Let the peace of Christ control your hearts;
let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Colossians 3:15
#dailyingodsword
On this national holiday, between the barbecues and fireworks, let's take some time to recall Emma Lazarus' poem inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty, offering a haven, a refuge, for the burdened and battered.
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.
Do these words remind you of a more ancient text?
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
❤️🙏🇺🇸
Beautiful shot of the fireworks over the Del. Happy Fourth of July weekend!
📸"Coronado Summer Nights" - Coronado Landscape Photography
Masada
The ancient hilltop fortress of Masada, located alongside the Dead Sea, is home to a lot of history and religious significance.
Masada itself is a striking fortress on a large mesa whose terrible beauty has become one of the Jewish people's greatest symbols as the place where the last Jewish stronghold against Roman invasion stood. It was originally built as King Herod’s Palace, and as such includes a bathhouse, pigeon coops, an elaborate aqueduct system, cisterns, and storehouses as well as elaborate residential provisions.
At the beginning of the Revolt of the Jews against the Romans, a group of Jewish rebels overcame the Roman garrison of Masada. After the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple (70 CE) they were joined by zealots and their families who had fled from Jerusalem.
While under siege by Romans, who built a huge ramp and battering rams still visible today, this last stronghold of Jews refused to defend themselves only to kill their fellow men who were forced into slavery and required to fight against their own under Roman rule. Their story was told by two surviving women. The defenders – almost one thousand men, women and children – chose instead to burn down the fortress and take their own lives rather than being taken into slavery. Today it is a kind of pilgrim memorial for the Jewish people.
Morning mass in Bethany at the Church of St. Lazarus. The church is built on the site of the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary. A great place to reflect on our friendship with Jesus; the small church is off a busy street yet quiet and lovely, surrounded by a garden. #parishpilgrimage2022
The french sisters at the Church of the Ark of the New Covenant in Abu Ghosh have a message for you. ❤️🪴🙏
“Do all the good you can”
“Faites tout le bien que vous pourrez”
On the road to Emmaus we visited a 12th century Crusader Church, one of the best-preserved Crusader remains in the country. The structure and murals were astounding. A place that hushes you.
