman mopping the floor by the altar. (Below, on the left side.)
This image captured the nature of my experience thus far: the profound and the practical, the sacred and the daily, all mixed in together. And when I am spiritually centered I see the sacredness of the ordinary, of the woman providing her service in love to maintain this holy site. And I know I will be processing this trip for a long time, mopping memories and squeezing out new truths and awarenesses.
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