scruffy1
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Holy Year from Pamplona 2010, SJPP 2011, Lisbon 2012, Le Puy 2013, Vezelay (partial watch this space!) 2014; 2015 Toulouse-Puenta la Reina (Arles)
Greetings from Jerusalem and Shalom
Sunday is our Jewish holiday called Shavuot better known in this Christian majority as Pentecost. We celebrate the Event at Mount Sinai when God appeared before Moses and granted our Torah. Christian observance can often pass all but un-noticed however, there is a strong connection between St James and Pentecost, one which can be experienced at first hand right here in Israel. In the northern bit of this country, in the Lower Galilee, there is a geographical formation known both here and in the New Testament as Mount Tabor. At this place it is narrated: Jesus appeared before only three of his disciples and revealed himself as the Divine Christ. (Matthew 17:1–9, Mark 9:2–8, Luke 9:28–36). Which three? Peter, John and yes, our boy James. There is a beautiful modern church there on top of the mountain commemorating the event and the view is magnificent. Within is a modern fresco portraying the event, alas, no one remembers which disciple is which since the modern work has no keys no roosters, no eagles no books, no shells to help recognize one from the other. A mystery.
Ah, but no, I promised Mohamed as well. The narrow winding road leading up the mountain to the church is all private land owned by members of the Bedouin tribe living in the village at the foot of the mountain. They offer a taxi service for visitors leaving from the village olive press climbing until the churches gate – a grand source of income - since tour buses cannot navigate the road. They also man the gift shop in the parking lot and there, one of the village elders may be persuaded to approach the door of the church, never entering of course, but he will approach and point out, identifying with all certainty Johan, Beter (native speakers of Arabic possess no "P"), and James. A wonderful experience.
Enjoy the holiday and all the best
Scruffy
Sunday is our Jewish holiday called Shavuot better known in this Christian majority as Pentecost. We celebrate the Event at Mount Sinai when God appeared before Moses and granted our Torah. Christian observance can often pass all but un-noticed however, there is a strong connection between St James and Pentecost, one which can be experienced at first hand right here in Israel. In the northern bit of this country, in the Lower Galilee, there is a geographical formation known both here and in the New Testament as Mount Tabor. At this place it is narrated: Jesus appeared before only three of his disciples and revealed himself as the Divine Christ. (Matthew 17:1–9, Mark 9:2–8, Luke 9:28–36). Which three? Peter, John and yes, our boy James. There is a beautiful modern church there on top of the mountain commemorating the event and the view is magnificent. Within is a modern fresco portraying the event, alas, no one remembers which disciple is which since the modern work has no keys no roosters, no eagles no books, no shells to help recognize one from the other. A mystery.
Ah, but no, I promised Mohamed as well. The narrow winding road leading up the mountain to the church is all private land owned by members of the Bedouin tribe living in the village at the foot of the mountain. They offer a taxi service for visitors leaving from the village olive press climbing until the churches gate – a grand source of income - since tour buses cannot navigate the road. They also man the gift shop in the parking lot and there, one of the village elders may be persuaded to approach the door of the church, never entering of course, but he will approach and point out, identifying with all certainty Johan, Beter (native speakers of Arabic possess no "P"), and James. A wonderful experience.
Enjoy the holiday and all the best
Scruffy
