November 10, 2009

Bob’s Sabbatical

November 10, 2009 – Transfiguration

 

            On bus
to Mount Tabor, Andrew talks about the importance of mountains in scripture.  He notes that whenever Jesus is on a
mountain, there is a reference back to Sinai, and forward to Mt.
Zion.  There is always something to learn
about Jesus, and something to learn about us, the Church.

            We take
a back road, through the town of Iksal, then onto a dirt track before heading
up Mount Tabor.  The bus has to stop
about halfway up, and we wait in line for mini-vans to go the rest of the
way.  Jesus was looking for a quiet place
to pray, away from the crowds.  This climb
would have discouraged most people from following him!  This is an interesting juxtopositon,
Yesterday we were near the Jordan River, which is where Jesus’ ministry
began.  Today, Mt. Tabor, which marked
the end of his Galilean ministry, as he set his face toward Jerusalem.  Both times God’s voice was heard saying, “this
is my beloved.”

            Andrew
talked some more about the various Christian groups in the Holy Land.  The bottom line is that their numbers are
decreasing.  One reason is that many are
well educated, and young people leave Israel to pursue studies elsewhere, and
do not return, often because job opportunities are few and far between
here.  In 1922, Christians made up 50% of
the population of Jerusalem.  Today it is
only 1-2%.  In 1922 Christians made up
80% of the population of Bethlehem and today it is 20%.  In 1945, Christians made up 18% of the
population of the Holy Land and today it is 1-2%.

            We had
lunch in Jericho, one of the oldest cities in the world, but not much to see
there.  It has long been on a major trade
route between Europe, Asia and Africa. 
Jesus and other Jews would have come to Jerusalem from Galilee by
crossing the Jordan near the Sea of Galilee, travelling on the East side of the
river, in order to avoid Samaritan territory, then crossed the Jordan again
near Jericho before heading up (and it is really up!) to Jerusalem.  It was probably near this crossing that Jesus
was Baptized by John, NOT up near the Sea of Galilee.

            We
stopped in the desert between Jericho and Jerusalem for some quiet time and
reflection.  The desert here is really
stark.  It is where Jesus went for 40
days after his Baptism.  Now, it is as
desolate as it was then, with only a few Bedouins with their meager existence to
occasionally change the scenery.  As we
had our time for reflection, Israeli fighter-jets flew over, a reminder that we
still need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

            Peace.

              Bob