Hearing the call

Today, we travelled to Mt. Carmel in the city of Haifa. It was within the darkness of a cave upon this mountain that the Lord spoke to the prophet Elijah, not in the strong wind, not in the earthquake, not in the fire, but in the still small voice. In fact, we entered this very cave and touched the walls that were the setting for this profound encounter. We then celebrated Mass in a small chapel there, meeting the same Lord that spoke so quietly to Elijah.

After Mass, we went to the city of Akko, where we explored an architecturally amazing Crusader city, complete with dining hall, huge inner court, market and secret passageways. Upon crossing through this complex and into the modern city of Acre, we settled down to a delicious and picturesque meal at a restaurant right along the Mediterranean.

The third visit we paid today was the Tomb of the Just One, discovered by the Sisters of Nazareth, whose Religious house rests right on top of it. This site, all located underground, contained a Byzantine Church, a first century Nazareth house, and a tomb from the first century as well. For me, that tomb was the coolest and most powerful part of the site, since it gave me a clear of idea of what our Lord’s tomb looked like. Looking in, I could imagine Jesus lying dead in His tomb and I could picture the place that he saved me from death and sin.

On the front door of the Basilica of the Annunciation, where our Mother conceived our Lord by the Holy Spirit, very near the site just mentioned, are inscribed the words from Hebrews 1:1, “In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets,” which verse two continues, “but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son.” These words struck deep in my heart when I saw them.

In Old Testament times, God spoke through prophets, judges, and kings, but now God has spoken through His very Son, and we are in the place in which that Son first spoke. We are where He learned to walk, where he was taught how to live and love.

Jesus calls each of us to a new and deeper intimacy, which we can see so clearly in the land of His ministry, life, death, and resurrection. Yet for those not here, the Lord calls you to this same intimacy- how will you respond to the Lord who loves you? I promise you, He is calling you to nothing but love.