The Fifth Gospel

Last night I attended the Maundy Thursday Holy Communion Service & Hallel at Christ Church Jerusalem. 



Reading the Psalms that Jesus would have sung at his last Passover Seder, sharing the moments with my family here would have been enough, but then we left the church and walked down into the Kidron Valley, back up to the Garden of Gethsemane and on up to the Mount of Olives outside the Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene; the best archaeological guess as to the location of Jesus passionate prayer to the Father, ultimate betrayal and arrest.

We walked, as Jesus and his Disciples walked, only about 2.5 miles, all dramatically down then uphill, mostly lit by the full moon. 

I found myself wondering, as we walked silently knowing from this side of history what was coming. Knowing Jesus knew what was coming. Remembering the disciples were still not exactly on board with the events that their dear friend and teacher had been predicting. I wondered what the conversations on the walk might have been that night. 

Comments about the meal they had just had? Wondering what was up with Judas? Pondering the love of G-d and his miracles bringing the people out of Egypt? I’ll leave it to you, but I’m thinking after four glasses of wine and a good meal, at the very least they must have been in a fairly good mood, and I understand why they would find it hard to stay awake to “watch and pray” as the master had asked.

And so we walked last night. 

Considering the days ahead. Quietly making our way through this portion of the story. Deep in our own thoughts. Down into the valley then up into the garden, where we could look back over the valley to the Old City of Jerusalem, the beautiful city on a hill.  

After a message from the Gospel of Mark and a time of reflection, the return walk.  Not under arrest, not betrayed by a kiss, but this time through the Lions Gate and along the Via Dolorosa, the "path he will walk later today".

Some Christians refer to Israel as the Fifth Gospel.  I think of it now as the illustrated version. However you perceive it, being here does add another, deeper dimension.  Everywhere you go, scripture is illuminated. Even with the expansion of the Old City outside the city walls, there remains a shadow, a whisper, a memory of the past, all of the past.  History is the economy here, so you can’t avoid it, but for those who are looking, there are traces of the past that feed the soul and make the heart glad. 

I am glad for last night and for today, knowing what came next.  

It would be easy to be overwhelmed, it’s Friday, but I know, Sunday's coming!

To all of you, 

Chag sameach,

Pesach kasher vesameah, Happy and kosher Pesach!!

And a Happy and Blessed Easter! 

To read more about the Mount of Olives and the Via Delorosa, visit:

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-via-dolorosa

http://www.bibleplaces.com/mtolives.htm

For the Liturgy we used, visit:

http://www.cmj-israel.org/dnn/Portals/0/Images/CMJ/CMJMinistries/Christchurch/Congregation/Liturgies/Holy_thursday_flyer01.pdf

and if you’re wondering Hallel is Praise, a Jewish prayer, a verbatim recitation from Psalms 113-118, which is used for praise and thanksgiving that is recited by observant Jews on Jewish holidays and their Christian cousins.

for a video of the event visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XvLUROJjU8