My pilgrimage to the Holy Land was a life-changing, whirlwind trip. The daily journal I thought would be filled with prayer and reflections became an itinerary to supplement the 1,000 photos I took along our fast paced journey to so many holy sites. I prayed at the end of the journey that God would reveal to me His message and His majesty in the weeks following this life-changing experience. And that prayer is being answered. The layers of God’s graces upon me are being revealed, bit by bit, daily, as my summer unfolds.
Today I write about one grace-filled morning that profoundly touched my heart on the spot, but yet is still being cultivated in my soul.
While we were relaxing in the pool during our brief time at the Rimonim Mineral Hotel in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee, Chris Kreger described the magnificent sunrise she witnessed that morning. I, too, wanted to experience a sunrise over this lake, so integral to so many miracles and teachings of Jesus. At this point in my life, I don’t always sleep so regularly, so I was hesitant to set an early alarm because sometimes my best hour of sleep is between 5 and 6 AM. So, I asked God, if it is His will, to wake me so that I could see the sunrise. Well, He did wake me in time to witness a magnificent sunrise, at about 5 AM the next morning.
I woke, first disappointed about the robbed sleep, then excited that God answered my prayer! I sat, sleepy and grateful, on the plastic chair on our tiny balcony. It took me a few moments to notice Mary Martin on a neighboring balcony. We are about the same age (read: sleep deprivation and many obligations at home always in the back of our minds), and our brief words together spoke volumes. We knew we were connected and part of something very big that God was about to do. Our souls were connected through God’s power over nature, and we wordlessly joined our hearts as we focused our eyes on the illuminated Golan Heights. The oranges, pinks, and yellows of the sunrise were nothing like we see in the USA; no clouds dotted the landscape and scattered the light. The rays of the still invisible sun stretched even and unobstructed across the mountaintops – it was like watching God’s magnificent palm emerging from the vastness of space. The all encompassing glow of the approaching – yet still hidden – SUN was the most peaceful act of nature I’ve ever witnessed. I sat, mesmerized, and overcome by emotions emitted by tears and gentle sobs. God loves us all so much. It must pain Him to see how much we screw things up. Yet, He still loves us. He wants to bring us JOY. Joy is what was in God’s palm that morning. He was handing it to me in His magnificent, glorious sunlight.
I am going to attempt to show, in the pictures below, the sequence of this glorious, joyful, awe-inspiring sunrise. Here goes:
By: Sharon Bohlen
Sharon – “The layers of God’s graces upon me are being revealed, bit by bit, daily, as my summer unfolds.” That is beautiful and wonder of a pilgrimage. What we experience during the pilgrimage days themselves are the rich soil being turned, the crock pot being filled with ingredients, the heart and mind being massaged for later moments of health, awe and insight. The pilgrims lasted for fourteen days, we said. Really? The best is yet coming into clearer view and enjoyment. – Abuna Rob
Dear Abuna Rob – you are so right!! I want the graces of this life-changing experience to linger – kind of like a campfire, where you watch the glowing embers, not wanting the evening to end. Tonight I experienced the most amazing mass and healing service with the Cincinnati Filipino prayer community, BLD. This mass was made even more powerful for me because of the pilgrimage. Jesus just put some kindling on the embers. Praise the Lord! I can’t wait to see what He’ll be up to next.
Very beautiful, indeed. Thank you so much for sharing.
Wow…I can only hope, one day, I might be able to experience a Sunrise on Galilee…until then, I will do my best to remember the joy God hands me daily with his Sunrise on Milford.
Tine, I am really glad you did not need to travel half-way around the world to see the beauty God hands us on a continual basis!
Thank you very much, Sharon, for sharing your wonderful experience last night at the BLD mass with healing prayers for the sick at the All Saints Church in Cincinnati, OH. Indeed it was a very Spirit-filled evening led by Rev Fernando Suarez, MMMP with lots of physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual healing for all who were there. Much thanks to Rev Dennis Jaspers, Pastor of All Saints Church and Spiritual Director of Open In Spirit to God (Bukas-Loob Sa Diyos) Covenant Community-Cincinnati, Rev David Brinkmoeller, Pastor of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Parish, and the Most Reverend Joseph Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop – Archdiocese of Cincinnati, for their wholehearted support in allowing Fr. Fernando to visit and celebrate masses with healing prayers for the sick in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. We look forward to more healing experiences in tonight’s 5:30 PM mass at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Dayton, OH. To GOD be the Glory!
Dear Edgar and Nena, I am so grateful to the BLD community for including me in the beautiful mass and powerful healing service. I see so many parallels between the Filipino and Palestinian communities. Both groups are so strong in their Catholic faith; both are totally devoted to Jesus and put all their trust in Him! The Filipino devotion to Mama Mary is so beautiful, and so grace-filled!