Shalom, Yerushala'im

This post will constitute my final dispatch from the Holy Land.  I am anxious to start my life in NYC and am grateful for the time here -- even for the very difficult parts of it.  But of course at present I am most anxious to leave because of the war.

Yes, they are referring to the Israeli operation in Gaza and Hamas' rockets lighting up Israel as a "war" now.  I am glad to shake the dust of this troubled place from my sandals... and yet broken hearted for friends who remain here -- whose daily routine is overshadowed by an international struggle of morals and weapons.  Yet I tried to absorb their wisdom and collect reflections from their experiences, to better comprehend the nuances of this situation and the inexplicably dense sea of troubles covering this particular corner of the earth.

My prayer is to impart, in however minor or seemingly trivial a fashion, the things I've learned and seen here to those I interact with, be it students and colleagues or family and friends.  I am convinced current political leaders will not resolve the reasons underlying the present conflict; I have little hope even for my own generation.  But maybe... maybe my future students will be among that generation which successfully affects change in a sore and weary land.

So I say Shalom to you, Yerushala'im. May God's peace rest on all peoples who call you home, and God's mercy be upon those in great peril just beyond your ancient gates.

Two Priests and a Prof

I'm running out of time to post about the last few weeks of travel and adventure here in Israel and abroad -- the taxi is coming to take me away to the airport in just 45 minutes.  Which should be just enough time to post some pictures of when Brett and his friend (another Anglican priest) came to stay with me here for a while.  Lots of adventures -- better told in person!  For now the pictures will have to do to tell the story I like to call

Two Priests and a Prof in Jesus-Land
or
Do Not Go Gentile to That Holy Site

Historical place of the Nativity

By the cradle

Bethlehem

One of the coolest reliefs I've ever seen: David's anointing and the line of Jesse, all the way to Christ

St Jerome's dwelling

Back in the Old City, Jerusalem

On Temple Mount.  Three days after our visit, Palestine and Israel went to war

Gethsemane, from above the Eastern/Beautiful Gate

We were not allowed inside

Outer courtyard of Temple Mount

Dome of the Chain

After hiking through Hezekiah's tunnels in the City of David

The Pool of Siloam

City of David

The Holy Sepulchre in early morning sun

Ethiopian church, Jerusalem

Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth

Mary's well -- Orthodox traditional location of the Annunciation

Iconography at Church of the Annunciation

Boating on the Sea of Galilee

Keith "falls in"

Brett prepares to join him

Sunset over Tiberius

Fauzi Azar Inn, Nazareth.  Very very cool hostel

Art from Catholic Church of the Annunciation

The U.S.'s contribution to the international Virgin & Child gallery at Catholic Church of the Annunciation

Gardens on the Mount of Transfiguration

The view from Mount of Transfiguration -- Galilean countryside

Ruins on Mount of Transfiguration

The Priests explore

Brett takes a good look

Nazareth from Mount of Transfiguration

Church of Beatitudes, on Mount of Beatitudes (traditional site of Sermon on the Mount)

Sea of Galilee in background

The boys find a locust.  Now I see how John the Baptist could have lived off of those puppies-- they're as big as a New York Strip Steak!

Don't do it, father Keith!

Brett on Mount of Beatitudes

Morning of the last day -- the traveling trio celebrate Eucharist in the Garden of Gethsemane