Procession

I sit here exhausted, a bit dehydrated but oh so in awe.

Today's Palm Sunday procession, from Bethphage to the Old City was like nothing I have ever experienced.

Perhaps World Youth Day would be the closest (yet oh so different) comparison. 

Imagine tens of thousands of people, armed with palms and olive branches, song and prayer, joy and fraternity. 

All in honor of one man. 

Who lived thousands of years ago.

Life-changing.

It was as if (albeit nuanced with modern touches of microphones and popsicle stands), we were experiencing the very moment of 2 thousand years ago.  The frenetic energy, the excitement, the hope, the curiousity, the faith.

Christ was very much present with us today, in the strangers putting sunscreen on Ceci, in Sally holding Jacob's hand and leading him along, in Dennis carrying children and backpacks, in the spontaneous song rich with harmonies, in the care and conern of my fellow Tantur women, the new and immediate friendship between Isaac and Jacob, and the leadership of our dear Sr. Bridget.

What a profound gift this is for us, for our children and for our falling-in-love with Christ.

Although fatigue calls me to bed, I wanted to get a quick note out, so as not to lose the freshness of the moment.

Oodles of pictures and video to follow.

And joy.

Oh, the joy.