Transformation

We awoke early once again to watch the sun make its way across the horizon.  Today there was no haze, it was a beautiful pink line that greeted us and welcomed in the dawning of a new day.

It was a day of transformation as we left the sea and made our way to Mount Tabor; the place in which the transfiguration of Jesus occurred.  As we made our way the mountain and could see from the distance, the low lying clouds gave it a majestic and holy appearance; as if God himself had  made bleached it whiter than we could ever imagine.  The road up the mountain is a steep switch back three mile journey and yet one that is filled with a beauty of a one lane road and the glorious views of agriculture springing forth to life below.  Seven pilgrims chose to walk the three miles up the steep road to gain a sense of what it must have been like to travel with Jesus.  While the road was winding and steep the conversations that flowed were joyous and transformative.  The view of shades of green below that held a crop were stunning against the backdrop of the blue sky.

Standing on top of the mountain the wind was blowing ever so gently and provided us with a renewed sense of purpose and lightness within our beings.  Standing in the glorious domed church with the mosaic tile so golden that all you could do was to stand in awe and feel the presence of the divine wrapping in you a life of warmth, grace and mercy.  The welcome of a life of being transformed.  As we worshipped and sang "Sweet, Sweet Spirit"; 'we lifted our hearts in praise without a doubt we know that we will have been revived when we shall leave this place.'

Jesus' relationship with the disciples were transformed that day.  The journey up the hill gave them the gift of having their relationship with their teacher, transformed into what would become a relationship with their friend and Savior.  God assured us that we too are transformed, that we are experiencing something so holy within this pilgrimage that our lives with him can never been the same.

The hush of the Sea of Galilee gave way to the busyness of Jerusalem.  Fr. Frank raised a glass as we gathered in the lobby and said "To Jerusalem"...as if to shout a hallelujah to the King of Kings.  A quick drop of our bags in our rooms gave way to a quick walk through the Old City.  As we neared the Damascus Gate my heart began to sing, my eyes began to fill with tears and a lightness within my soul.  Just as  the disciples followed Jesus;  12 persons followed Fr. Frank Ruff  through the Old City.  Fr. Frank teaching and talking all along the way in a way that made  you feel as though you were walking with Jesus himself.  The love and passion that Fr.Frank has for our Lord is breathtaking.  We listened and walked celebrating that this is where our Savior came as a child to celebrate; made his own pilgrimage for the high and holy festivals throughout the year. It was a moment of touching the define and being transformed.

The beauty of the sea may have given way to the pavement of Jerusalem but the power of our Lord Jesus continues to make the journey with and for us.

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