Depart in Peace

Jerusalem is the City of Peace, and today is the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple. For me the connection is a profound one. As Saint Symeon had spent his life desiring to see Christ, I have spent my life with the “someday it would be nice to visit the Holy Lands” sort of attitude.

When Saint Symeon held Christ in his arms, he prayed, “Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for the revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2.29-32) I feel like I can finally empathize with Saint Symeon. I feel as if my journey has been fulfilled in Christ. Not that I want to die anytime soon, but the past ten days have changed me, I pray for the best.

In the Gospel of John 1.43-46 we read, “The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.  Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’

And Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’” I now have been to each of those places. I came and saw, and will forever be grateful to Carlson Travel, Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral for allowing me to be away for ten days, and to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for this amazing experience.

We’ve gone through security, had our passports cleared, and are now waiting to board our flight home. Next stop…..HOME!