Chasing the Divine in the Holy Land
Page 18
Revelation 21 gives us John’s vision of the New Jerusalem, which is one of the Bible’s final scenes. How has this vision affected your journey of faith? If you have experienced the Stations of the Cross, how has that affected your spiritual life? Does this verse seem like a disconnect with this chapter? If you were asked to select a theme verse for this chapter, what would you choose?
CHAPTER 20: INFIDEL!
I will not let you go unless you bless me. (Genesis 32:26)
In Genesis 32, Jacob wrestles with an angel. When have you wrestled with God or one of the angels? In what ways has your hip been put out of joint by such an encounter? A wound such as this can last for a lifetime. Is this a blessing or a curse or both?
CHAPTER 21: OPEN
Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. (Luke 24:31)
Luke 24 tells about Jesus’ appearances after his resurrection. In the Emmaus story, two disciples have their eyes opened “in the breaking of the bread.” When has the sacrament of communion revealed the divine presence to you? You might want to revisit the questions for the first chapter. Consider this question: As a pilgrim, have you heard Jesus’ voice, felt Jesus’ touch, or not? In what ways does this presence/absence beckon you forward?
End Notes
3. Olive Trees and Sparrows
* Cynthia Ozick, “Toward a New Yiddish,” in Art and Ardor by Cynthia Ozick (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1983), p. 154
4. Six Degrees
* Read the whole story in chapters 16 and 21 of Genesis.
17. Transform
* Compare the Transfiguration accounts in Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36.