Festivity

Since it's the holiday season, I was reminded of our visit to Cana, where the very first miracle of Jesus was performed, to the prodding of her mother, Mary.

The pilgrim couples had the opportunity to renew their wedding vows at the church in Cana. I was even "Ninang" (sponsor) to a couple, assisting in the veil rites.

After the solemn renewal of vows (that proceeded like a mass wedding for there were about a dozen couples), we shared a taste of a grand wedding cake and some Cana wine. Cool!

I was imagining being one of the guests at the wedding in Cana, when the water was turned into wine.

I was also fortunate to have seen a huge stone jar where they used to keep stock of the water. Look!

Miracles, way back then were huge as well, blind that see, cripple that walk, lepers that were cleansed, the dead resurrected, walking on water, water to wine.

Nowadays, there are still huge miracles and healing, we just have to open our hearts to them. Let us keep on believing.

And if we are in dire need of one (miracle), we can ask the help of Mary, our mother, to ask Jesus to perform it for us just like what happened in Cana.

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Come

Merry Christmas!!!

Come Emmanuel.

Sweet Red Antioxidants

While walking around Jerusalem, before we proceeded to Mount Tabor, we passed by some fruit stands. My eyes feasted on colorful round fruits of yellow, green and red.

Before boarding our bus, I saw a cart where man was working his magic on a pressing machine, squeezing the juice out from a red fruit.

We were informed that the bright-colored fruits are pomegranates. Out of curiosity, since people walking by were buying a glass of the juice, we bought some and kinda shared one glass of the juice. Wow, it tasted great! Sweet, with no added sugar. Must be super, if really cool when drank.

Just a thought, if I were a fruit with hundreds of seeds and was squeezed by the Lord, will my juice be sufficient and would it be sweet?

Wait, I remember some good antioxidants for the soul: Acts of Mercy.

- o -

Pomegranates are drought-tolerant. They can be grown in dry areas with either a Mediterranean winter rainfall climate or in summer rainfall climates.

The edible fruit is a berry and is between a lemon and a grapefruit in size, 5–12 cm in diameter with a rounded hexagonal shape, and has thick reddish skin and around 600 seeds.

Each seed has a surrounding water-laden pulp — the aril — ranging in color from white to deep red or purple. This aril is the edible part of the fruit. The seeds are embedded in a white, spongy, bitter pulp.

The juice from a pomegranate offers some of the worlds most powerful antioxidants. In fact, studies show that pomegranate juice has more antioxidants than other known antioxidant drinks such as red wine, green tea, blueberry juice, cranberry juice and orange juice.

Source: Wikipedia

Yes Indeed, Blessed Are You

The Beatitudes found at Matthew 5: 3-12

Signage to the Mount of Beatitudes

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall possess the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Pilgrimage, Getting More than I Asked For

I went to a pilgrimage expecting to experience Jesus in some way. I was never thinking more than that. However, I got more. I was able to see beautiful places, learn so many things and meet great people.

Now, whenever I get re-connected with a co-pilgrim, I get to experience Jesus in a very special way.

Thanks be to God!

Fely, Pinpin, Carol, Tita Linda, Mama Nene, Liza

Let us continue to experience Jesus in others.

The Dead Sea Scrolls and Qumran

Where is this? It's in Qumran. Qumran? I don't remember ever reading about Qumran. It is south of Jericho, the oldest city in Israel.

At first, what got into my mind was, we were to embark on a long hot walk, for I see a vast desert in front of me, covered with what seem to me, lined-up ruins, piles of rubble and deep large holes. So what is this exactly?

But then I started to see it in totality, before me is an immense beauty . . . the mountains and the as they say "the deep blue sea" plus that aura of an ancient place, of great age relating both to history and wisdom. There were even date trees and the story of the "Bedouin" finding the scrolls of old.

The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collection of 972 documents, including texts from the Hebrew Bible, discovered between 1946 and 1956 in eleven caves in and around the ruins of the ancient settlement of Qumran on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea.

The texts are of great religious and historical significance, as they include the oldest known surviving copies of Biblical and extra-biblical documents and preserve evidence of great diversity in late Second Temple Judaism. They are written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, mostly on parchment, but with some written on papyrus.

These manuscripts generally date between 150 BCE and 70 CE. The scrolls are traditionally identified with the ancient Jewish sect called the Essenes, though some recent interpretations have challenged this association and argue that the scrolls were penned by priests in Jerusalem, Zadokites, or other unknown Jewish groups.

