On Sunday I depart for a two week pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Early in the fall an email came across my screen with an invitation to apply for this experience. “Might as well give it a try”, I told Jeff. Along with 19 other mid-career pastors, I will spend a week at the Sea of Galilee at the Scots Hotel and a week in Jerusalem where we will explore different sites each morning. Each afternoon will be free for reflection, journaling, prayer, and resting. We’ll meet with our small groups each day and with the group as a whole each evening for reflection. I’ve done my reading, made my packing list, prayed, pondered and now it is upon me. To be honest, I’m not sure what to expect. A friend of mine has asked me two questions: what am I most looking forward to and what am I most anxious about? There is so much to both responses that I’ve yet to narrow down an answer for her.
In the meantime, I keep thinking of this quote from Herman Hagedornn I have used when leading groups and pray that I might use it for myself during this pilgrimage:
Keep open, oh keep open, my eyes, my mind, my heart.
If you are interested, here is my itinerary:
Day 1 – February 17
Depart: Cleveland to Atlanta to Frankfurt to Israel. I’m tired already!
Day 2 – February 18
Arrive at Lod Airport and drive directly to the retreat location in Galilee, The Scots Hotel.. Theme: Thanksgiving and awareness through prayer, listening, seeing. Group worship. Introduction of the big question: “God, why am I here?”
Day 3 – February 19
Walk a trail to the top of the Cliff of Arbel for a panoramic view of the Sea of Galilee. Visible in the distance are the Plain of Gennesaret, Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes and Tabgha. Descend the trail and drive to Capernaum. Theme: “Walking” as a practice in prayer, meditation, and spiritual formation. Overview of Jesus’ Galilean ministry. Scripture: Mt. 4:18-22, Mt. 9:33-50.
Day 4 – February 20
Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha (traditional site of the loaves and fishes), and the Chapel of the Primacy of Peter (traditional site of Jesus’ appearance to the disciples while they were fishing, “Cast your nets on the other side.”) Theme: Jesus feeds us. Scripture: John 21:1-24, Mt. 14:13-21.
Day 5 – February 21
Journey to Kursi on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee (traditional site where Jesus healed the demoniac and cast the demons into swine) and return across the sea by boat. Theme: Stilling the storms of life. Scripture: Luke 8:22-25, John 6:16-21. (I am leading worship this day).
Day 6 – February 22
Drive through Galilee to Nazareth and, after exploring Nazareth, return by a different route that offers a better view of Mount Tabor (traditional Mount of Transfiguration). Theme: The Pilgrim from Nazareth. Scripture: Luke 2:39-40 and 51-52, Mt. 13:53-58.
Day 7 – February 23
Drive north to Banias (Caesarea Philippi) and the foothills of Mount Hermon. Along the way pass Tell el-Qedah, the site of ancient Hazor. Scripture: Mark 8:27-30, Mt. 16:13-20
Day 8 – February 24 Sunday morning worship. Spend the day in Galilee. Sabbath rest and evening communion.
Day 9 – February 25
Transfer from Galilee to Jerusalem. The drive is not so long, but there are three important places to visit along the way: Megiddo (Armageddon), Mount Carmel, and Caesarea. Theme: “This is the day the Lord has made.” Scripture: Psalms 120-134.
Day 10 – February 26
Morning walk into Jerusalem: from Mount of Olives via the Garden of Gethsemane and the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Theme: Praying in the Garden, touching the tomb. Scripture: Mark 13:32-52, Mark 15:1-39.
Day 11 – February 27
Jerusalem. Garden Tomb, the Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu on Mount Zion, and the Western (Wailing) Wall. Theme: City of David. Scripture: Mark 14:53-72
Day 12 – February 28
Morning excursion to Bethlehem. Theme: “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” Scripture: Luke 2:1-20.
Day 13 – February 29
Full day excursion to the Dead Sea (Masada, Qumran, Jericho.) Theme: The two seas of the Jordan. Scripture: Luke 10:25-37.
Day 14 – March 1
Free time. Closing service/session for the experience. Theme: The Journey of Faith. Why did God want you here? What is God calling you to do?
Day 15 – March 2 Arrival in Atlanta and then home to Cleveland. Yeah!
