Saturday, August 31, 2013
On a day Israelis are being issued with gas masks with Russia's threat to bomb Saudi Arabia if US bombs Syria, there was irony in my reading Matthew 5 on the peacemakers to my fellows in Bus 15.
A remarkable Day 6 of the TLIG pilgrimage with one or two of us sharing new openings in vocation. I felt used and blessed in priestly service before the Maronite Mass this evening with its jolly Arab chants.
That besides, a paddle in the Sea of Galilee and my appetite returning after the stomach bug were bonuses. Many of the 750 of us on the pilgrimage feel privileged among earth's 60 billion inhabitants to be able to pray near the hurt that is inflaming the world.
I just saw the lights of Syrian villages 30 miles north east of Nazareth as we left Church for the hotel. Kyrie eleison!