Good Friday in Jerusalem 2009
Don Hamer is on professional development leave until May 15. He is writing occasional posts to this blog to share some of his experiences. From April 4 to April 20, he is writing daily updates while he and his wife Debbie make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
From Jerusalem, Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Having closed last evening in the Garden of Gethsemane, this morning we arose at 5:30 a.m. to join the Cathedral clergy, parishioners and fellow pilgrims from around the world in walking the Stations of the Cross in the Old City. It was very chilly here in Jerusalem this morning -- not much warmer than in Hartford. We joined representatives from the Lutheran, Scottish and Reformed churches in a procession that weaved in and out of narrow alleys, stopping at stations that are permanently marked on walls, in small chapels and shrines, and at the entrances to churches. As we processed, clergy from all faiths led the traditional introduction to each station: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, with the congregational response, Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. We then heard salient passages from scripture, followed by intercessory prayers that evoked the spirit of what we were commemorating at the station. It was very moving and meaningful, to be sharing these moments with other members of the Body of Christ from around the world and from different faith traditions. This sense was even heightened by the ever-increasing presence of other groups making their own pilgrimages to these same stations either before or after our group.
We returned back to the Guesthouse for breakfast with a couple of friends we have met here at the guesthouse, and then a brief rest to catch up on some sleep before the Good Friday liturgy in the cathedral at noon. The service was very much like the Episcopal Rite II Goof Friday liturgy, except in Arabic and English. Following the liturgy, we were all invited to the Guesthouse for a Good Friday luncheon, before which the Dean invited me to offer the blessing. It was a wonderful privilege to offer thanks and bid God's blessing on the remarkable fellowship we shared around the Good Friday table.
I write this as our congregation of Trinity joins our sister parishes of Asylum Hill in the annual ecumenical Good Friday services. I wish all of those participating, and those who are unable to, every blessing on this Good Friday. May your journey be a witness to the power of the Gospel to heal, and not to separate. Faithfully, your brother in Christ, Don+
From Jerusalem, Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Having closed last evening in the Garden of Gethsemane, this morning we arose at 5:30 a.m. to join the Cathedral clergy, parishioners and fellow pilgrims from around the world in walking the Stations of the Cross in the Old City. It was very chilly here in Jerusalem this morning -- not much warmer than in Hartford. We joined representatives from the Lutheran, Scottish and Reformed churches in a procession that weaved in and out of narrow alleys, stopping at stations that are permanently marked on walls, in small chapels and shrines, and at the entrances to churches. As we processed, clergy from all faiths led the traditional introduction to each station: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, with the congregational response, Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. We then heard salient passages from scripture, followed by intercessory prayers that evoked the spirit of what we were commemorating at the station. It was very moving and meaningful, to be sharing these moments with other members of the Body of Christ from around the world and from different faith traditions. This sense was even heightened by the ever-increasing presence of other groups making their own pilgrimages to these same stations either before or after our group.
We returned back to the Guesthouse for breakfast with a couple of friends we have met here at the guesthouse, and then a brief rest to catch up on some sleep before the Good Friday liturgy in the cathedral at noon. The service was very much like the Episcopal Rite II Goof Friday liturgy, except in Arabic and English. Following the liturgy, we were all invited to the Guesthouse for a Good Friday luncheon, before which the Dean invited me to offer the blessing. It was a wonderful privilege to offer thanks and bid God's blessing on the remarkable fellowship we shared around the Good Friday table.
I write this as our congregation of Trinity joins our sister parishes of Asylum Hill in the annual ecumenical Good Friday services. I wish all of those participating, and those who are unable to, every blessing on this Good Friday. May your journey be a witness to the power of the Gospel to heal, and not to separate. Faithfully, your brother in Christ, Don+
posted by Don+ @ 11:40 AM
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