Journey Back to Eden.pdf - St Mark Coptic Orthodox Church Chicago

A TIME TO GO ONPILGRIMAGE 133MARCH 6, FRIDAYO God of the Universe,Be praised for the mysteries you reveal! So far as I cantell, ours is the only planet where eyes look upward to theheavens to seek you. And in this world, this is the only landwherein you revealed your Word, your face, and your love. Icannot grasp the meaning of it: how you chose one lineage tobless many nations; how you made one land holy beyond allothers; how the few whom you call to yourself must be thesource of inspiration and enlightenment for the many; howthe one you call your Son is the center of your children’s life.But I sense that by the nature you created in us, we alsocenter ourselves around the special, the few, and the only. Welive through those few who fill our media, provide our entertainment,sing our music, play our games, wear our fashions,rule our realms, write our novels, and parade our wealth. Wecomplain to you about the scandal of your choosing one peopleand blessing one land, but that is our way too!We cannot find blessing except through the blessed onesheld up before our eyes. And the blessed ones themselves findtheir grace in One more beloved yet. Rather than be scandalized,may I rejoice that you find us through them, andfounded them upon him whom you have eternally loved.I have lived to see what his eyes saw when he walked uponthe land you promised Israel. The shapes and sights whichimpress the eyes may likewise compel the mind to engage inthoughts similar to his. As I see what he saw, turn mythoughts to his. You have made this land a sacred trust till welearn to occupy all lands in peace. Give Jerusalem peace!The Holy TreeMARCH 8, SUNDAYBack in Egypt, Father Jim and I arrived for the 8:30 A.M. Massat St. Fatima Church in Heliopolis, an outlying district of Cairo.That particular Mass was prayed in Coptic, although it is a churchin which the Eucharist is celebrated in a variety of rites. The