Holy Land… for Haiti!
Have you ever been to the Holy Land? I’ve had the chance to have visited there three times so far. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I believe that every disciple of Jesus Christ should try at least once in their life to physically walk where Jesus walked.
Doing so opens up the Scriptures in a whole new way. When you visit the place where Jesus told Peter, “You are rock, and upon this rock I will build my Church,” you get to see the cliff in the distance that Jesus was referring to. When you go to where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount and said, “look how the wildflowers grow… if God so clothes the grass of the field, will he not much more provide for you?”, you can see the beauty of the wildflowers growing on the hill.
Many call the Holy Land, “the Fifth Gospel” because, like the Gospels themselves, it is one of the best way of understanding and experiencing Jesus. I had studied Scripture most of my life and I thought I knew it pretty well. And then I went to the Holy Land and saw everything in a new way.
Here is what I am confident about: if you have never been to the Holy Land, a pilgrimage there will change your life. I’ve never had someone go to the Holy Land and describe their experience as “just okay”. It will deepen your relationship with Jesus. There is a grace that comes from the ground. You will celebrate Mass where Jesus was born, lived, died, and rose again.
So that’s my main point: at some point in your life, go to the Holy Land.
Okay, here is a secondary and not as important point as the first: would you like to come with me?
I’ll be honest, I don’t “do” pilgrimages, though I’ve been asked many times. But Fr. Louis Merosne made me an offer that I couldn’t refuse. He is taking people to the Holy Land to raise money for the poor in Haiti. None of us are making money on the trip, and even the tour company is donating the percentage they would usually make for those in need in Haiti.
So this would be a great chance to 1) go to the Holy Land, 2) with Fr. Louis, me, Bishop Dumas, and Greg Bottaro (do you know him? He is amazing), while 3) raising money for the Haitian poor. It is February 1st to 10th next year (2020) You can find more information at https://www.pilgrimages.com/holylandforhaiti/
I can’t stress enough how amazing the Holy Land is. You need to go at some point! And pray about potentially going with us. We’d love to have you with us in February, and it would be a great help for those in need!
One Comment on “Holy Land… for Haiti!”
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My most popular book!
Deacon Bob Rice 
Right on!
I’ve been to the Holy Land twice, and everything single time I was in “wow!” Land! Getting to go with you, Greg, Bishop Dumas and the pilgrims AND to have this be a fund raiser is EPIC!