Hope

I came here for my sabbatical. - A pilgrimage or journey to a sacred and holy place.

What I discovered is that while the shrines, sites, were not necessary “holy” due to the commercialism, gaudiness, and the pushy tourist groups that pilferaged the Holy Land – the land (the wilderness, the wadi, the fields of sunflowers) and the people who live on this land were indeed “holy!”

The most profound thing that I have gained on this trip is not religious or theological, but an eye-opening awareness of the conflict, tension, and ambiguity that has defined this area of the world for the last 4,000 years.

I have experienced some amazing moments that will last a lifetime – the Wadi hike, Hezekiah’s tunnel, the Upper Room on Pentecost – but one of my most memorable experiences took place on the roof-top of the House of Bread over Bethlehem. I remember thinking to myself as I looked out upon the city

Jesus was born here!

Jesus was born to make things right!

For the people in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago AND for the people in Bethlehem now.

AND for me.

I gained an extra grain of Hope this trip. The Hope that Jesus WILL make things right in this world. The Hope that Jesus WILL make things right between Palestinians and Israelis. The Hope that Jesus WILL make things right in my life. The Hope that can only be found in the Resurrection.

Hope.