DAY 3- VISIT TO THE SITE OF THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
BETHANY BEYOND THE JORDAN
ZENIT has filed a story about the event, though I still see no other:
King Abdullah turns up as
the Pope's suprise tour guide
BETHANY, Jordan, MAY 10, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI was unexpectedly joined today along the banks of the Jordan River by Jordan's King Abdullah II.
The Pope, on day two of his weeklong pilgrimage to the Holy Land, visited the site of Christ's baptism at Bethany beyond the Jordan.
Though not part of the original program, he was accompanied in a private motorcade of elongated golf carts by King Abdullah and Queen Rania. The king, seated beside the Pontiff, explained to his guest the archeological excavations being carried out in the area. The exploration is being overseen by a Jordanian commission.
Archeologists have found more than 20 churches, grottos and baptismal fonts in the area, showing that the site was a popular pilgrimage spot in early Christianity.
Nowadays it is much-neglected, only open a few times a year. But the area is scheduled to undergo considerable growth: King Abdullah is planning to build five Christian churches near the historical site some refer to as the birth of Christianity. And one of the expected consequences of the Holy Father's visit to the location is that pilgrims will rediscover its significance.
After visiting the baptismal site, the small party continued on to a public venue where the Pope was greeted by several thousand faithful. The Pontiff blessed what will be the cornerstones of the two Catholic churches to be built next to the historic river, one Latin and one Greek-Melkite.
"It is with great spiritual joy that I come to bless the foundation stones of the two Catholic Churches to be built beside the river Jordan, a place marked by many memorable events in biblical history," the Holy Father explained.
"The foundation stone of a church is a symbol of Christ," he continued. "The Church rests on Christ, is sustained by him and cannot be separated from him. He is the one foundation of every Christian community, the living stone, rejected by the builders but chosen and precious in God's sight as a cornerstone. With him, we too are living stones built into a spiritual house, a dwelling place for God."
"Let us rejoice," said the Pope, "in the knowledge that the two buildings, one Latin, the other Greek-Melkite, will serve to build up, each according to the traditions of its own community, the one family of God."
Prelates in attendance included Gregorios III Laham, patriarch of Antioch for the Greek Melkite Church, Archbishop Fouad Twal, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, retired Patriarch Michel Sabbah, Archbishop Joseph Jules Zerey and Bishop Salim Sayegh.
In the absence earlier of a report devoted to the Bethany event, I posted these notes on what happened during this wonderful event as it unfolded on CTV/EWTN:
King Abdullah and Queen Rania themselves joined the Holy Father on the trip to the site. Originally, only Prince Ghazi was supposed to be the royal host and guide for this event.
For the trek to the remote site along a narrow road, everyone rode suspersize electric cars - the Pope sat in the second row beside King Abdullah, with Queen Rania and Mons. Gaenswein seated in the row behind; Prince Ghazi sat beside the driver; while Patriarch Twal and Archbishop Sayagh took the rear seats.
The motorcade stopped for a while opposite the archeological digs that established the site's claim to being the baptism site of Jesus, with both the King and Prince Ghazi (and the archeology minister) answering the Pope's questions.
They then proceeded to the site for today's ceremony, where a few hundred faithful were assembled. There, the King and Queen joined the Pope in unveiling the markers for the future Church of the Baptism of Jesus and the Melkite Church under construction now.
Afterwards, the royal couple discreetly took their leave as the Holy Father proceeded to the stage for the ceremony with the faithful.
Prince Ghazi stayed for the rest of the ceremony but he sat in the front row of the audience, not onstage.
But, in effect, he attended a prayer ceremony that included the blessing of the cornerstones for the churches in construction and a
mass renewal of baptismal vows. {This must be a 'first' for any Muslimm royal personage, particulaarly a direct descendant of Mohammed!]
REMARKS AT THE PRAYER SERVICE
Dear Brother Bishops,
Dear friends,
It is with great spiritual joy that I come to bless the foundation stones of two Catholic Churches to be built beside the river Jordan, a place marked by many memorable events in biblical history.