The Dead Sea Scrolls are traditionally divided into three groups: "Biblical" manuscripts (copies of texts from the Hebrew Bible), which comprise roughly 40% of the identified scrolls; "Apocryphal" or "Pseudepigraphical" manuscripts, which comprise roughly 30% of the identified scrolls; and "Sectarian" manuscripts like the Community Rule, War Scroll, Pesher on Habakkuk, and the Rule of the Blessing, which comprise roughly 30% of the identified scrolls.

In the winter of 1946–47, Muhammed edh-Dhib and Ahmed Mohammed (two Bedouin shepherds of the Ta'amireh tribe) discovered the caves, and soon afterwards the scrolls.

John C. Trever reconstructed the story of the scrolls from several interviews with the Bedouin.

Source: Wikipedia

Get the best from life by looking at everything at the best light.

Discoveries in Qumran

We were able to visit a museum in Qumran National Park where some items found in excavations were displayed.

We learned that the Essenes were a Jewish religious group that flourished from the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century CE. They had The Manual of Discipline that called for a full communal life: "they shall eat, bless and take counsel communally".

On the west side of the building (now in ruins) was a long room that used to be a dining room. It had a small adjacent room were a thousand of ceramic vessels were unearthed.

Flour mills, a stable, a laundry and various workshops were also uncovered. Near the settlement is a large cemetery (separated by a wall).

The Ritual Bath . . . the community strictly observed the laws of ritual purity.

Looking into the ritual bath hole . . .

The Cistern . . . a deep circular cistern was found at Qumran, and may be the site known as the Biblical City of Salt . . .

Constructed were a building, a library and two pottery kilns. Below is the remains of The Kiln . . .

In approximately 130 BCE, the occupants constructed two rectangular cisterns. A closer look inside the deep cistern . . .

Qumran National Park sign saying that "one has entered an archaeological site and not to damage or remove any of the antiquities (however, this lady does seem antique in a way, lol).

At the site of the Qumran ruins were remains of walls and pottery.

Qumran is an archaeological site in the West Bank. It is located on a dry plateau about a mile inland from the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea.

Two Bedouin shepherds accidentally came across a clay jar in a cave near Khirbet Qumran that contained seven parchment scrolls. The settlement of Qumran is one kilometer inland from the northwest shore of the Dead Sea. The scrolls were found in eleven caves nearby.

Source: Wikipedia

So many things are out there for you and I to discover.

Remembering Jerusalem

Jerusalem in the First Temple Period 1000- 588 B.C. - this is what the posted sign reads.

A portion of the wall of Jerusalem has been preserved. However, the lower part has been buried thus, this is what is left visible.

In any case, it's still awesome, standing there looking at this piece of ancient wall that has been a witness to some of the most important scenes in Jesus' life.

Below are photos (with emphasis on the walls) of a scale model of the city of Jerusalem:

Being the Greatest Survivor

Wanna take a peek inside the mind of my teenager? He's into Theology.

Here he "blah-blahs" about the TV series "Survivor", co-relating it to our world right now and ends with a note on the Kingdom of God.

Luv it!

Click and read:

A Survivor World

I assure you that John the Baptist is greater than any man who has ever lived. But he who is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than John.
Matthew 11:11

Miracles at Sea

At last the most awaited boat ride at the Sea of Galilee.

I had this load of excitement when I went up to the boat, but somehow that changed when I was "on" the boat.

Had a queer feeling in the middle of the sea, like really feeling that Jesus used to be here with his disciples, performing loads of miracles.



The Sea of Galilee, also Kinneret, Lake of Gennesaret, Lake Tiberias, is the largest freshwater lake in Israel, and it is approximately 53 km in circumference, about 21 km long, and 13 km wide.

The lake has a total area of 166 km², and a maximum depth of approximately 43 m. At 209 metres below sea level, it is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth and the second-lowest lake in the world (after the Dead Sea, a saltwater lake).

The lake is fed partly by underground springs although its main source is the Jordan River which flows through it from north to south.

Source: Wikipedia

Be fed by God, our main source, from whom flows true riches, graces and wisdom.

A Concert at the Sea of Galilee

This is where Jesus used to be with his disciples, where He recruited them, where they used to "not catch" and "catch a lot" of fishes and where he and St. Peter walked in water one stormy night of a test of faith.



