May 6,
This was another grace filled day. Going to the ancient cities of Sardis and Pergamon. Sardis allowed me to feel like I was going home, as they had restored the amazing gymnasium. The building itself was used for educating, and for sports. In front of the building was a huge yard at least the size of a football field used for sporting events. As I walked around the yard and the building itself I thought of the activities of Independence and how they would work in this kind of a setting. I could see all the events of field day taking shape, (well it won’t be long anyway). But could we handle the ruggedness of life.?
The highlight of this city for me aside from the gymnasium was the synagogue. It was here that we decided to have our liturgy. In the book of Revelations, this was one of the seven churches addressed. They are referred to as a city that appears to be alive, but is dead. As Christians they are reminded how they accepted and heard the Word of God, and are being encouraged to be steadfast in faith and to repent. How often we get caught up in busy worldliness of life and also need the same reminder.
To celebrate Mass here in this place was divinely inspired. The splendor of this synagogue was truly beautiful with its columns, mosaics, and frescos. (We were never really sure where we would be able to celebrate and pray, we just came prepared each day.) We read from the Acts of the Apostles, where Barnabas and Paul sent forth by the Holy Spirit went to Cyprus and proclaimed the word of the Lord in the synagogue. Hearing this Word also set our hearts on fire as if we too were being sent, And so we proclaim just as in our opening antiphon:

I will be a witness to you in the world, O Lord.
I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers.”
Ps 17: 50

From Sardis we were on our pilgrim way to Pergamon another one of the cities addressed in Revelations. This walled city was quite a showy sight to see high up on a mountain, where the Acropolis was visible to all below in the valley. There was a Christian community here that was considered faithful inspite of all that surrounds them Temples to Zeus, and two other pagan gods. The magnificence of the design of this city had us all reflecting on the life that went on there. Even when we descended from the mountain to the valley below we continued to be amazed, There we went to Asclepion an ancient center for healing, and we tried to receive treatment from our guide who chanted repeatedly - “We won’t be late for the bus, we won’t be late for the bus.” It seemed to all of us that this ancient place for pilgrims was like a first hospital. It even had sleeping space in the underground, round caverns.
Another blessed day we had as pilgrims on the journey.

“We are a pilgrim people. We are the church of God.
A family of believers, disciples of the Lord.”
One Spirit, One Church