Posted on 05/12/2009 4:02:24 PM PDT by NYer
JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI encouraged the "little flock" of Christians in the Holy Land to persevere as a vital presence in society and a witness to unity in the troubled region.
The pope met with the bishops of the Holy Land May 12 in the chapel of the Cenacle, which tradition says is the "upper room" of Jesus' Last Supper and the place where the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles at Pentecost.
He sought to bring energy and hope to a flock that has decreased drastically. Over the last 40 years, the Christian population in the Holy Land has gone from about 20 percent of the population to about 2 percent.
In a speech, the pope said one key element for the church's future is an effort to build unity among its various branches.
The Christian presence in the Holy Land, he said, is of "vital importance for the good of society as a whole." The church, though small in numbers, can act as a leaven in society, transforming hearts and shaping actions, and promoting a "climate of peace in diversity."
The pope said the church must avoid the temptation to "turn in upon ourselves in selfishness or indolence, isolation, prejudice or fear." It should carry out its mission in the Holy Land with frankness and courage, he said.
The pope commended the bishops for setting up assistance programs for local Catholics, and told them they could also count on his support. The Holy See coordinates funding for hundreds of projects and programs for the people in the region.
Pope Benedict cited Jesus' words in St. Luke's Gospel: "Fear not little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
Afterward, the pope visited Jerusalem's Latin-rite co-cathedral, kneeling in eucharistic adoration and greeting the 300 people who gathered inside. Before the pope arrived, seminarians briefly unfurled a Palestinian flag from a balcony.
What a pilgrimage! When I think of pilgrimage, I think of someone spending some quiet time in prayer at that holy place, pondering and reflecting on its message. This poor man has not had one quiet moment since arriving in Jordan. I hope they have scheduled a few quiet moments somewhere for him.
It doesn't sound as if they've scheduled any quiet place anywhere for him. I honestly don't know who he could even trust there, since everybody seems to have an agenda.
I'll be happy when he gets back to Rome. This was probably one of the most stressful trips he - or any pope - has ever made.
No one knows for sure exactly where the Cenacle is situated, just as no one knows for certain exactly where in the Jordan river Christ stook. But, from both ancient records and archaelogical evidence, this site was determined to be fairly close.
Bishop Epiphanius, a native of Palestine (310-403), basing himself on documents of the 2nd century, writes "Hadrian... found the city entirely rased to the ground and the Temple of God destroyed and trampled upon, with the exception of some houses and a certain small church of the Christians, which had been constructed in that place, in which the disciples, after the Saviour was taken up to heaven from the Mount of Olives, betaking themselves, mounted to the Cenacle".
The Christian community that had fled to Pella in 66 AD before the first jewish revolt and the subsequent siege by the Romans, would surely have returned to the centre around which, with the Apostles, the first community had arisen and which preserved, among so many memories, the seat of the first bishop, St. James.
The jewish temple of Sion had passed away but the new Christian Sion had arisen. The Christians saw in the words of Isaiah: "For the law shall come forth from Sion: and the words of the Lord from Jerusalem", an indication of their own church whence "the word of the Gospel of our Saviour Jesus Christ and his Apostles is spread to all men" (Eusebius). Even the pilgrim Egeria describes the liturgy that was celebrated "in the church on Mount Sion" in memory of Christ's appearance after his resurrection and of Pentecoste. Restored by St. Maximus (331-349) it seems that the church was restored or rebuild by the bishop of Jerusalem John II (386-417). From now on it is called "Holy Sion" (Hagia Sion). source.
Have you had the opportunity to follow some of these visits on EWTN? There was some excellent commentary this afternoon from two of Raymond's guests - a Franciscan monk who is fluent in Arabic and spent 30 years in the Holy Land and a monsignor who has also spent an extended period of time there. The monsignor said it is difficult to explain the heightened emotions that persist there from all who consider Jerusalem their home. Each of the 3 major religious groups (christian, muslim, jew) is subdivided into others and each has an agenda. We witnessed that yesterday when the uninvited imam took over the podium at the inter-faith meeting. This is precisely why the pope is on a pilgrimage of peace, seeking to focus each group on a simple agreed upon message - we all believe in the One, True God.
The christians, however, are caught in the middle and are leaving in droves. At today's Mass in the Kidron Valley, only 3,000 were present.
That is very sad. Christians really are caught in the middle on this one.
I will breathe a real sigh of relief when the Pope gets "home" to Rome.
Pope Benedict XVI encouraged the "little flock" of Christians in the Holy Land to persevere as a vital presence in society and a witness to unity in the troubled region.The little flock will continue to shrink in the face of systematic Muzzie persecution, rape, murder, etc.
It’s not the “muzzies” who are driving the Christians out of the Holy Land.
The Plaque at David’s “Tomb” says David was NEVER buried there....it is a SYMBOL. It has a nice navy blue velvet curtain if you are doubting that I was there.....and men sticking candles in your hand and then making you pay for them.
Actually the Muslims OWN a lot of the land and lease it back to the religious sects.
It still makes little sense that the “last supper” would have been held immediately over the tomb of King David.
I don't doubt you were there. I've been there as well, though I don't recall such a plaque (granted, my extra-Biblical Hebrew skills are practically non-existent).
However, treating a place David was not buried as if he were in fact buried there seems somewhat on the order of a birkat shav' (a vain blessing), which is forbidden.
No one put candles in my hand and me money there, though they certainly did at the Wall.
On my pilgrimage we had quiet times — usually our free time, but we also were like the Pope — on the go all the time.
No one approached my husband or I with candles at The Wall....they forced them into my husband’s hands at “David’s Tomb” and then insisted he pay them....he was a tad offended at the forcefulness.
You are correct.
My experience was the exact opposite. I was ignored at the Tomb but every time I went to the Wall I was relieved of cash by the pious. I recommend going only on days when money can't be handled (Shabbat and Yom Tov).
It's the Middle East . . . everyone begs for money!
not at the HOLY SEPULCHRE.
During my stay I didn't dare set foot outside the Jewish Quarter of the Old City.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.