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Hope for the Journey

Tumultuous Processions, Lonely Prayers

Introducing Hope for the Journey, a new series of brief meditations by Fr. George and Fr. Javier. You can view the complete series here and join the discussion on Facebook.


The Church of All Nations in Jerusalem is a sight to behold. Designed by the famed Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi, the ceiling is a bright, starry canopy: a mosaic of the night’s sky, commemorating the time that Jesus’ spent praying in the Garden of Gethsemane before his betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion. 

Should you decide to stop by, you’ll find yourself surrounded by pilgrims from all over the world, elbow-to-elbow as they jostle their way to the church doors. The line out the door makes for a tumultuous procession of sorts.

By the time I made it to the Church of All Nations, I’d already grown tired of the endless crowds at pilgrimage sites. I was disheartened by the inevitably commercial nature of tourism, even while on pilgrimage—even though I understood, in theory, that our presence signaled a much-needed boost to the economy (especially for the many who depend on it for their livelihood). Exploring Jerusalem’s complex religious and sociopolitical history is hard enough without getting pushed out of the way for someone’s photograph!

And yet, when I walked into that church and looked up, I had one of those rare moments you long for in a pilgrimage: surrounded by hundreds of people, I felt at peace. Even if only for a moment, I was engulfed in a strange kind of solitude.

The Church of All Nations on the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, May 2017

I doubt that Jesus experienced peaceful solitude on the night before his betrayal, but the fact of the matter is that he was alone: already betrayed by one of his closest friends, soon to be abandoned by the rest of his companions. In our current experience of physical isolation, therefore, I wonder if Holy Week has something new to offer us this year: a rare opportunity to reflect on the kind of loneliness that Jesus felt that night in the Garden. A glimpse of his presence with us, even now—not in spite of the fact that we are isolated, but precisely in the moments when we feel most desperately so.

Jesus expresses his longing to be with us precisely by joining us in our loneliness—by stepping humbly and bravely into the moments when humanity is most despairing.

Thank God for that. Thank God for a love well-acquainted with loneliness and despair—especially in times like this.

— Fr. Javier


For more parish resources and updates during the global pandemic, visit St. Paul’s Connects.

Tags: From the Clergy, Hope for the Journey

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221 Union St., Cary, NC 27511

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Please Note: Our Lobster Rolls and Chicken Meals are made with the following ingredients in our church kitchen.  While every effort is made to avoid cross contamination, we cannot guarantee that there won’t be trace amounts of other foods in the mix.  Thank you for your understanding.

Lobster Roll Mix

  • Lobster Meat
  • Celery
  • Mayo (Dukes brand)
  • Lemon Juice
  • Red Pepper
  • Old Bay
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Broiled Chicken

  • Chicken
  • Cooking spray
  • Herbs
  • Salt
  • Pepper

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Lobster Fest Cary brings the fresh taste of Maine lobster right here to Wake County! The lobsters are pulled out of the water, packed in a cooler truck in Maine and driven overnight to Cary. Dine-In and enjoy a social event or Take Out and make your own event – Live Lobster, Cooked Lobster, Lobster Rolls – you decide! Pre-ordering online (lobsterfestcary.org) is a must, as quantities often run out early in the day, and we hate to disappoint Lobster Lovers.