Ad Lucem: February 2011

I have observed that when in crazy holy places, I forget there are such things as cameras. Hence, the Holy Land sharing will be spotty, I am sorry to admit. I will say, however, that any future travel plans should be wiped and replaced with tickets to Israel. Very much changed my life. It's all so real.

GALILEE

*so with the videos, it's going to have to be participatory editing during these travels. for example, with this video, rather than me removing the sound, you get to mute your computer. fun, right? cooperation art.

peacocks were everywhere

Bethlehem grafiti

Jerusalem

2,000 + old olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane. Yes. They knew Jesus.

Pater Noster- where Jesus taught his disciples to pray the Our Father. The place is covered in the prayer in different languages. Breathtaking.

( Amen. )

( in a language I had never heard of )

I GOT TO RIDE A CAMEL

I decided that afternoon that if elephants were not so awesome, camels would be my favorite animals.

look at his knees!

look at his belly!

look at his hoofpawfeet!

what?

and to complete the camel geek-out:

The Church of the Visitation was one of my favorite spots. It's where Mary visited Elizabeth, both with holy bellies, and they said beautiful things. Like Pater Noster, tiles with Mary's Magnificat written in colorful languages adorned the courtyard.

aramaic

georgian

a language

sinhala (sri lanka)

Mary Visits Elizabeth
³⁹ At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, ⁴⁰ where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³ But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Mary’s Song

⁴⁶ And Mary said:    “My soul glorifies the Lord
⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has been mindful
   of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
   holy is his name.
⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him,
   from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
   he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones
   but has lifted up the humble.
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
   but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
   remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendants forever,
   just as he promised our ancestors.”

More Impressions of Israel:

hummus, hookah, holy,

clashy and curt

severe robes of severe rites/rights

bowing bowing kissing crying

love and rocks and hurts but it's good and was good and will be good

because it's a promise