Faith-Quest:
The Land Where Jesus Walked
Introduction:
Welcome
to the land where Jesus walked! I am Abdul Bakr. I am pleased to take you
on a virtual pilgrimage of the Temple Mount and the Western Wall,
Nazareth, and finally Bethlehem. As we virtually walk the land that
Jesus walked, you will visit places that Pope John Paul II visited in
March 2000 during the Jubilee Year. Come, let us visit a land rich with
history, tradition, and most of all faith!
Day 1: The Temple Mount and the Western Wall
Day 1 -- The Temple Mount and the Western Wall
The Land Where Jesus Walked comprises the present day country of Israel. We often refer to Israel as the Holy Land, a place that most Christians would like to visit. Those who have made the journey, often called a "pilgrimage," say they will never be the same again. Just walking where Jesus walked becomes a gift in itself. You are invited to set aside three days in your daily schedule for a virtual tour through several sacred sites in the Holy Land. You will be given the opportunity to learn more about this ancient land and its people, to stop and pray, and to remember that this is the place where Jesus lived, died, and rose from the dead.
Let us explore the place where Pope John Paul visited on March 26, 2000, the Western Wall. As you view the scene, begin to imagine what it is like to walk to the Wall and place your prayer in one of the cracks--as the Holy Father did.
Pause for a moment to pray the prayer that the Pope placed in a crack at the Western Wall.
Take a moment to write a prayer that you would like to leave in a crack in
this ancient wall.
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Follow the directions of your leader: 1. Write a prayer in your prayer journal, or 2. Email the prayer to your catechist or teacher. |
After you have completed your prayer, we will walk up the stairs to the top of the Temple Mount. The Temple Mount continues to be a holy site for the three major religions - Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.
Dr. Leen Ritmeyer is a former lecturer in Biblical Archaeology at the University of Leeds and served as adjunct professor of Biblical Archaeology at Trinity South West University, Albuquerque NM, USA. He hosts the Temple Mount in Jerusalem Website where brief summaries and a computer graphic reconstruction of the Temple can be found.
When
you are finished reading about the Temple Mount provided by Dr. Ritmeyer,
briefly summarize what you have learned about the Temple Mount.
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Follow the directions of your leader: 1. Write a reflection in your prayer journal, or 2. Email the reflection to your catechist or teacher. |
Day 2 -- A Visit to Nazareth
The town where Mary and Joseph lived stands high in the hills of Galilee. Go to Bible Study Tools and type Luke 1: 26-30 into the "Search For" field. Set the drop-down arrow for in: to "Whole Bible" and using: to New American Standard. Then click on "Find."
Prayerfully
read the story of Mary being visited by the angel Gabriel. If you were
Mary, what would be going through your mind? Take a moment to write your
feelings or reflections.
Take
some time to reflect on the history of
Nazareth.
In three sentences, summarize what you have learned about the history of
this city.
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Follow the directions of your leader: 1. Write a summary in your prayer journal, or 2. Email the personal reflections and summary to your catechist or teacher. |
To
learn more about
Nazareth,
visit the photographic tour of Nazareth. If you actually had the opportunity
to visit this town, where would you like to visit and why?
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Follow the directions of your leader: 1. Write a comment in your prayer journal, or 2. Email the comment to your catechist or teacher. |
Pope John Paul visited the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth on March 25, 2000. Have you ever wondered why the Pope visited Nazareth on this day? Go to The Eucharistic Celebration for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord to learn why.
What would it mean for you to visit Nazareth on March 25th?
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Follow the directions of your leader: 1. Write a personal meaning statement in your prayer journal, or 2. Email the personal meaning statement to your catechist or teacher. |
Day 3 -- Bethlehem
On March 22, 2000 Pope John Paul II visited Bethlehem. In his homily the pope said, "Bethlehem is the heart of my Jubilee Pilgrimage." You are invited to read the homily. As you reflect on the significance of Bethlehem for the pope, think about on the significance of Jesus’ birthplace for yourself.
Take
time to virtually visit
Bethlehem
(click on "Bethlehem" in the list). You will find a brief
history about Bethlehem, the Grotto, Manger Square, and the Church of the
Nativity. After you virtually visit Jesus’
birthplace, pause for a moment. If you could, why would you like to visit
Jesus’ birthplace?
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Follow the directions of your leader: 1. Write a reflection on why you would like to visit Jesus’ birthplace in your prayer journal, or 2. Email the reflection to your catechist or teacher. |
Links Used in the Jerusalem Faith Quest:
The Temple Mount and the Western Wall Plaza
http://www1.huji.ac.il/md/vjt/134.htmlPrayer Placed at the Western Wall
http://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/pope/50/57/260320022.htmlThe Temple Mount
http://www1.huji.ac.il/md/vjt/136.htmlThe Temple Mount in Jerusalem
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ritmeyer/index.shtmlBible Study Tools
http://bible.crosswalk.comNazareth
http://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/san/TSnzmain.html and http://www.israel2000.tourism.gov/il/nazar.htmlThe Eucharistic Celebration for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
http://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/pope/50/56/250320003.htmlPope John Paul Homily – Bethlehem
http://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/pope/50/53/220320002.htmlBethlehem: the Birth Place
http://holylandphotos.org/site_list.asp
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