In the vesper light, in the presence of the Spirit, in the calling of our hearts through music deeper into the holy, we gathered together to experience God in the simplicity of prayer, chant, silence, and communion. It was a time of a gathering of hearts turned toward God and it was beautiful.
We then gathered for an amazing dinner, so we could carry the sense of communion into our community. Our hosts for the evening meal, Susan and Keith, brought their warmth and deep generosity into their offering and the feeling of hospitality spread among us. Thank you to everyone who made this such a meaningful event and one where God was praised through our opened hearts.
Please see our photo gallery on this worship service and reception on this website to get the spirit of the event. We all loved this so much we’ll do it again, probably often, so if you have an interest in this simple, quiet type of service, plan to come to the next one, please. You are always welcome!
We were on the move with Jesus these past few days!
The evening before, when we saw the 1st century grotto where Jesus must have spent time, either because it was his family’s home or his relatives, something shifted inside of me. I could see it. I could see the reality of what we spoke of in seminary as “the historical Jesus”. This was the real person who played and prayed, who visited relatives, met new people, created his own network of believers, I believe early on. I could so see, by watching our guide, who I believe must know everyone in Israel and the Palestinian Territory, how Jesus’ community formed him, in thought, and action, and love. I could imagine his mother, preparing him every step of the way to claim his particular and unique role in the human salvation story.
As a good Episcopalian (Anglican) I have found it a comfortable place to rest on the 3-legged stool (Scripture, Tradition, Reason), which freed me to uncover the truth within the scripture, without hanging my hat on the factual accuracy of each statement or story. It is true, as I have stated in my ordination vows, that I believe our scriptures contain all that is necessary for our salvation. And because I didn’t need to believe every story to be factual to contain truth, I think the reality of Jesus hadn’t been fully opened up for me, until seeing the 1st century grotto by Mary’s home. This is why I can’t wait to come home and share with you my photos and stories. I want you to capture this same glimpse of the real person of Jesus as I have! We need both, our understanding of the transcendent Christ (our risen Savior) and the earthly fully human Jesus who walked this earth, laid hands on the sick, ate meals with his cousins, aunts, and uncles, went fishing with his friends, comforted them in their sorrows, challenged their beliefs, needed times of silence and solitude, and spoke from the grotto in the hills where he preached the challenging beatitudes to an enormous crowd. I met this Jesus over the past few days.
We gathered by the river. There were fishermen there already, which made it all exactly right. We sang, “Shall we gather by the River”, renewed our baptism vows, and offered the peace to each other. It was incredibly moving to be in this space, perhaps occupied by Jesus when the dove was sent by God and ascending upon Jesus, initiating his formal time of ministry. It wasn’t a commercial site. There were no postcard stands, nor crowds pushing upon us. It was peaceful and serene. A time of real communion. That revealed to me another part of my return to the place of my resurrection: a sense of peace and communion with others.
Mother Betsy gathering water from the River Jordan.
The calm and peaceful river.
We then went to Capernaum, where we saw Peter’s house (where Jesus healed the paralytic) and the Jewish Synagogue (where Jesus prayed and taught). It was remarkable to see the these places so integral to the ministry of Jesus.
Ruins of Peter’s home.
We walked down to the Mount of the Beatitudes (really a hill, not a mountain) and celebrated the Eucharist.
Beautiful sight with Sea of Galilee in the background.
Once again, surprising grace showed up! We were praying the Eucharistic prayer when another tour group arrived at the space. They were laughing, taking photos, moving around, apparently oblivious to the sacredness of the moment those of us gathered were trying to enter into. Then of course, I got it! They were also a part of our communion. No longer a distraction, but a reminder that church is not always to be tidy and orderly and set apart from the real people of God. Both times we celebrated the Eucharist outside, others have joined our group. Particularly on this day, it made me think of that special time, when Jesus was preaching on the mount, it must have been chaotic, there must have been other conversations going on, there must have been children playing. God sets holiness right in the midst of our everyday life, which makes our ordinary lives extraordinary. Good lesson to remember.
“Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.”18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
