Stephen K. Ray's Blog, page 97

Before the Days of the GPS

The post Before the Days of the GPS appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

Israel 5 Bethlehem All Day with Dancing – Parts 1 and 2

This is always a favorite day on the pilgrimage. Bethlehem all day with a wonderful Passover lamb dinner with lots of dancing with Christian young people and their traditional garb.

We started the day at the beautiful Bethlehem  store where everyone got to shop for icons, olive wood products, mother of pearl, antiquities and more. People commented on what a fun and pleasant experience it was. Plus we helped over 60 Christian families.

Then to Mass at Shepherds Field where the angels announced the good news to the shepherds. We had Mass in the cave. Then we had a simple lunch of Shawarma sandwiches because we were anticipating a huge dinner.

We were delighted to find no crowds at the Nativity Church so we were able to see the nativity of Christ, the actual place where he was born without the normal hours in line. Delightful!

We prayed the Mystery of the Rosary of the nativity. We then went to the Herodian which was a fortress built by King Herod and where he was buried. We also looked out over the Judean wilderness.

Then to our fabulous dinner and dancing with Christian young people in their traditional Dabka costumes. You have to watch video number two to see all of that  (Video 2 will be uploaded soon).

The post Israel 5 Bethlehem All Day with Dancing – Parts 1 and 2 appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

“Palestine” – What is the origin and meaning of the word? Today we enter Bethlehem

Since we are entering the Palestinian Territories today — going to visit our good friends in Bethlehem for the first time in two years — I thought it would be appropriate to share this post again.

I often hear people refer to Jesus as a Palestinian Jew or that the land was called Palestine even back in the times of the Old and New Testaments. Sadly most people have no idea where the word “Palestine” came from or when its usage began, and why.

The many names of this land through history are fascinating and the title Palestine is also very intriguing. People have lived on that narrow strip of land for thousands of years. Were they all Palestinians?

Canaan was the name of the land at the time of Abraham, named after the pagan peoples called Canaanites. Its boundaries were east of the Mediterranean Sea, south of modern-day Lebanon and Syria, and west of modern-day Jordan, with the Jordan River as the border.

When Joshua conquered the Promised Land, Canaan was renamed Israel. The new name of Israel was given to Jacob earlier when wrestling with the angel (Gen 32:28). The people living in Israel were called the Israelites, or the children of Israel.

Around 900 BC, the kingdom of Israel split between north and south. The north was called Israel and the south was called Judah. After the Jews returned from exile in Babylon around 400 BC and especially during the time of Christ, the land was roughly divided between Galilee in the north, Samaria of the Samaritans in the middle, and Judea in the south. Jerusalem was in Judea, from which comes the name Jew and Judaism.

A short digression to set the stage. During much of the history described above, there was a narrow strip of land along the Mediterranean Sea called Philistia, the land of the Philistines. Remember Goliath the Philistine? They were the perennial enemies of God’s people Israel.

In 70 AD, the Romans destroyed the temple in Jerusalem and scattered the Jews. Being in control, the Romans renamed the land Palestine. Palestine derives from the word Philistia. In other words, presumably, to erase the memory of the Jews and their land, the Romans renamed the land after their archenemies, the Philistines.

The Encyclopedia Britannia writes, “The word Palestine derives from Philistia. … The name [Philistia of the Philistines] was revived by the Romans in the 2nd century CE in “Syria Palaestina,” designating the southern portion of the province of Syria, and made its way thence into Arabic, where it has been used to describe the region at least since the early Islamic era.” The area was referred to as Palestine (or, land of the Philistines).

The Jewish Encyclopedia explains, “Vespasian officially designated the country as “Palestine” on the coins which he struck after the suppression of the Jewish insurrection in 70 CE., implying thereby the territory of the Jews.”

On the WorldHistory.org website we read, “Emperor Hadrian was so enraged by Jewish resistance that he re-named the province Syria Palaestina (after the two traditional enemies of the Jews, the Syrians and the Philistines) and banished all Jews from the region, building his city Aelia Capitolina on the ruins of Jerusalem.”

To refer to this land during biblical times as Palestine, as in “Jesus was a Palestinian Jew” or “Palestinian Jews built synagogues visited by Jesus” is actually anachronism because the land was not renamed Palestine during biblical times.

