Today, the shepherd of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis declared the Good News to his 50 fellow pilgrims on their spiritual journey through the Holy Land. (See a photo gallery from their day)
He did so during a Mass he celebrated in a cave converted into a chapel overlooking a field of Bethlehem. The cave is one of several converted chapels of the Franciscan-run Shepherd’s Field and Grotto.
According to Tony Azraq, the pilgrimage tour guide who also works as an archaeologist, use of the cave dates back at least to the time of Christ, and was likely used by shepherds herding their sheep in the nearby field.
“When Jesus talks about himself as the Good Shepherd, he wasn’t referring to us as sheep in a diminishing way,” said Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin. “As we study God’s word, it became clear that Jesus was referring to how a shepherd controlled his sheep. It was through his voice. The relationship between a shepherd and his sheep is so close.”
The archbishop also said in his homily that Christ calls us “into loving God with all our heart, soul and mind, and loving our neighbor as ourselves.
“That probably sounds a bit foolish, but the reading from I Corinthians reminds us that the weakness of God is stronger than human strength, and the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom.
“What we meet here in Bethlehem in a tender and intimate way is the foolishness of God, the weakness of God. It waits for us as a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.”
Sheila Dropcho of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Indianapolis found herself reflecting on the shepherds during the Mass.
“I think of what Tony said about how young the shepherds were,” she said. “I always pictured them as older men. I just imagined these young boys going home to the parents saying, ‘You won’t believe what just happened!’ ”
For Bea Eckert and her husband, Richard Deitchman, members of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis, the Mass was the highlight of their day.“I thought it was very intimate having Mass in that little cave,” said Deitchman, who also appreciates the archbishop’s “meaningful, to the point homilies.”
The pilgrims next visited another cave in Bethlehem—the Church of the Nativity, which is built over the cave in which it is believed Christ was born (caves were used as stables in the time of Christ). The site lies in a cave beneath a large church that is currently being renovated for preservation purposes.
Elizabeth “Betty” Schmidt of Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Indianapolis said that seeing the spot where Jesus was born will make the name of her parish take on more meaning.
“It was very beautiful,” she said. “It was exciting to see where Mary delivered and then placed Jesus in the manger. It was thrilling to be there. It says something to your heart to go there and then go back home to Nativity parish.”
Due to walking limitations, her husband Greg was unable to see the underground shrine, but said he was “just happy to be there.
“I was sitting outside looking at the [sign with the] name of Nativity Church, and I thought how wonderful it is that our parish is named after the spot where Christ is born,” he said.
The pilgrims also visited the Milk Grotto, a cave in Bethlehem in which it is believed the Holy Family stopped on their flight to Egypt after the angel Gabriel appeared to Joseph in a dream and warned him of Herod’s desire to kill the Christ child.
In the city of Christ’s birth, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Maher, a pilgrim from SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis, celebrated her own birthday. Maher turned 24 today, and was surprised when a cake was brought out after lunch to celebrate.“It was amazing to celebrate my birthday here,” she said. “The last week has been amazing. I was unsure about coming [on the pilgrimage] because it isn’t like your usual vacation, but it’s been awesome, especially getting time to spend with my family. Traveling with my [mom, dad, sister and retired Father Bob Mazzola, a relative of the family] has been the best gift, more meaningful than a bunch of little gifts.”
The pilgrimage has also been meaningful for Deitchman, 91, and Eckert, 81. They were married in May of 2012. The two were introduced to each other in October of 2011 by children of each of their prior marriages.
“The last three years have been wonderful,” said Deitchman. “We go to daily Mass together, and we pray together. Those things have been very important to us.”
When asked why they chose to go on the pilgrimage, Bea said, “We figured we better do it now while we still can!”
See a photo gallery from Day Nine of the pilgrimage
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