May 7-10
Back to Istanbul for the Remainder of our Journey

After our amazing journey this morning into the hillside ruins of Assos and Troas, we departed for our long journey back to Istanbul. This was going to be about a six hour ride, but somehow we didn't mind. We enjoyed the company with each other, our guide, and our bus driver; we enjoyed the prayer with each other and the conversations about sacred Scripture; and we enjoyed the beauty of God's creation, the countryside of Turkey, and of course marvelling at the new life God granted today, Adem's baby.

When we finally arrived back in Istanbul, we were ready to share another wonderful meal together, and then to relax in a room that we wouldn't have to move out of so soon. This would indeed be a treat to be able to wake up and not have our luggage outside the door within a half an hour.

Friday morning we were off again as a group, today we went to the Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sofia, two ancient amazing wonders. both buildings were full of beauty. The workmanship and architecture were indeed wonders in themselves. I was so moved in Hagia Sofia, built initially as a church and later turned into a mosque, and now today it is just a museum. The images of the frescoes on the wall were truly beauty that allowed me to adore more deeply the God whom I love so much. Seeing the images of Jesus, Mary, and St. John the Baptist made my heart leap with joy, just as in the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth St. John leapt for joy within his mother's womb. I felt like my heart was rejoicing, do you see here the God who loves you so much, do you know him? Come and adore him, he wants to know you!

This was exactly what my heart was really feeling the entire journey of this pilgrimage, a deepening of my own call to mission, just as St. Paul was being called and sent, so too I felt that same call. And now that I am writing this, I do want to shout out to all who would hear, come and know him, come and adore him, he loves you so much!


Later that evening back in the hotel, we were able to have Mass and hands on prayer together
It was moving to all of us, but I realize now that what I voiced as my desire for prayer was indeed the call of the Lord for me, which was deepening with each step of the journey of this pilgrimage. How good God is, how faithful, and loving, and tender. Again I feel His shepherding.

And so I pray today:

Here I am Lord, is it I Lord. I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go Lord, where you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.

-Here I Am Lord

__________

Saturday, May 9

Today left us with one less pilgrim, Father had to return home, but we are holding him in our prayers, and his presence is still very much a part of this group. This morning we are off to Chora church. What an amazing ancient church. I think that for this sight, the pictures will tell it all. Every wall, every area of the ceiling was covered with the most beautiful mosaics and frescoes. This was a highlight for many of us, as we stood in awe at the mysteries of our Lord there in the artwork displayed for the many generations that have continued to pilgrimage here. Everyone, seeing the beauty and all of us being drawn deeper by what was not seen, the prayer of the Holy Spirit which was certainly being prayed in the soul of each of us who were there adoring the images, the wonder, the grace. The song that kept coming to me there, and even now as I remember this part of our journey is from the song Amazing Grace, by Chris Tomlin:

My chains are gone, I've been set free.

My God, my Savior has ransomed me.

And like a flood, his mercy rains.

Unending love, amazing grace!

After our visit here, I am just left with the echoes of the Spirit of God praying in me. I really just felt like I needed to go and be, but we were on to immerse ourselves in a part of culture and tradition of Turkey, the Grand Bazaar. Wow, what a place, 4000 stops for all of those shop -a-holics. We didn't even make a dent in what was there to be seen in the hour we spent. But somehow I felt like it was enough. From there our group split up to go separate ways, and we all had to say good-bye to someone who had been such a big part of our journey, our guide, Barch. I felt that God had so blessed us with him, what a gift he was to us all with his passion for life, history, ancient Greek, and an understanding of the sacred Word that meant so much to all of us. How beautiful that God had worked it all out that even through this Turkish guide, His hand would be guiding us and touching our hearts so deeply. We will continue to hold him in our hearts and to lift him to the Lord. Again I feel that the words thank you are so inadequate, but I know that God understands the depth of the gratitude that is really unspoken in my heart.