In 1948, David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the land as the State of Israel. U.S. President Harry S. Truman approved on the same day.

Not a few refuse to accept the State of Israel and will not use the name. Many now call the land “the Holy Land” not only because it was made holy by the Lord’s presence and actions, but to avoid offending Jews and Palestinians.

The land is officially called “The State of Israel” (excepting the portions called the Palestinian Territories in the West Bank and Gaza) but many Palestinians refer to it all as “occupied Palestine”.  Israeli Jews reject reference to the land as “Palestine”, and many Palestinians abhor the name “State of Israel”.

And both tend to see the usage of “Holy Land” as a denial of their rightful ownership or presence.  It is, however, in reality, the State of Israel and Israel has a right to exist and to call their land the State of Israel.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

Footnotes:
https://www.britannica.com/place/Pale...

“Palestine”, Singer, Isidore, ed. In The Jewish Encyclopedia: A Descriptive Record of the History, Religion, Literature, and Customs of the Jewish People from the Earliest Times to the Present Day, 12 Volumes. New York; London: Funk & Wagnalls, 1901–1906.

https://www.worldhistory.org/palestine/

The post “Palestine” – What is the origin and meaning of the word? Today we enter Bethlehem appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

From Galilee to Jerusalem, Capernaum, Boat Ride, Visitation and Jerusalem

Big day today packing up our suitcases and moving from Galilee to Jerusalem. But we’ve got a lot to do in between. We start the day at Capernaum where I give my talk “Defending the Eucharist“ because this is where Jesus said “Eat My Flesh and Drink My Blood”. Mass at the Memorial of Saint Peters house where Jesus lived during the three years of his ministry.

The boat ride is always a highlight and people enjoy seeing the biblical sites from the water and to get a feel for the life of the disciples. St. Peters Fish for lunch and then we head south to Jerusalem.

Along the way I give our conversion story. We visit the Church of the Visitation and pray that Mystery of the Rosary and I give my talk Mary the Ark of the New covenant. From there we head to the Notre Dame hotel and settled in for the night.

it is delightful moving through the land and visiting the sites without crowds and lines. We pretty much have the whole place to ourselves

The post From Galilee to Jerusalem, Capernaum, Boat Ride, Visitation and Jerusalem appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

How Many Christians to Change a Lightbulb?

As we all smile at ourselves:

CHARISMATICS: Only 1 – Hands are already in the air.

PENTECOSTALS: 10 – One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.

PRESBYTERIANS: None – Lights will go on and off at predestined times.

ROMAN CATHOLICS: None, they only use candles.

BAPTISTS: At least 15 – One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken.

EASTERN RITE CATHOLICS: Don’t know yet. They’re still waiting for permission from Rome to change the bulbs.

EASTERN ORTHODOX: None. Orthodoxy never changes, and, in addition to burning candles like the RCs, they use oil-burning lamps. Electricity is for those Gregorian calendar-using, liberal ecumenist jurisdictions.

ANGLICANS: Eight. One to call the electrician and six to say how much they liked the old one better. Plus one dissenter saying they should steal the RC’s candles.

ANGLO-CATHOLICS: At least eight as well: crucifer, torch-bearers, thurifer, boat-boy, sub-deacon, deacon and priest carrying the new bulb on a silk pillow…

EPISCOPALEANS: 3 – One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks, and one to talk about how much better the old one was.

MORMONS (non-Christian of course): 5 – One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.

JEHOVAHS WITNESSES: (non-Christian, of course) None, too busy knocking on doors telling everyone they have the wrong lights.

UNITARIANS (non-Christian of course): We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, you are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, 3-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.

METHODISTS: Undetermined – Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or a dim bulb. Bring a bulb of your choice to the Sunday lighting service and a covered dish to pass.

NAZARENES: 6 – One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy.

LUTHERANS: None – Lutherans don’t believe in change.

AMISH: What’s a light bulb?

JEWS: Where’s Jacob’s ladder when you need it?