Funny how we can just sing like this, like little kids, in the middle of this vast sea, leaving all our cares behind.

As the song goes . . ."with Christ in my vessel, I can smile at the storm . . ."



Bro. Bo added that "all storms will end . . . a believer, a person of faith, can sleep in a storm . . .

With or without a catch, with or without a storm, it is our faith that we can hold on to.

Songs of the Sea, Tel Aliv Style

On our second night at Tel Aviv, we were able to watch this "lighted-dancing-water" show.

God keeps on showing us how to be like little children, how it is to feel like a child again, enjoying life, worry-free, trusting in Him.



With the enthusiasm of a child, let us sing a new song unto the Lord.

Reunited and We Understood . . .

Twenty Four?

After just 24 days since we separated (buti kamo hindi naman 24 hours), the members of the St. John Holy land 2010 Pilgrims convened. Inunahan na ang Kerygma Conference this coming November 26, 27 and 28.

The reunion was a 24-karat moment. Great to see you guys, such lovely people with God-loving souls. Amen!

. . . and Happy Holidays!

Special thanks to our hosts "Tita Betty and Tito Basty", with the sisters "Aida and Tessie" and of course to our "Principal Amy with daughter Jaimie", plus "Father Titus and Brother Adrian", not to forget "Brother Bo and son Bene" with sister " Beckie".

Nurture relationships.

The Hajj

I kept on asking myself the question "Why did I go on a pilgrimage?" I have a separate post on this one.

Why do others go on a pilgrimage?

Saw the news and what got my attention? The Hajj this November 2010.

The Hajj is a pilgrimage that occurs during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah to the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and derives from an ancient Arab practice.

It is currently the largest annual pilgrimage in the world, and is a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so.

When the pilgrim is around 10 km (6.2 mi) from Mecca, he must dress in Ihram clothing, which consists of two white sheets.

Both men and women are required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca. After a Muslim makes the trip to Mecca, he/she is known as a hajji/hajja (one who made the pilgrimage to Mecca).

The main rituals of the Hajj include walking counter-clockwise seven times around the Kaaba ( the cube-shaped building which acts as the Muslim direction of ker), touching the Black Stone, traveling seven times (back and forth) between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah, drinking from the Zamzam Well, going to the plains of Mount Arafat to stand in vigil, and throwing stones in a ritual known as Stoning of the Devil in Mina.

A pilgrimage made at any time other than the Hajj season is called an Umrah.

The pilgrims then shave their heads, perform a ritual of animal sacrifice, and celebrate the three day global festival of Eid al-Adha.

According to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, the number of foreign pilgrims in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj was 1 M in 1996 and 4 M (Umrah only) in 2010.

Source: Wikipedia

For us Catholics, we have our own reasons as well.

I did for healing, physically and spiritually.

Christian Pilgrimage Sites

Top Philippine Pilgrimage Sites

My Marian Pilgrimage

I can learn from others. I have trained to open my heart that I may receive whatever God has to give, claiming all blessings through His Mighty Name.

Growing That Dream

As you focus and work on your dream, you grow as big as your dream. As you grow your dream, you also keep growing. As you expand your dream, you also keep expanding. - Bo Sanchez

Hi! Just want to drop a quick “Hello!” to you. I’m writing this in a beautiful hotel lobby, enjoying violin music in the background. I’m sipping my hot choco. And I’m breathing in the lovely ambience around me. Hmmmm…

I’m realizing that I’m late bloomer. I’m now 44. And it’s as though I’m still learning how to enjoy life! Honest!

Because once upon a time, I didn’t enjoy life. I thought I didn’t deserve it. That somehow, God will get angry if I enjoyed life too much. That I such a selfish person if I enjoyed too much. Oh, what a twisted mindset!

Now, I’m able to savor God’s goodness with an open heart. I smile more. I laugh more. I enjoy life more.

Hey, I hope you learn how to enjoy life more.

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez

Oh, another thing that makes me feel happy. The biggest, most inspiring, miracle-filled event of the year is almost here. (If you’re in Manila, fantastic. If not, fly here!) There’ll be 10,000+ people who’ll get their souls recalibrated, recharged, and restored at the Kerygma Conference 2010 at the PICC on November 26, 27, and 28. The best speakers. The best music. The best experience. For more details, call up (02) 7259999 or log on at www.kerygmaconference.com.