So in the afternoon, John and I were off to the Spice Bazaar, another interesting place that was like being immersed into Turkish culture and life. The sights, and sounds, and smells filled us. It was a lot of fun and we didn't have to stay that long. Then we decided to walk some of the way back to the hotel, that was fun for me too. We went through ordinary neighborhoods with parents taking their kids to the playground, and kids playing hopscotch, and some kind of fancy jump rope on the sidewalks, and little boys running after balls in the street. With so much of the ancient world a part of their life, right in their back yards in some cases, they were very much a part of the same world we knew. Everyday life goes on, and I can't help wondering what of it will be passed on to the future generations. I pray that the song in my soul that wants to shout: Jesus is Lord! Do you know him? He loves you! His love, and his mercy, and his grace endure forever! Come and let us adore him!, that this song, this prayer will somehow echo on even here in this place that I have come to love as I have been called to be a pilgrim.

We are pilgrims on a journey,

we are travellers on the road.

We are here to help each other

walk the mile, and bear the load.

-The Servant Song

May 7
The Pilgrims Journal

Next stop on the pilgrim tour, Assos, an ancient city where Aristotle lived, and St. Paul visited. Well not exactly at the same time, but you get the idea. Wow, this ruins of this city are on a hill over looking the Aegean sea. You can even see the island of Lesbos across from it.
I am feeling moved about the visit of St. Paul to this ancient city in which many were contemplating the meaning of life. But, it seems not many really understood Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And how many today truly understand? All along our journey there in Turkey to every ancient city we visited, there were Shepherds tending their flocks, and I felt the Shepherd himself, Jesus, tending to us, nurturing and guiding us in such a loving, gentle way. And isn’t that also the message that St. Paul was preaching back then, that Jesus whom they crucified, was loving, kind, and merciful, and that He himself would Shepherd them guiding them to everlasting life.

From Assos we walked down the hillside and continued on to Troas, another ancient city visited by Paul. There was not much unearthed yet in this ruin, but the synagogue which was later converted to a church was exposed there. Amazing grace, that is what I felt there, and it was there in that ancient place where St. Paul preached, and even raised someone to life who had fallen from and upper floor during his sermon, that we were able to celebrate Mass. Isn’t God amazing how he worked all of that out for us? I think that I was so moved by his grace in this place that I had to be conscious of not falling over myself.

God’s love continued to be poured out that day, and when we went back to the bus we found out that finally the bus driver’s wife had delivered her new baby girl. What a gift of grace! We had been praying for her our entire trip, and this was her second time in the hospital. The first time in they wanted to do a C-Section, but it seems that God had other plans.

Praise God and the glory of His creation to Adem’s new baby daughter! Thank you God!

All you works of God, every mountain, star, and sea.

Praise the God of all creation who has called us all to be!

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

Sardis, Pergamum and Beyond

Today as we left Izmur, we were to see two of the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation (Rev 1:11), the church or Sardis and the church of Pergagmum. All seven churches are located in the western part of Turkey and each is addressed individually in Chapters 2 & 3 of Revelations. All the scripture passages to the seven churches mention words of praise but point out that they are not yet ready and more preparation needs to be done for the second comining of Jesus. At the sites we read the scripture passagees for the churches from Revelations and we prayed. Grace has been flowing at each destination and this day was no different. Walking along and placing ourselves among these ruins and the church history that connects us has been a very moving experience.

Walking Along the Road

It was another day of amazing grace walking in the footsteps of St. Paul. Our first stop the ancient city of Ephesus. St. Paul spent three years here, so I was mindful of my steps today. Some were uneven and some may have been a bit off balance, but with each one I continued to lift each of your intentions. The city was an incredible sight, as you can see from the pictures I've included. I made sure to visit the best stops along the way, the Beverly Hills of Ephesus terraced houses up along the hillside, and the library that housed 12, 000 scrolls on heated shelves (I was really missing my students and colleagues at home).

But one of the most deeply moving experiences was my walk toward the sea. I really felt the intercession of St. Paul, and a closeness with the Lord as I contemplated this part of the journey. There was much discussion going on and though I did walk along with everyone, I was stepping deeper and deeper into prayer every inch of the way.

