Day 5 and our 16 coaches head north from Jerusalem to Nazareth carrying we 750 True Life in God pilgrims through terrain that has been fought over for millennia.
As news of the British Parliament's refusal to intervene militarily in Syria broke today we passed places where, due to British policy, Jewish brigades operated ruthlessly against Arab villagers in the run up to the state of Israel being established in 1948.
All through Palestinian territories key symbols remind of those Arab villagers who fled for their lives leaving their homes, and eventually leaving the keys to those homes to children and grandchildren. No wonder there is deep seated resentment in Israel-Palestine. What a blessing, I thought, following last night's prayers, that Britain at least is adopting a humbler role towards a region we have not always best served in the opinion of the locals and which needs more considered support.
Nazareth represents a different Key - to a heavenly homecoming - as the coming of God to dwell in Mary unlocks our sharing the divine nature! The place seemed to have a lighter feel than strife-ridden Bethlehem or divided Jerusalem, its Arab majority being well respected by the Israeli State. Our business there was primarily worship in the magnificent Church of the Annunciation, a 1960s concrete edifice, stone faced so that in the 33 years since I last visited the interior concrete has darkened whilst the exterior retains a lightness that well accompanies the light house look of the Church, Mary the beacon leading us to the true Light of her Son.
To hear the Ave Maria's echo in the Basilica at the end of Mass reminded me of how much transformation of life has flowed from its first use by Gabriel to Mary in this hidden away place now a Christian Mecca.
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