Skip to main content
A friend of mine recently took a trip to Israel. He mentioned that one of the most toughing moments of his trip was his visit to the Western Wall. I should mention that he is Jewish and so this visit had added significance. One of the more interesting comments he made was the diversity of people he saw at the Wailing Wall, as many people have labeled it. It is a very important Jewish religious site located in the Old City of Jerusalem. A lot of the wall was constructed in 19BC with the remaining parts being added in the 7th century and is said to be what was left of Solomon's original Temple after its destruction. It gained the additional title of wailing because Jews would frequently come to the wall and lament the destruction of the Temple. The reason people pray at the wall is because it is believed to be the closest point to the Holy of Holies, the holiest room of the old Temple. My friend's comments left me with thoughts about the significance of this type of gathering space in the U.S. Having sacred places that draw people of different faiths would seem to be a beneficial thing in this country. It really emphasizes the things we agree about rather than highlighting our differences. It is the ultimate ecumenical instrument. I then wondered how one would go about proposing this type of gathering spot and was soon overwhelmed with all of the legal implications it would create. And that is just sad. I told my fiend that if he planned to return to Israel, I wanted him to carry a prayer for me and insert it into the Wall's crevices. My prayer is that there be more places like the Wall that will bring people together for the purpose of worshipping God.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Gentle Art of Holy Surrender

In the quiet, dusty corners of our hearts, we often harbor blueprint drafts of how we think our lives should unfold. We carefully map out our timelines, hoping for a smooth path, and it is only natural to feel a bit lost or weary when a sudden storm alters our course or a door we prayed would open remains closed. Yet, our Lord does not stand at a distance during these moments of uncertainty; He is a tender Shepherd who walks beside us, gently whispering, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" ( Jeremiah 29:11). When our own plans crumble, it is not a sign that He has abandoned us, but rather an invitation to fold our hands, release our grip on the pen, and offer our own quiet fiat—letting Him guide us into green pastures we could never have found on our own. Placing our trust in His loving providence allows us to breathe deeply and find rest, even when the road ahead is shrouded in mist. E...
Post a Comment
Read more

Woman, Behold Your Son

The spiritual climax of the Gospel of John, as Father John Waiss points out, occurs at the foot of the Cross, where Jesus utters his parting words: “Woman, behold, your son!” and “Behold your mother!” (John 19:26-27). While these words were addressed to the Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, the Church has long understood this moment as a universal adoption. To truly image Christ, we must share in His parentage; if we embrace God as our spiritual Father but reject Mary as our mother, we treat Christ as a half-brother rather than our "firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. 8:29). As Origen noted as early as the third century, the profound depths of the Gospel are only accessible to those who, like John, rest their heads on Jesus’ breast and receive Mary into their own homes. This maternal role is deeply rooted in biblical typology, positioning Mary as the fulfillment of the great mothers of the Old Covenant. She is the New Eve , the mother of all the living according ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Praying With The Five Wounds Of Jesus

I am just beginning to dive into the beautiful, ancient devotion to the Five Wounds of Jesus, and I wanted to share a bit of the journey with you. It can feel a little overwhelming at first to look at the Crucifix this closely, but I’ve found such a gentle guide in St. Bernard of Clairvaux . In his Jubilee Rhythm on the Passion, Bernard doesn't treat the wounds of Jesus as distant historical facts or sights to be avoided. Instead, he approaches them with the tenderness of a friend, speaking directly to the feet, hands, side, and face of our Lord. For someone like me who is just starting out, his rhythm teaches that prayer isn't just about reciting words; it’s a holy hide-and-seek. Bernard invites us to literally hide ourselves within these wounds, seeing them as clefts in the rock where we can find shelter when our own lives feel turbulent or heavy. As I start this process, I’ve been practicing what I call gazing and greeting. Following Bernard’s lead, I look at the Crucifix an...
Post a Comment
Read more