March 20th is Palm Sunday, the beginning of the Holy Week in the Christian calendar. It awakens all senses, especially if you were fortunate to grow up in the Caribbean or Mediterranean. Palm processions and crowds singing like waves moving somewhere! That somewhere calls for an interior response. Today, we are in a different place and time, away from our own cultural and religious roots; but, the tides are still ever so powerful. A response is demanded of us!
A month ago, we were in the Holy Land experiencing all the places where Jesus walked, talked, laughed and died. Too overwhelming to relate in a few sentences but, a reminder of our Savior's love for his God and friends. Of all the experiences, we treasure most was our visit to the Mount of Olives, venerated by Jews as well. It is from Bethphage on top of the mount that Jesus began his triumphal entry into Jerusalem before the Passover where he foretold the destruction of the city he loved and wept; where he was betrayed in the garden of Gethsemane and arrested. Here are our photos of this garden as we listened to his tears in the winds centuries later.
We looked at the olive trees where he spent that night; where he pondered his life and mission. Jesus was not conquered in his agony. He transcended in ways we find difficult and taught us the ultimate lesson: love instead of hate.
Salam. Shalom. Peace.
{reflection #230}
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