Journeys

The tradition at St. George's College Jerusalem is that course members participate in the entertainment on the last night of the course. The All Angels group, including extended family, recited/performed the following poem, Journeys, written by Anna Haslbauer.

JOURNEYS

Jerusalem
June 15, 2006

We’re ALL ANGELS, family and friends, too.
You’re not gonna believe what we have in store for you!

We crossed the world to come and be
and see where Jesus trod—
We’ve come to be nearer to our God.

However – it’s not just location, location, location—
It’s pilgrimage; it’s devotion; it’s integration; it’s completion.

We bring ourselves
We bring our baggage
We bring our families

But we have also come to see
what is brought to us, too!

Our flight to get here seemed like 40 years!
But it was worth the wait –
As this place is so special
it brings us all to tears.

How long does it take to get some sleep?
Jet lag, they say – or – is it
“Feed my sheep”?

Four groups to Old City we went.
Now we know what means
“heaven-sent.”

Tripping through the tunnel
by candlelight –
We stubbed our toes; we lost the light –
but we’re finding it anew.

First to see the new excavation:
the steps and pool of Siloam –
Wow! Let’s celebrate with a Jeroboam!
Blistering heat, but undaunted pilgrims
we sing
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”

So – on our JOURNEYS we have
stubbed our toes
blown our noses
wracked our bodies and minds.

We have
increased our finds
sweated like crazy
(yet no one was lazy)

strained to hope
saved by faith
been tested through and through.

So pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

We touched a stone,
rejoiced: I’m home!
Been open-hearted
to what God has started…

So pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

We
celebrated a marriage
sang in St. Anne’s and other places too –
renewed our Baptismal vows

had Holy Eucharist at the Sea
were swept up and surrounded
by the winds

blessed some crosses
and asked forgiveness
for our sins.

So pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

We have eaten our fill
of all God’s wonderful food –
Tho we are not yet full…

We pestered the staff – and
they’ve handled it well – and
grace-full-ly, too.

We lost 2 cameras, a passport, a fanny pack, a briefcase, a hat--
and got them back!
bought some pastries and ice cream
just for a snack.

We bought beaucoups of souvenirs
then bought bags to take them home in!

Our money we spent when
seems like everywhere we went
we heard the Call to Beer!

On our bus travels we saw
“low-lying greenery, like plants”
And marveled at no plants at all – just ants!

And how many gates can a city have?
Old City gates are nothing
compared to the one at St. Margaret’s!

Too narrow to believe a bus could fit,
yet we passed on through it
thanks to Mousa
(and as long as we held our breath!)—
Next day - No Way:
so let’s walk it!

We had several m-e-n-t-s on our trip:
Mary – got the announcement
(and she could have been stoned)

The woman of faith won the argument –
and received the pronouncement

Peter got a name change and a commandment, and

We got spring water and contentment

So pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

We shared a new Beatitude:
Blessed are those who are on time
at the bus –
For they shall ride on water!

(So get me to the boat on time!)

We learned the Dead Sea is dying.

Close shaves surely stung

as we floated and had fun

On the Dead and dying Sea.

We have walked off our (souls)soles
We have sought every stone
to touch and be touched by…

We’ve seen the high places and
low-in-the-valley places;
We’ve pondered every one.

So pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Some journeys are short:
arrive and see and leave

Some journeys are long
like this one is sure to be…

There is so much to process
from the land and to the sea
And then back again to the Old City.

So pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

We carry this place away
in our hearts…
Our minds have not yet caught up

But one thing is sure
that along the way
we’ll pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

WE WILL TAKE IT WITH US – AND
DOMINE IVIMUS;
“LORD WE ARE HERE.”

By Anna M. Haslbauer