This morning we were in the desert (Wadi Qelt) by 6 a.m. to pray and celebrate the Eucharist together. We began our time by praying Psalm 23 together, as we looked out over the desert which appeared to go on endlessly. The beauty was stunning, the view expansive, and the presence of God seemed tangible. We ended the Psalm with the words, “and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever”, and my heart and soul replied “AMEN”. It is true. I know that I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever, for that is the where my heart solidly resides. It was a clear and moving moment in my spiritual pilgrimage ~ I guess that surrender part of the return to the place of our pilgrimage continues to support my journey, ever deeper into the mystery of God.
One of the most profound parts of the Eucharist, celebrated, in the beauty and silence of the world around us, was the people who joined us, freely and without question. The Bedouin family who live in the caves nearby, came and joined us, not to receive Holy Eucharist for they are Muslim, but to be a part of our group. Yes, they came to lay out their wares to be sold, beautiful bracelets and scarfs, ready for us to buy, but it seemed also to be a part of who we were. The little children carried on, as any child in church, running to and fro, yet also knowing something special was happening among us. It was a gift to walk down the hill with the little girl, noticing that our clothing matched and to ask her help on which bracelet I should buy from her. It was a gift for our communion and community to be expanded by their presence.
I’ve been thinking a lot about community today, about how the people in this area seem to have a different sense of it than we do. I have never seen anyone who knows so many people as our guide. Of course, that’s his professional network, but it’s also his way of life. Everywhere we go, we connect with his “cousins”, people he knows and trust, people he can count on, people he can find similarity with. I have some more thinking to do on this, but it explains a lot about how Jesus was always running into the right people, or asking the right people to provide things for him (donkey to ride into Jerusalem), or feeling comfortable sending his disciples out carrying nothing, for he knew the people along the way who would take care of them. It makes me wonder about how this sense of community supports the idea and practice of the missional church, when the church and relationships extend beyond the parish, out into the community. More to ponder here.
My other real learning today is that I will NEVER EVER AGAIN call the Israelites, who grumbled in the desert, “stiff-necked people”. Oh my goodness, to imagine they walked this desert, from Egypt to the Promised Land — it’s remarkable! I think I would have been cranky within 10 minutes of leaving the Red Sea! This land is hard and inhospitable. The distances are long. The trek difficult. They would have been unprepared for the journey, since they were not bedouins. The left hastily with unleavened bread, but also wouldn’t have had tents, animals, and a familiarity with the landscape. I really understand their discomfort and wondering what in the world Moses was doing leading them into this fragile existence. We did get to be at Mt. Nebo today, where Moses saw the Promised Land and it was stunning and beautiful. As Betsy and I noticed, we took a lot of pictures of dirt today, but the view was so amazing, we kept wanting to capture something within it that was calling us.
Tomorrow, we head to Petra to the “lost city”, and I can’t wait!
Many blessings of peace to you, Barbara+