I was reminded even from the begining of our walk along this road today that this was the way to follow the Good Shepherd, from the readings throughout the day, to the shepherd tending his flock along the hillside as we entered the ancient site. One small sheep followed along a bit behind the others, and I heard within me, " I am the Good Shepherd." As this thought entered my mind, I recognized it as invitation from Jesus to follow him, and as I reflected further, I remembered that just before arriving we prayed Morning Prayer together and cried out with Psalm 5:

To my words give ear, O Lord, give heed to my groaning.

Attend to the sound of my cries, my King and my God."

I knew with an expectant faith that the Lord was inviting me to come deeper, and to carry you along with each step, whether smooth marble or uneven stones were beneath me, Jesus supported my feet, an assurance and a hope.

Biblical Antioch of Psidia, Laodicea, and then to Pamukkale

Well, today was another grace filled and Spirit filled day. Our morning journey took us to Antioch of Psidia located 1Km northeast of the modern day town of Yalvac. Antioch of Psidia was a capital city for many different cultures because of the economic, military and religious activities of the region. St. Paul gave his first sermon to the Gentiles here (Acts 13:13-52) and visited the city once on each of his missionary journeys helping to make Antioch a center of Christianity in Anatolia. As we approached the city it was apparent this was going to be a special day. We walked on the streets where Paul most likely walked and as we looked down you could see the grooves in the stones of the streets from the chariots and carts of that day. Then we walked to the theatre and listened to the reading from Paul to the Galatians, it was a powerful moment of reflection and grace. Though Paul probably preached in the synagogue, I could only imagine what it might have been like when Paul spoke.
As we approached the end of our walk we came to the Great Basilica (church of St Paul) and gathered for liturgy. What a powerful moment to celebrate the sacred liturgy on the site where St Paul walked. God was truly with us as we broke bread together and shared in the body and blood of Jesus. We are very blessed pilgrims to celebrate the liturgy together in this place.
Our entire day was filled with treasures and grace as we continued on to the city Laodicea and on to Heirapolis where we saw more excavated ruins and saw the famous Pamukkale hot spirings. I will share with you more about these in the entries to come as well as our future sites. Thanks for your prayers and May God's Blessings be with you all.

Today was again busy but oh so blessed by the sweetness of the Lord's love. We were off for Tarsus today, the home of St. Paul, and we were able to see the site of an ancient Roman road, ruins, and the well of St. Paul. It's amazing to reflect on life at the time of Paul walking on that road. The service that he provided after his conversion and formation in the Lord, and the love and commitment he had for God and the people on his journey, how passionately he surrendered all.

The next part of our day was a surprise of love, and amazing grace, a witness for us all. We left the site of the well of St. Paul where we went on to the Church of St. Paul in Tarsus, opened most often as a museum. But during this year - the year of St. Paul, the Sisters have allowed it to be open for pilgrims to have Mass there. When we arrived at the convent just minutes after leaving the well, we were filled with the water that only God can provide. Since there was already a Mass going on in the church, they had made another space for us in the convent itself. Watching one of the three Italian sisters care for all the details of attending to making the space ready, and providing hospitality for us, was touching. They are the only Catholics in Tarsus, and they stay to witness Christ's love for His people. How tenderly they hold and care for the people of God and how passionately they surrender all. What a loving witness!

The sister even stayed to celebrate the Mass with us, what a beautiful anointing of grace we received during our liturgy and fellowship together. Answering the call to serve we were moved to encourage and support their work in Tarsus. And so we try to continue to be open to the journey, open to the call of the Holy Spirit, and to follow the Good Shepherd.

Later on in the day, we were on to the sites of two other ancient cities that are merely mounds right now, because excavation has not officially begun. Derbe and Lystra two other places that Paul spent time preaching and healing. Interestingly enough, we needed to be guided back in the right direction by a young shepherd boy herding his flock of sheep back home from the pasture. How many times do we need to be guided back onto the right road by the Good Shepherd himself and to come back to the well to which we are called, the well of living water. Only then can we be refreshed and restored to live, to love, and to serve. Only then can we receive the love and healing that we need.