Stone from Galilee

On taking home communion to a parishioner today, and mentioning my planned pilgrimage to Jerusalem, an interesting thing happened.

After been told to wait a moment, the lady went to a cabinet to find something. Asked to hold out my hand, I was presented with a small stone.  “Turn it over she said”. There on the small, smooth stone the word ‘Galilee’ crudely written in pen.

Suddenly moved, I felt tears well up as I felt immediately connected to that ancient place.  Past and present seemed to meet and there seemed to be purpose behind all things.

This small, and in worldly terms, insignificant stone from Galilee, revealing the ancient faith to me: assuring me that I was in the right place and the right time, assuring me that God was present, calling me to discover for myself the ancient and living stones of Palestine and Israel.