Arrival in the Holy Land
18. Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
Iñigo eventually made it to the Holy Land, at that time under the Muslim Ottomans. The Franciscans were in charge of the Christian holy sites, as they are today. Iñigo was greatly moved going around the places associated with the life of Jesus. He tried to remember every little detail – such as which direction Jesus’ foot was pointing in at the mount of the Ascension. He asked to stay in the Holy Land, but the Franciscans sent him away. They didn’t want this unpredictable aristocratic beggar risking the delicate balance between Christians and Muslims in Palestine.
Lyrics
At last I kissed the Holy Ground;
I walked where he walked his winding way
At last the holy City shone,
In bright late sunshine, in evening’s calm.
Holy the land where he lived, where he trod;
Holy the ground he touched —
Lord, let me walk in your winding way;
Let me Lord Jesus walk your way.
Let me touch each tree and rock
Where Jesus walked once, where Jesus prayed.
Let me climb each mountainside
Where Jesus spoke once, where Jesus trod.
Holy the land where he died where he rose;
Holy the tree he touched
Lord, let me linger, Lord, let me stay;
Let me Lord Jesus live your way.
True pilgrims’ aims spread wider yet;
Grow still to wonder, reach depths to move on.
True pilgrims wander many ways,
Recover old roads to seek out new;
Holy the land where he leads, where he’ll go;
Holy the lands he’ll touch
Lord, lead me further beyond this land;
Lead me, Lord Jesus, further still
Lord, lead me further beyond this land;
Lead me, Lord Jesus, further still
A thought to ponder
One of the central concepts of the spirituality of St. Ignatius is of “Finding God in all things”.
In other words, there is nothing that has been created that doesn’t have a purpose and a right to exist. We often judge things by their usefulness to us; but consider for a moment that everything created by God has a good purpose. Consider too those elements of creation that you find difficult to find good in; what positive purpose could they have?
Scripture for the Day
1 Timothy 4:1-6 NRSVACE
As a way of praying today’s Scripture we suggest, Lectio Divina
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer.
If you put these instructions before the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching that you have followed.
Music for Today
Look at the World by John Rutter
Purchase more of the music of John Rutter
Jerusalem
The holy city of Jerusalem, dominated by the Dome of the Rock, which had been built hundreds of years before the time of Ignatius