The Cenacle

Pope Francis just came back from the Holy Land

1)    Inviting the two leaders to come to Rome & pray

2)    Praying at the dividing wall.

3)    Yad Vashem  "O Adam, where are you?"

4)    Mass in “The Cenacle”  Latin from cena – dinner. The Upper Room

 Upper Room on Mount Zion – just outside old city of Jerusalem.

Mt. Zion:  Catholic Cemetery (Oskar Shindler), Dormition Abbey, Tomb of David, Cenacle

Cenacle:  Last Supper – Gathered after Ascension – Pentecost – Sent Forth

 Holy Father – Cenacle speaks of:

1)    Service – the Washing of the Feet. Follow Jesus example of love. To serve the poor, sick and the outcast.

2)    Sacrifice – every Mass, Jesus offered Himself. So too, we can offer our lives, our work, our joys and sorrows. Offer it up! A spiritual sacrifice.

3)    Friendship – no longer servants but friends. To become a friend of the Lord Jesus – he is our friend – never alone – do not be afraid.

4)    Promise to Return – I will not leave you orphans. He will bring us to His Father’s house.

5)    Betrayal – by our sins, we betray Jesus.

6)    Fraternity, Harmony & Peace – From the Eucharist and from the Holy Spirit.

7)    New Family – church, a great family. WE find hope to keep moving forward, amid all the challenges and problems of life.

 Upper Room – almost impossible to have Mass there today. Only 2 times a year allowed: Holy Thursday and Pentecost. Special permission for the Pope. I visited Cenacle but offered Mass next door – in Dormition Abbey.

But as I always tell you, you do not have to travel to Mount Zion to find this – here in our Cenacle, here in our Upper Room, in the Sacraments, in one another, gathered in prayer with the Mother of Jesus, we receive what we need – so that WE can go forth! Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth!