Holy places , thin places

       If one were to travel to Rome ( and I hope I will some day ), you might be overwhelmed by the majesty, the opulence, even perhaps to the testimonial it is to faith of those who created it.  But I am not so sure how holy it is perceived. The seat of a quasi-governmental religious establishment, it speaks to a bureaucracy bar none.  It speaks to a history of torture, holy wars, sin, cover ups and court intrigue. I am not sure Jerusalem has nearly as much.

         Yet, here in this passage from Luke, Jesus proclaims Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! Ouch!  In another section of scripture when Jesus was conversing with the Samaritan woman ( John 4:21 ) at Jacob's well, Jesus  “Woman, believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.

        Where is there a suitable place to worship?  Rome seems harsh and cold, Jerusalem kills the prophets so we are left to wonder aren't we? Where is the holy place?

        First, I do not want to really diminish the authenticity of holiness that can be found in Rome or Jerusalem. But the true place of holiness starts within ones self.  Beyond that, the thinnest places are not necessarily ones that are earmarked for such purposes.  Jesus went into the dessert to pray, to commune with his Father.  I find the mountains are especially peaceful where I can feel a connectedness to the earth, the dirt, the trees and flowing waters. It seems to me you can distracted from God or you can have the essence of love and God's peace in your heart. You may not find that anywhere but in your heart and someplace that allows you to listen and hear God clearly.

Luke 13:31-35

 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’