The time to grow with our dreams is now.

Got Struck by Amazing Grace

It's just that, there are these songs that just . . .



I was blind and now I see.

Doubly Amazing, Song and Child

"Morning Has Broken", this is my favorite morning prayer song when I joined a Marian pilgrimage, while I got hooked with "Amazing Grace" during my Holy Land visit.

I was looking for a good version of the song Amazing Grace, and I found a gem of a version. Enjoy!



Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

It is true. Grace taught my heart to fear and Grace my fears relieved.

A Social Being in the Land of the Living

Man is a social creation indeed.

Monette, Pinpin, Mae, Tita Cora and Tita Nene

This is why you can't help but have fun and get attached to the people you've been with for the duration of the pilgrimage, which, I would say is not that short. We had these long days when we wake up very early and start moving, and I should say, hiking or taking a desert march at times.

Of course, we won't be going home without one more class picture of the (St. John) Holy Land Pilgrims 2010. Our pilgrimage priest is the one in black (please note, the one in black T-shirt).

We all hope for a life pleasing to our Maker. Any positive addition, even if just as big as a mustard seed, is more than welcome. Amen.

Kung may Mega Mall tayo, may Mecca Mall sila.

Not mega-sized? As big as a mustard seed? It's okay, I'm keeping my faith alive.

Acts of Mercy

The Corporal Works of Mercy
(1) Feed the hungry
(2) Give drink to the thirsty
(3) Clothe the naked
(4) Shelter the homeless
(5) Comfort the imprisoned
(6) Visit the sick
(7) Bury the dead

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

1. Admonish sinners
2. Instruct the uninformed
3. Counsel the doubtful
4. Comfort the sorrowful
5. Be patient with those in error
6. Forgive offenses
7. Pray for the living and the dead

Hay Naku, Dreams Do Come True

"A dream is a wish your heart makes" . . . this is one of my favorite songs. Ito'y hango sa walang kamatayang pelikulang "Cinderella". (From the timeless movie, Cinderella).


A snapshot at Mount Tabor with Bro. Bo Sanchez, Brother Adrian Panganiban and Pin. What a "Taboric" experience.

Don't I feel like a Cinderella, a homemaker (pinaganda ko na, a simple housewife sabi nga nila) who sweats the small stuff (but big tasks really) like cooking, washing the dishes, laundry, cleaning the home, going to the grocery, paying bills at the Bayad Center, saying hi and hello to the neighbor's maids, etc.

Now comes the part where Ella becomes the Cinderella who goes to the ball, in my case, a "Trip to Jerusalem" (seems like this post begins with a fairy tale and ends with a children's party game, whew).

"I like".

Dream on and make sure to make big ones.

Salt for the Body, Rest for the Soul

Still a bit dark, we headed for the water to take photos and witness the "Sunrise at the Dead Sea". We (5 of us) were already imagining the end result, thus were so excited to go ahead even if it meant walking the long stretch of road with just some spark of light from the cellphone of Jason, a fellow pilgrim.

However, when we reached our destination, Pinpin preferred to pick-up whatever the sea can offer.

It felt good to be there at the serene water of the Dead Sea. Note that it doesn't have waves, it is calm, just as we were experiencing that daybreak. We were being ourselves and accepting each other as we are, trying to add to the moments of being together at a place of restful peace.

Our friend Benjie was able to gather some salt from the sea. It is said to be very good for the skin, but for Pinpin, it is better with boiled egg.

Hay Naku Pinpin! Iba talaga taste mo. (Oh my Pinpin, your taste differs).

Different strokes for different folks. To have fun, ask for grace to accept the differences.

Miracles in Our Sea of Life

I had a vague understanding of the museum because I was excited to go on with the boat ride at the Sea of Galilee. It is only while doing this post that I am a little enlightened about the whole thing, just a little. A boat was discovered in 1986 by fishermen in the Sea of Galilee. It was said to be very very old, dating back to the times of Jesus, based on radiocarbon dating. They called it the "Jesus Boat".

With this in mind, thoughts about His Miracles, in a similar boat at the same body of water, truly come to mind. May God continue to make miracles happen in our lives, yours and mine. Amen.

"May himala!" (Miracles!)

The Sea of Galilee Boat also known as the Jesus Boat was an ancient fishing boat from the 1st century CE (the time of Jesus Christ), discovered in 1986 on the north-west shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel. The remains of the boat, 27 feet long, 7.5 feet wide and with a maximum preserved height of 4.3 feet, first appeared during a drought, when the waters of the Sea (actually a great fresh-water lake) receded.

