Yesterday, we started at the “beginning” with the birth of Jesus. For the next couple days we’ll be visiting sites in Jerusalem, not necessary “in order.” Today we began with a visit to the Temple Mount. The golden “Dome of the Rock” there is perhaps the most recognizable site in Jerusalem. The Muslim mosque stands on the site where the Jewish temples would have been. As I walked around, I thought of all the Old Testament priests who would have served God in this place. Here, Abraham went to sacrifice his son Isaac. Such a powerful place.
Leaving the Temple Mount, we briefly visited the Western Wall where the Jews today go to pray at this spot that would have been closed to the location of the Temple, actually a part of the retaining wall of the second temple built by King Herod. From there we crossed ascended Mount Zion to the famous “upper room” where many important events took place, including the “Last Supper.” The physical room has been destroyed and rebuilt several times in history, but always on the original spot.
In the upper room, Jesus famously instituted the sacrament of Eucharist. At the same time, he instituted the priesthood to carry on the offering of his sacrifice. People often overlook the fact that two other sacraments were also instituted here. On the night of the resurrection, Jesus gave the apostles the authority to forgive sins, instituting the Sacrament of Penance. It was also in this room, nine days after the Ascension, that the apostles received the Sacrament of Confirmation as the Holy Spirit fell at Pentecost. It’s amazing to think how important that one little room is. You can’t celebrate Mass in the actual room today, so we had Mass in the attached chapel. “Do this in memory of me” Jesus commanded us… and so we did, right where he first did.
After Mass we visited the site where the Blessed Virgin Mary “fell asleep” at the end of her earthly life. The tradition in Jerusalem is that her body was then taken to the Mount of Olives and placed in a tomb. From there, the apostles witnessed her body assumed into heaven. We’ll visit that site tomorrow.
