Holy Land
To say that missing the Holy Land is an understatement would itself be an understatement. Long ago, the gift of my experiences was stored deep in the chambers of memory. Visiting the Western Wall is one of them.
Sometimes, when asked how many times the Holy Land has been visited, the answer that proudly blurts out is, “At least 20 times.” But honestly, after visiting for 15 years, the count has been lost. The excitement starts at LAX, waiting to board a flight of more than 15 hours, settling into a coach seat, and making friends with whoever is seated nearby. Once the plane lands in Tel Aviv, the adrenaline kicks in. Passports are never stamped there, in case a visit to another Middle Eastern country is planned. The interrogation at Israeli customs is grueling. As tired as one may be, a battery of questions must be answered. Many times suitcases are opened and thoroughly searched — truly at their mercy. And when traveling in a group of 20, every person must be accounted for. Then it’s smooth sailing to Jerusalem.
Jerusalem — The Ascent
The journey to Jerusalem is not simply travel — it is an ascent, because the city sits 2,500 feet above sea level. To pilgrims, it is a spiritual journey from the very first step. How this city is missed, and how deeply the longing grows to visit just one more time.
Prayer is the most important part of my life. Ascending to Jerusalem and its holy sites makes that prayer feel especially powerful, yet that same connection with God can be made anywhere.
Psalm 122:1-2 New American Bible (Revised Edition)
A Pilgrim’s Prayer for Jerusalem
1 A song of ascents. Of David.
I rejoiced when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2 And now our feet are standing
within your gates, Jerusalem.
The Western Wall — Intercession
The act of placing petitions in the crevices of the Western Wall mirrors the biblical instinct to bring all burdens before God in His holy place. The prayer petitions left in the crevices are gathered periodically and buried in the Mount of Olives, considered hallowed ground in Jewish tradition. This practice honors both the prayers themselves and Jewish law, which prohibits discarding writings containing God’s name or prayers.
Catholics share a similar tradition. The Church teaches that written prayers, missals, holy cards, and other religious materials should never be carelessly discarded. Instead, they are reverently buried or burned—often through special parish services. This practice reflects the Catholic understanding that what has been set apart for sacred use, or what bears God’s name, remains holy and deserves respectful treatment even in its physical form.
This information comes from Catholic teaching on sacred objects and Jewish traditions regarding the Western Wall.
28 Regard kindly the prayer and petition of your servant, Lord, my God, and listen to the cry of supplication which I, your servant, utter before you this day. 29 May your eyes be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you said, My name shall be there; listen to the prayer your servant makes toward this place.
Luke 1:46–48
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness.”
Adoration — The Powerful Anointing
The parish holds Adoration on the first Friday of every month. But on this particular Friday, the Monstrance was not exposed after the 8:30 AM Mass because another Mass followed shortly after. Still unable to drive, this complicated things considerably — and the day rushed by with Adoration forgotten entirely.
Then on Saturday, Mike was up early as usual, getting ready to take the granddog for a walk. Jumping out of bed, the request came quickly: “Will you take me to Adoration?” As we pulled into the parking lot, Mike looked around and said, “There’s no one here — what are you doing?” “There is always someone there,” came the firm reply. Walking through the doors, the powerful anointing was felt immediately.
Psalm 27:4
“One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life.”
Prayer Requests
I Scroll through the notes app on my phone where all prayer intentions are safely stored. This is where the prayer begins.
For years, a handbag has been filled with prayer requests to bring to the holy sites — and finally, to leave at the Western Wall. With every prayer offered, a personal intention is lifted for each individual. In a very real way, those petitions are placed into the small crevices of the Western Wall. To better organize the requests, they have been broken down into categories, beginning with the most serious ones.
To share the tearful joy of doing this in the presence of God is another level of experience altogether. Sometimes, tears need no explanation.
The Rosary
After finishing up with the over a hundred intentions on the list, there is still time to pray a Rosary. There before the Lord, praying the Rosary completes the session. Before leaving, kneeling before the Monstrance, a special blessing is asked for my family. Slowly walking backwards until reaching halfway to the door, then a quiet genuflection while making the Sign of the Cross. How the longing to spend the entire day there is real — but life happens. Mike had an appointment he needed to keep.
The Blessing
Blessings follow when the Lord is put first. So much was accomplished, and Lynda — the Reluctant Chef — made a wonderful dinner for Mike. The home was filled with peace, and even the granddog felt it.
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.”
My Prayer
Thank You Lord for always meeting me where I am. Amen.
