DKS's picture

DKS

image

Easter Transformation

More than a decade and a half ago I had the privilege of taking a ten day tour to the Holy Land. It included Galilee, Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, as well as several days in Jordan. It was an incredible life changing experience that has affected both my ministry and my preaching. I am glad I was able to go.

One of the most significant and moving moments was the time we spent in Jerusalem.

Three specific sites stand out for me and I was grateful that I was able to enter holy space, even for a short time.

These experiences always have special significance for me at this time of year, the most holy week for Christians as we walk from the parade of Palm Sunday through the darkness of Good Friday to the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection at Easter.

The first site was the house of the high priest. It has been excavated by archeologists. A Lutheran church, St. Peter in Galicantu, has been built on the site, although there have been churches on the site over the millennia. Incorporated in the excavated basement were jail cells which were dated from the time of Jesus. Holes in the rock beams show where prisoners were shackled. You can’t walk through without wondering if Jesus had been taken here in his way to his death.

The second important site in Jerusalem for me were the excavated steps to the site of the Temple. Located on the south-east side of the Temple Mount and below the Hulda Gate, they have been excavated only in the last forty years.

This was the site of Temple commerce. You can see the steps, worn by generations of pilgrims, leading upward. This was the place where Jesus was likely to have expressed his anger towards those who were transacting business, selling offerings, changing money and exchanging services. It was his anger expressed by overturning tables and trashing stalls that got him into trouble with Temple authorities and led to towards his crucifixion.

The most significant holy site I was able to visit was the Dome of the Rock. Considered to be a holy site by Islam as the place where Mohammed ascended to heaven, by Judaism and Christianity as the place where Abraham was to sacrifice his son Isaac. The dome, built in the latter part of the 7th century, is a marvel of artistic beauty and engineering magnificence. It is suggested that many domed churches in Europe draw their inspiration from this incredible place of worship.

The beauty of the dome is enhanced by a roof covered in pure gold leaf. It shimmers in the sun and is a signature in all photographs of Jerusalem.

We were almost alone when we entered the Dome. Our guide, as an Israeli, was not permitted onto the site. But we, as Canadians, were. Our guide told us that he would meet us on the other side of the site, at a far gate, and we have better move quickly as the shrine closed for prayers.

We were not disappointed. The absolute beauty of the site, a place of holiness and worship for thousands of years, for three great faiths, was breathtaking. Intricate tile work, vibrant colours, incredible quiet (this, in the middle of a very busy city) all made this a transforming holy moment for all of us.

Because of our relatively short and recent history, most North Americans have not experienced the deep connection with global religious and spiritual sites. But in holy seasons, no matter what the faith, these places take on new meaning. They deepened and widen our understanding of the holy. They make real events which we might only have read about.

As a Christian, I have been blessed to have this experience. I know that it transformed me. I share this in this Holy Week for Christians so that you might understand there is far more to any faith than dry, dull stories. There are places where these holy stories live. And I am thankful for that.

Acknowledgement: I want to acknowledge my family members and other people of faith who reminded me that the Jesuit order was founded by St. Ignatius Loyola and not St. Francis Xavier as I said in my last column. My apologies.

Rev. David Shearman is the minister of Central Westside United Church, Owen Sound and the host of Faithworks on Rogers TV - Grey County, Cable 53.

Share this
cafe