The boat has been dated to 40 BCE (plus or minus 80 years) based on radiocarbon dating, and 50 BCE to 50 CE based on pottery (including a cooking pot and lamp) and nails found in the boat, as well as hull construction techniques.The evidence of repeated repairs shows the boat was used for several decades, perhaps nearly a century. When its fishermen owners thought it was beyond repair, they removed all useful wooden parts and the hull eventually sank to the bottom of the lake. There it was covered with mud which prevented bacterial decomposition.

The remains of the boat were found by brothers Moshe and Yuval Lufan, fishermen from Kibbutz Ginnosar. Excavating the boat from the mud without damaging it, quickly enough to extract it before the water rose again, was a difficult process which lasted 12 days and nights. The boat was then submerged in a chemical bath for 7 years before it could be displayed at the Yigal Allon Museum in Kibbutz Ginosar.

Source: Wikipedia

Never cease believing in miracles. They are there, we just have to train our eyes for us to see them.

Comm'n Baby, Take That Ride

Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-humped oh camel . . . jungle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way.

That's how happy we were when we had our turn to ride the camel. There were limited number of camels so not everyone had the chance to be with a camel (except for photo shoot), well there were really those who decided not to.

As for me and my friend, we were told to lean back when the camel is to stand. Yo!

Camels have lived in some of the most desolate corners of our planet, and not only do they live, they thrive. Camels are only able to do this because of their amazing ability to efficiently use the resources their environments provide.

A camel can travel long distances which allow them to take advantage of the maximum number of resources. They can withstand a massive amount of dehydration which allow them to survive not only between watering holes, but sometimes between seasons. When at a watering hole camels are able to gorge themselves and rehydrate quickly.

For food, camels are omnivorous. Their mouth is very sturdy, able to chew thorny desert plants. They can eat almost anything be it vegetation, meat, or bone,-- salty or sweet, a camels stomach knows no limits.

A camel's thick coat reflects sunlight, and also insulates it from the intense heat radiated from desert sand. Long eyelashes and ear hairs, together with sealable nostrils, form a barrier against sand. Their gait and their widened feet help them move without sinking into the sand.

Source: Wikipedia

Don't be weary. Be a survivor. Take lessons from a camel.

Healed by a Snake Stick? The Serpentine Cross

I was so fortunate to be looking at the view from the top of the mountain (Mount Nebo). I was imagining how Moses was gazing at the Promised Land, as God had shown it to him.

I was so engrossed with this thought that I almost did not see the cross at my side, the serpentine cross sculpture. Awakened from my hypnotic state, I quickly took a shot of the sculpture. Luckily, it was a swell one-time shot.

The serpentine cross sculpture (the Brazen Serpent Monument) atop Mount Nebo was created by Italian artist Giovanni Fantoni. It is symbolic of the bronze serpent created by Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9) and the cross upon which Jesus was crucified (John 3:14).

On March 20, 2000, Pope John Paul II visited the site during his pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Mount Nebo being one of the most important Christian sites in Jordan). During his visit he planted an olive tree beside the Byzantine chapel as a symbol of peace.

Pope Benedict XVI visited the site on May 9, 2009, gave a speech, and looked out from the top of the mountain in the direction of Jerusalem.

According to the 2 Maccabees 2:4-7, the Prophet Jeremiah hid the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant here (at Mount Nebo).

Source: Wikipedia

If you just keep on seeing the promised land from afar but are not able to get there , God has other plans for you. Pray for a serpentine cross or better yet, ask wisdom.

A Window to the Promised Land, Mount Nebo

Mount Nebo is an elevated ridge that is approximately 817 meters (2680 feet) above sea level, in what is now western Jordan. The view from the summit provides a panorama of the Holy Land and, to the north, a more limited one of the valley of the River Jordan. The West Bank city of Jericho is usually visible from the summit, as is Jerusalem on a very clear day.

According to the final chapter of Deuteronomy, Mount Nebo is where the Hebrew prophet Moses was given a view of the promised land that God was giving to the Israelites. "And Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho."

According to Jewish and Christian tradition, Moses was buried on this mountain by God Himself, and his final resting place is unknown.

Source: Wikipedia

Let God bring you to your resting place.