- Home
- Blog News
- Our Journey
- Sights and Sounds
- Resources
- Messages
Reflections from the back of the bus - Corinth
21st June, 2009 - Posted by Ursula Stephens -
Corinth!
An hour or so to snooze our way to Corinth lulled by the hum of engine, the heat of midday and the effects of our strenuous morning.
We’ve been joined by two young priests studying in Rome, who sought out our tour. Kay is feeling a bit squeamish this morning - I hope it doesn’t spoil her day.
As the bus edges into the narrow streets of Corinth we can smell the sea - salty, slightly rancid. What is that, I wonder?
The bus squeezes into seemingly impossible spaces as we travel through the ‘new’ Corinth - which has been there for centuries.
What an amazing place! We begin with the museum - where antiquities unearthed by archeologists are carefully preserved. Fantastic specimens, statues, and the minutae of everyday life. -I’m entranced by the tiny clay dolls with movable limbs, figurines of dogs, horses and carts - some little child’s playthings.
Archbishop Mark describes the decline of Nero, from the bright intelligent young student to the vanity of his later years and the ultimate corruption of his reign.
We are reminded of the blessing that is humility.
” Hear then what Yaweh asks of you: to live justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God.”
I think again of Paddy and Bob’s dad - and imagine the conversations we might have had about this holy place.
Through the museum garden we move to the ruins that were hidden for so long - a treasure trove of cultures. Hundreds of pillars and statues, some battered and broken,stand around the museum courtyard and extend to the ancient city beyond.
What we can see are the ruins of streets, temples, baths. On top there are the remains of a byzantine church. We can hear water running from an underground spring. Our guide tells us that there is evidence of a mosque - it is an ancient city continuing to give up its secrets - totally fascinating.
The temperature is nearly 40C as Archbishop Mark, Fr Warwick and Deacons Peter and Paul set up an altar on an ancient stone. We sit in the shade of some trees among the ruins, when Fr Francise comes running - he had left the chalice and hosts on the bus and made a dash in the searing heat to get them.
Fr Francise is acting as our Whip - he counts us on and off the bus at each stop, terrified I think that someone might be forgotten as we wander off like stray sheep!
This Mass is a testimony to the power of communal prayer. It is a very moving experience and we discover that Archbishop Mark leads us gently through the meaning and connection of the two readings. Today’s reading is from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 13:34 where he admonishes them for their lack of communion.
After our mass we wander among the ruins a while accompanied by the sound of four part harmonies from a group of pilgrims from the Ivory Coast. Archbishop Mark connects with them laughing and joking in fluent French! What a delight to behold!
Back on the bus we are indeed weary pilgrims. We read again prayers from our journal, then settle back - each with our own thoughts and impressions - as the bus squeezes its way back down to he main road and we head back to Athens.
As evening falls we gather for an evening meal then up to the rooftop to watch the sunset and the Acropolis in lights!
Tags: Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, footsteps of saint paul, pilgrimage, st paul
Posted on: June 21, 2009
Filed under: Reflections from the Back of the Bus
1 Comment
Pilgrim watcher
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:24 am
Dear Ursula,
Thank you for your wonderful descriptions of your trip so far. I’m really enjoying reading about the detail of your days and the different sites you’re visiting. It’s so hot though! I hope you’re all remembering to drink lots of water. All of those ancient sites sound wonderful although I wonder if sometimes you feel a bit overwhelmed as you go from one to the other. And Mass in the open with a rock for an altar sounds very spiritual and moving. Anyway, thank you again. I very much hope you have the time and the energy to keep posting. I really appreciate it and am sure that many other people in Canberra do also.
God bless and try to stay a bit cool.
Pilgrim watcher
Leave a reply