A Reply to Love
from the foot of the cross
We weren’t sure where we would spend the night.
I arrived at the Basilica of the Annunciation but the grotto in which it is believed to be THE spot of the Annunciation was blocked off. I sighed.
We hopped off the bus at a random street in Nazareth and walked, with all our supplies and camping gear, to where we would spend the night. On our way we stopped at the doors of the Basilica of the Annunciation.
On Friday morning, October 6, 2023 at 2 am we all hopped on the bus and headed out for the airport. We arrived at the airport with a hefty line to check in. I began to get nervous.
I had many thoughts on how to best prepare myself for my pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
On Monday, October 7th, it will be one year since the infamous attack by the Hamas on Israel and Israel's declaration of war that soon followed.
When I think back to the days of “deep Covid” when our downtown ministry consisted mostly of packing produce boxes at the food pantry run by the Urban Mission and praying with people in line there, one person especially stands out in my memory: the minute, upright figure of “Agatha.”
*Warning - some disturbing content* I have known a fair number of sweet old ladies in my day.
