Reflections on my Pilgrimage to Jerusalem

Do you sometimes need to see something to believe it?

I think for most of us this is true.

My pilgrimage to Jerusalem helped remind me that the Christian faith is based on history.

It is founded on someone not something. Two thousand years ago a man named Jesus Christ came into this world. This man is arguably the most famous human being that ever lived. What made him so outrageous is that he claimed to be God, yet he died willingly for us.

I had to ask that question the first time I went to Jerusalem. Who is Jesus? If he is real and he made all these claims how can I know it is true? I got to experience with my heart the radical love of God and I saw where this famous man walked, taught, and died.

Things have changed a lot since I came back to this place 11 years later. I am now a priest because of that first encounter with God 11 years ago. I go back as a person who has experienced Jesus’ love and who wants others to experience God’s love.

Each day I got to see tangible places where Jesus lived & where his followers lived. I use to think that one of Jesus’ followers named Peter was make believe, until I saw where he lived. Coming back to the place where Peter lived was powerful. It reminded me again that this man Peter was a real person and he followed Jesus who is also a real person.

I got to visit the Jordan river where Jesus was baptized and I got to renew the baptismal vows of my family and all those in the group. I was grateful and I was reminded of my own baptism into God’s family.

I got to visit Cana which is where Jesus performed his first famous miracle in a wedding celebration. Where he changed water into wine. I renewed the marriage vows of 13 couples including my parents and two brothers. I read about this miracle in the bible so many times, but to actually be at the place is profoundly special.

I went to Bethlehem and I visited the place where Jesus was born. I kept singing “O little town of Bethlehem” out loud. Christmas songs kept running in my head and I felt the joy of Christmas.

I visited the Sea of Galilee where Jesus walked on water. I got to touch this water and I imagined what it would be like to see Jesus walk on water.

I got to visit the tomb of Jesus and touch the spot where he was crucified. This visit was the most special place. I experienced the radical love of God and my soul was exuding with joy. I wish I could share it with all of you. God reminded me of his great love for each of us and what he is offering us in Heaven.

In the midst of our messy world Jesus came into it to save us in the mess.

This trip has left an impact because I was reminded again that my faith is tangible. It is all founded on a person named Jesus who came into this world two thousand years ago and his mission is to bring us all back to God.

I hope one day you can take a trip to Jerusalem. It is truly an amazing experience. I am sure I will go back again in the future. Maybe you can come with me?

Pray for me and I will pray for you.