Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus: My Sabbatical in Israel

Though the sabbatical year occurs every 7th year, this was my first sabbatical after 30 years of ministry. I needed to get away and cease my labors for I had buried too many beloved parishioners in the 24 years of service in my present parish. Graciously, my parish sent me off to Israel for 28 days. I spent 3 weeks in Jerusalem and 1 week in Galilee. I also took side trips to Herodian, Bethlehem, Masada, Qumran, and Beit Shean. I traveled alone and by foot most of the time. I set my own agenda day by day. From early morning to late afternoon I would walk from site to site observing and taking pictures. I carried two guide books and Bible and a camera and little else. At each site I would sit and read the pertinent scriptures. Each evening I spent several hours writing, describing what I had seen and my reflections about it. The reflections are mostly Biblical and theological but also historical and political. I never thought I would go to Israel - now I never stop thinking about it.