Final Day and Farewell!

Today is my final day in the land, and this group's last day in Israel.  The day's activities are many before we say a final farewell.

We begin the morning with a visit to St. Anne's Church in the Muslim Quarter.  As do most groups, we embarked on the pilgrim's faith journey on the Via Dolorosa.  The walk ends with what is often the chaotic experience in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, or as I prefer the Church of the Resurrection.

After lunch and shopping in the Jewish quarter, we descend to the Davidson Center for our visit to the archaeological ruins south of Temple Mount.  Our visit here includes some moments on the Rabbis' Teaching Steps.  As always, this place is one of the most inspiring among the many on the journey.  Jesus stood here and concluded His public ministry according to Matthew 23.  Simon Peter perhaps stood here and boldly proclaimed the gospel on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). 

Only the Garden Tomb awaits us.  If not for Holy Communion there, this site is a fitting place to say "farewell."

The Rabbis' Teaching Steps