The prophet Elijah the Tishbite, was from this area, not far north of Galaad. Near here, facing Jericho, the waters of the Jordan opened before Elijah who was taken up by the Lord in a chariot of fire (cf. 2 Kg 2:9-12).
Here the Spirit of the Lord called John the son of Zechariah to preach a conversion of hearts. John the Evangelist also places in this area the meeting between the Baptist and Jesus, who at his baptism was “anointed” by the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and proclaimed the beloved Son of the Father (cf. Jn 1:28; Mk 1:9-11).
I greet with joy His Beatitude Gregorios III Laham, Patriarch of Antioch for the Greek Melkite Church. I also greet with affection His Beatitude Archbishop Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. I extend my warm best wishes to His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, to the Auxiliary Bishops present, particularly to Archbishop Joseph Jules Zerey and the Most Reverend Salim Sayegh, whom I thank for his kind words of welcome.
I am pleased to greet all the Bishops, priests, religious and faithful who accompany us today. Let us rejoice in the knowledge that the two buildings, one Latin, the other Greek Melkite, will serve to build up, each according to the traditions of its own community, the one family of God.
The foundation stone of a church is a symbol of Christ. The Church rests on Christ, is sustained by him and cannot be separated from him. He is the one foundation of every Christian community, the living stone, rejected by the builders but chosen and precious in God’s sight as the cornerstone (cf. 1 Pet 2:4-5, 7).
With him, we too are living stones built into a spiritual house, a dwelling place for God (cf. Eph 2:20-22; 1 Pet 2:5). Saint Augustine loved to refer to the mystery of the Church as the Christus totus, the whole Christ, the full or complete Body of Christ, Head and members.
This is the reality of the Church; it is Christ and us, Christ with us. He is with us as the vine is with its own branches (cf. Jn 15:1-8).
The Church is in Christ a community of new life, a dynamic reality of grace that flows from him. Through the Church Christ purifies our hearts, enlightens our minds, unites us with the Father and, in the one Spirit, moves us to a daily exercise of Christian love. We confess this joyful reality as the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
We enter the Church through baptism. The memory of Christ’s own baptism is brought vividly before us in this place. Jesus stood in line with sinners and accepted John’s baptism of penance as a prophetic sign of his own passion, death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins.
Down through the centuries, many pilgrims have come to the Jordan to seek purification, renew their faith and draw closer to the Lord. Such was the pilgrim Egeria, who left a written account of her visit during the late fourth century.
The Sacrament of Baptism, drawing its power from Christ’s death and resurrection, will be cherished especially by the Christian communities that gather in the new church buildings.
May the Jordan always remind you that you have been washed in the waters of baptism and have become members of the family of Jesus. Your lives, in obedience to his word, are being transformed into his image and likeness. As you strive to be faithful to your baptismal commitment of conversion, witness and mission, know that you are being strengthened by the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Dear brothers and sisters, may the prayerful contemplation of these mysteries enrich you with spiritual joy and moral courage. With the Apostle Paul, I encourage you to grow in the whole range of noble attitudes covered by the blessed name of agape, Christian love (cf. 1 Cor 13:1-13).
Promote dialogue and understanding in civil society, especially when claiming your legitimate rights. In the Middle East, marked by tragic suffering, by years of violence and unresolved tensions, Christians are called to offer their contribution, inspired by the example of Jesus, of reconciliation and peace through forgiveness and generosity.
Continue being grateful to those who lead you and serve you faithfully as ministers of Christ. You do well to accept their guidance in faith knowing that, by receiving the apostolic teaching they transmit, you welcome Christ and you welcome the One who sent him (cf. Mt 10:40).
My dear brothers and sisters, we now proceed to bless these two stones, the beginning of two new sacred buildings. May the Lord sustain, strengthen and increase the communities that will worship in them. And may he bless you all with his gift of peace. Amen!
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 11/05/2009 01:50]