Here is where the Lord is: My first pilgirmage to the Holy Land

In the grotto believed to be the place where the Annunciation occurred, the Latin inscription reads: verbum caro hic factum est (the word became flesh here). The gospel of St. John only says, et verbum caro factum est (and the word became flesh) but in that grotto at Nazareth, in that very place where the angel appeared to Mary, it proclaims HIC verbum caro factum est – HERE the word became flesh.

HIC practically characterized my pilgrimage in the Holy Land. In every place we visited, I cannot but say to myself HIC, “Here is where the Lord lived.” In Jericho, “Here is where Jesus changed the life of Zaccheus.” In Nazareth, “Here is where the Lord lived with Mary and Joseph.” In Mt. Tabor, “Here is where the Transfiguration happened.” In the Sea of Galilee, “Here is where Jesus walked on water.” In Jerusalem, “Here is where the Lord cast away the traders from the Temple.” In Calvary, “Here is where Jesus was crucified.”

Here is where the word became flesh, where God humbled himself to become like us in all things but in sin, where Jesus died, was buried and rose again. In the Holy Land, one cannot but be overwhelmed by the Divine Presence, the story of salvation and the mystery of God’s love.

But HIC is not an exclusive privilege of the Holy Land. By conquering death and sin, Jesus promised to be with his people until the end of time. Who can forget these assuring words of Jesus, “Whenever two or three are gathered in my name I am in the midst of them.” He promised to be the vine, where the branches will continue to have life. He promised to be the good shepherd, who knows his sheep and leads them with his voice. He is the bread of life, our nourishment and strength. He sent the Holy Spirit, the light and life of the Church.

My first pilgrimage to Holy Land is now a cherished memory, beautiful and unforgettable, inspiring and over the top. But the fruits of the pilgrimage remains real – the depth of God’s love, the lowliness of God becoming man, the dignity of humanity, the mystery of God’s will and ways. Now more than ever, wherever I am (even as far as 8,795 kilometers from the Holy Land) I say more confidently HIC – “Here is where God is.”