Abraham, the father of the two nations in conflict in the Holy Land (Arabs and Jews) and the spiritual father for the three monotheistic faiths present in the Holy Land, is the first pilgrim. The beginning of the history of salvation belongs to the symbolic person of Abraham a " wandering Aramean" (Dt 26.5) called to set out for an unknown land (Gen. 12:1). His calling came from God. It was not bound to any territorial dimension, rather God 'walked' along with his servant (Gen 17:1). Many of the features of the Exodus resemble an immense pilgrimage, a journey of faith. Jesus' exodus to Jerusalem is patterned after this earlier exodus of Moses. Jesus is the pre-eminent pilgrim. The Biblical story itself is one long pilgrimage, and a model of pilgrimage for believers. God has revealed himself to us not only in specific periods of time, but also in very specific geographic locations in the context of the Holy land.

 

Today the living stones continue to shout, asking for peace. These living stones form the rich, complex mosaic of the peoples of the Holy Land. These have been very difficult times for these living stones. Too often the press has indulged in sensational journalism rather than presenting the truth. Often parties involved in the conflict are vilified, and not given the least chance for real reconciliation. Or one group sides with half the people, completely ignoring the other half who strives for justice, security and peace.

 

Peace is not something that happens only between politicians and governmental leaders. The living stones are risking their lives daily for reconciliation and peace. Pilgrims themselves are definitely agents and instruments of peace. The living stones are calling for the pilgrims to join them in the Holy Land. The peoples of the Holy Land want them, not only as a source of very much needed income but also as a 'balm to their anguished souls' and needed agents of peace.

 

The churches of Jerusalem would like to see the pilgrims return to their spiritual homeland. By your pilgrimage to the Holy Land, you will contribute to the fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah's vision of universal salvation, justice and peace, not only in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, but also for all humanity:

 

"Many peoples shall come and say 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us his ways and that we may walk in His paths.' ... And He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more." (Isaiah 2:1-4)