On the Sabbath

Shabbat Shalom! It's the Sabbath here, and I'm sitting in the hotel bar listening to terrible, too loud karaoke. This spot has been great each evening up to now to take advantage of the free wifi, the drinks, and the opportunities for some group processing. But on the Sabbath, everything is just a little different. Today we visited Mt. Tabor and Bet She'an - extremes - highs and lows - living speculation and ancient certainty. At one point we were within about 200 yards of Israel's border with Jordan at the Jordan River. At our meeting tonight - as we meet each evening - we had a spirited discussion about the nature of welcome. The holy sites we're visiting have mostly been managed by the Roman Catholic Church. As such, we Anglicans have been outsiders to a degree. The discussion centered around those feelings that emerged from that experience, but also, interestingly turned to a brush with self-examination. Where are our doors closed? What patterns of exclusion do we fail to notice? How can we best be followers of Christ in this divided world?  We're not quite half of the way through our time in the Holy Land, yet the trip already feels so full. There is so much left to be seen, felt, experienced, and processed. Thanks be to God!
Jon