UNBELIEVERS: None, they’d rather sit in the dark

The post How Many Christians to Change a Lightbulb? appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

Israel 3: Beatitudes, Caesarea Philippi, Syrian Border, Primacy & Tabgha

We couldn’t ask for more delightful weather. Today we had Mass outdoors on the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the sea. Our drive to the northern border of Israel is always fun with the priest, Fr. Chas sharing his vocation story.

We drove along the fence with Lebanon and then I gave my talk on the papacy at Banias, called Caesarea Philippi in biblical times. Always a magnificent site.

Lunch at the Druze restaurant, stopped to overlook Syria and discuss the issues in the Middle East before heading back down to the Sea of Galilee to visit the Multiplication of Loaves and my talk on John 21. We normally do this at the Primacy Of Peter but it was closed today so I gave it at Nof Zginodar right before we saw the ancient boat from Jesus‘s time.

Dinner at the Magdalena Restaurant capped off a marvelous day! Enjoy!

 

The post Israel 3: Beatitudes, Caesarea Philippi, Syrian Border, Primacy & Tabgha appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

Billy Graham’s Early Influence on My Life & an Excellent Talk by Rev. Billy Graham

I have a soft spot in my heart for this man because he has had a PROFOUND impact on our family. After a long and fruitful life, he died on February 21, 2018, at the age of 99.

(Picture: Me at 17 years old)

It was his message over the airwaves in 1953 — when Billy Graham was doing a crusade in Detroit — that first brought my mom to Christ. She tells me even today at 100 years old that she fell to her knees in tears that day and asked Jesus to save her.

My dad — who died at 94 years old having been married to my mom for 73 years —followed her conversion and his life was totally changed. My mom and dad then brought us boys to a living and vibrant knowledge of Jesus Christ.

[Link to My conversion story with Billy Graham woven in]

Then when I was 17 years old Billy Graham had a huge impact on me — so much so that after hearing him on the radio in about 1969 I slipped out the back door of our country home and with my long hair and bell-bottom jeans walked down the dirt road with tears in my eyes. I said, “Jesus, I am only 17 years old but tonight I am giving my entire life to you!”

It was THE defining moment in my life. I have great respect and admiration for this good Baptist preacher and will someday in heaven look him straight in the eyes and thank him for reaching a rebellious 17-year-old kid for Christ.

In the family picture, I am on the top row left with the plaid jacket

Below is a video of Billy Graham given shortly before his death. It was given to the scientists in Silicon Valley. He was fragile with age but his words are powerful, precise, and ever so pertinent to our society today. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

The post Billy Graham’s Early Influence on My Life & an Excellent Talk by Rev. Billy Graham appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

Israel 2 Transfiguration, Cana & Nazareth

On our first full day of the Pilgrimage we always start out early and we end early so people can have some free time by the shore of Galilee and rest after all their travels.

picture is of Mount Tabor, the Mount of Transfiguration.

.Today we started with Mass at the top of the Mount of Transfiguration and then renewal of wedding vows in Cana and then time in Nazareth — hometown of our guide Amer. It’s always a highlight to pray the 1st Joyful Mystery at the very place where the angel met Mary and the words of the Rosary originated.

I also get my talk “A Day in the Life of the Holy Family” at the very place for the Holy Family lived for 30 silent years.

It was a great day and everyone had a wonderful time with a special time for prayer and Bible study and fellowship along the shore of the sea of Galilee.

The post Israel 2 Transfiguration, Cana & Nazareth appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

The Mrs. Finally Asks Directions

Click for larger image

The post The Mrs. Finally Asks Directions appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

Back to Israel- what a joy to receive our group!

Israel had its borders closed for over two years. We are one of the first groups to arrive back on pilgrimage. And what a joy it is!

There were a lot of Covid protocols and drama with the mask mandate being dropped, testing and barcodes but we all made it in and we’re ready for the thrill of walking in the land of Our Lord and Our Lady.

We picked up our group of 57 in our brand new 2022 Mercedes bus and headed up to Galilee. Our favorite Ron Beach Hotel is on the outskirts of Tiberias right on the water. Amazingly, the Sea of Galilee is 20 feet higher than it was two years ago due to much rain and snow on Mount Hermon.

Enjoy our daily video updates as we share our adventures with you.

The post Back to Israel- what a joy to receive our group! appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.