One of the striking gifts of the desert is silence. As we reflected on that gift in the Judean wilderness, these words were shared:
The fruit of silence is prayer. The fruit of prayer is faith. The fruit of faith is love. The fruit of love is service. The fruit of service is peace. There is a deep peace in the quiet beauty of the wilderness. Such incredible gifts borne out of silence. Desert spirituality reminds us that God is present on the hard side of life. God was present and faithful to the Children of Israel as they traveled to the promised land and God is present and faithful to us. Isaiah 40 says it so well: “The Lord is the everlasting God…He does not faint or grow weary…He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and grow weary…but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Desert Spirituality also reminds us that we carry too much “stuff” through life. The desert prompts one to travel light. In so many ways we are called to simplify what we have and what we use
From the profound vista of the wilderness overlook, we climbed onto the backs of camels and rode into the wilderness. There is no animal that amuses me more than a camel and we were all amused at the experience. In truth, there were actually a few white knuckle riders . J The camel journey was a part of an experience of Bedouin hospitality. Tea was served in a goat hair tent, fresh bread baked over an open fire before us, the rythmic sound of the coffee grinder transported us to a different world. Lunch around low to the ground tables, was abundant and exceptionally tasty: rice, chicken, lamb, fresh roasted vegetables, mountains of fresh hot bread and tangerines – hospitality, par excellance.
The day was completed with a bob in the Dead Sea. The salinity of the Dead Sea is so great that one floats with ease or bobs like a cork.
Blessings to all
Mary Hulst
