spiritual matters and/or actually getting together to plan the trip. This is a period of study and reflection, discussion and prayer, but practical issues also need to be addressed. As in the case of all travel to foreign lands, becoming somewhat familiar with the country, its common features, even its monetary system and similar matters, is recommended. Many group leaders use multimedia materials to prepare their followers. Slides and illustrations bring the places to life, and many people feel more confident seeing pictures of the sites they are going to visit. Materials are available from the Israel Ministry of Tourism and the branches of the Israel Government Tourist Office in a number of major cities around the world, and the Ministry’s website (new.goisrael.com), available in a large and growing number of languages, is also an excellent resource. Being Present A pilgrimage can change one’s life forever. For many, it is the fulfillment of a once-in-a-lifetime dream. But even for those fortunate enough to return, maybe several times, every visit rekindles the miracle of the place. Man does not live by bread alone. The food of the soul and the spirit awaits replenishment, and it is here, in the holy places of Israel, that body and soul come together to be whole, a glorious oneness with God. Who can fully understand the power of the parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13; 31), until they have seen a field of mustard in full bloom by the Galilee roadside? How can you explain the beauty of the parable of the sower if you have never seen the earth of the Galilee with its beautiful, deep reddish brown hues and the multitude of rocks interspersed in it? Can you understand the irony and message of the story of the pigs of Gadara if you have never stood on the shores of the Sea of Galilee? What can be more dramatic than reciting the passage from Matthew (8, 23-27) as a Sea of Galilee storm rocks a small boat designed after those that plied the very same waters in Jesus’ time, or standing on the site of Jesus’ synagogue at Capernaum and reading His teachings aloud from Luke (4, 31-49)? Imagine too, standing at Megiddo, site of Armageddon, and reciting the relevant passage from the Book of Revelations (16, 12-16), or at Jerusalem’s Church of Gallicantu - built over the site identified by tradition as the house of Caiaphas, the high priest of that time - and hearing the passage from Mark (14, 66-72) read aloud, describing Peter’s denial of Jesus? Spiritual songs can be part of a pilgrimage too. “Down by the Riverside” after a baptism in the River Jordan, or a hymn at St. Anne Church. St. Anne’s, the best-preserved Crusader-era church in Jerusalem, is located at the start of the Via Dolorosa, in the Old City, to mark the traditional site of the home of Jesus’ maternal grandparents, Anne and Joachim, and the birthplace of Mary and features an echo that just doesn’t stop.
experience, it is no wonder that such a spiritual journey can change lives forever. The Best Time to Come It goes without saying that pilgrimage planners should take heed of Covid-19 restrictions, many of which can change at a moment’s notice. Be sure to check in advance as well as right before departure. The climate in Israel is comfortable throughout the year. Autumn and spring are transient and often not even felt, leaving the country with a long hot summer and a short winter when rain can be plentiful, but usually is intermittent. Between April to September, when rain hardly ever falls, Israel boasts temperatures that range from pleasantly cool in the hilly regions in the evenings to hot and sunny during the day. In low-lying regions like the Dead Sea or Tiberias, they can reach 35-40°C (about 95°F) at midday. The season running from October to March is more varied. Depending on the region, winter can mean a temperate sun with some rain, or biting winds and even occasional snow showers in the higher elevations. On the other hand, it is usually possible to swim in the Dead Sea even in the heart of winter, and sometimes in the Mediterranean too. When it comes to climate, any time is a good time to visit Israel. Other factors too may affect the timing of a pilgrimage. Budget-conscious groups are far more likely to travel during the traditional low-season, from November to
With the incredible energies unleashed by the pilgrimage
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