We ended our stay in Jerusalem today with a Mass on the Mount of Olives at the place where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, knowing that it would soon be destroyed. The church there is thus known as Dominus Flevit, “The Lord Wept.” To reach the church, we walked down the very route Jesus would have taken on Palm Sunday to enter Jerusalem. Some of the original steps are still there.
One thing that makes the church of Dominus Flevit a popular spot is that it offers what many consider the best view in all Jerusalem. As we celebrated Mass in the church, you can look at the window and see the entire Old City spread out before you. I was blessed to be the main celebrant at Mass here. My homily contains reflections on the role of the earthly structures of the church and also on my great friend, St. Mary Magdalene.
Leaving Jerusalem, we took the road that leads down to Jericho, just as Jesus described in the parable of the Good Samaritan. After lunch, we arrived at the Jordan River at the spot where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. This was a real highlight for me. The weather was so peaceful and beautiful. The water level was high and running swiftly unlike the last time I was there. I again invoked the intercession of my great patron, St. John the Baptist. May I continue to find Jesus and point him out to others.
Having renewed our baptismal promises and bathed in the waters of the Jordan, we headed north to the Galilee. We arrived at our beautiful new hotel right on the sea. It’s so peaceful and clam here compared to the noise and busy feeling of Jerusalem. I’m really looking forward to some good prayer here over the next couple days.