The first day of the Rome pilgrimage is always a bit crazy - we get a late start because most people land in Rome in the morning, and then have to get to the hotel. But it's also a long day because we really have to power through the first day and not let anyone take a nap or anything, otherwise the group will never get on Rome time. So we began with a group lunch, and then we had what I call "Jesus Day" - visiting the sites and relics of the Passion of Christ. First was the Holy Stairs - the very stairs Jesus ascended to meet Pontius Pilate, which were transferred from Jerusalem to Rome. They are now near the Cathedral of Rome, San Giovanni in Laterano (St. John Lateran). Then we went to the church of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (The Holy Cross in Jerusalem), which contains relics of the Passion, for people who can't make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Here's a short (about a minute) video I took going around the Holy Column in the church of Santa Prassede. This is the column that Jesus was tied to when he was scourged by Pontius Pilate. They don't always have the barrier down, so you usually don't get to see it from all the way around. I wanted to get video of the whole thing all the way around because I ran across a note in an ancient document that said that those who made a pilgrimage (at that time to the Holy Land, since it was still in Jerusalem) could visit the Holy Column, and could see marks left from the hands of Jesus where he gripped it as he was being whipped. I assume that this is pious legend, but I figured since the column has that dark & light marble, maybe there's a place where the dark parts look like hands. I did not see it, but if you do, let me know!
I mentioned in The Journey that I wrote a song based on Isaiah 2, which is one of my favorite OT passages:
In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain, and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it. Many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us go up to the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations, and set terms for many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
I hope you like the song!
With this we begin our NEW SERIES on The Doctors of the Church!
As we end one calendar year and begin another, I am especially grateful for all of you who have become members and supporters here in The Original Church community. As you know, the community has evolved a bit from the original vision, and it continues to evolve. We will have some more changes coming with the new year. To be honest, I'm not even sure yet what all those changes will be, since I'm waiting to hear from publishers about writing projects for 2025. And that will determine what my schedule will allow this year. So please be patient as I figure out what 2025 is going to look like for me, for this community, for my teaching, writing, podcast, etc. So stay tuned for more info coming...
And speaking of 2025, it's not too early to start thinking about whether you might be able to join Mike Aquilina and me on a pilgrimage to Sicily! That's coming December 1-11, 2025.
