Weeping for peace in Jerusalem

Today was my first full day in Jerusalem; I arrived in the Old City of Jerusalem yesterday evening at dusk and could hear prayers coming from the Mosque of Omar while standing in the plaza of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, watching the faithful light candles at Christ’s Tomb. It was very surreal. After a delicious dinner followed by mint tea and engaging conversation with friends who live on the Mount of Olives, I slept 11 hours and awoke refreshed and ready to take in Jerusalem’s sites, before the delegation begins tomorrow afternoon.

The highlight of the day was visiting Dominus Flevit ("Jesus Wept") Church, the place where it is believed that Jesus wept for Jerusalem on his triumphant ride into town on a donkey, according to Luke 19: “As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If this day you only knew what makes for peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you.’”

The church is surrounded by 2000-year old olive trees and near the traditional location of the Garden of Gethsemane. The place was especially meaningful for me, not only because it there were less tourists there than at many other sites, but also because I too, weep for Jerusalem and want to know what will make for peace among all peoples here.

Tomorrow I start the delegation... hopefully I will find some answers, or the start to some answers, about what makes for peace...