Photo link- http://bit.ly/zhP9so
So today was an interesting day- cold and dreary, a bit of rain for good measure as well, but it didn't keep the pilgrims from their way. We started by visiting the historic site where the three men (angels?) visited Abraham (Gen. 18) at the Oaks of Mamre, the foggy photo is of this place. We then went to Hebron to visit the Tombs of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs (Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah- Rachel is buried closer to Bethlehem). This site was somewhat sorrowful, as the modern-day tensions were painfully obvious. For one, Hebron is in Palestine, so we had to go through a border check to get there. Then we passed a construction crew that was putting up a wall between Israel and Palestine. The contrast between sides of the wall is stark. In Israel, homes are nice and most had solar water heaters on the roof, while Palestinian homes were in shambles and had black water storage bins on the roofs, because they never know when/if Israel might cut off their water supply. We also saw a strong military presence in the area. Perhaps the saddest aspect was the Tombs. One side was for Muslims, the other Jews (Christians are allowed on both sides). The supposed tomb of Abraham is in a circular area enclosed by a fence. From the Muslim side, one can see the Jewish side, and vice versa. But there was a wall that divided the two sides. Even in the place where the father of the Jewish and Islamic faiths is buried, a great place of common ground, there was a dividing wall. It was a lesson in the tensions in this land.
We then were supposed to go to Ber-Sheeva, but as you might have seen in the news on Wednesday, rockets were launched from Gaza into Ber-Sheeva; St. George's places security above all things, so we did not go. Instead, we travelled to Bethany, the place where Lazarus died and Jesus brought him back to life, and the home of Mary and Martha. There was a beautiful church there, and they were finishing a Mass while we were there, which was nice to see. These are not just historic sites, they are still places of worship.
Tomorrow we head to Ein Kerem and Bethlehem and the the Dead Sea/Masada/Qumran on Saturday. I remember you all in my prayers, please continue to hold me in yours. Blessings.
