By Katie Patrizio
This weekend’s Gospel is partially set at a place John calls the “Pool of Siloam.” More than a background detail, the pool was essential to Jewish worship—used for ritual washings required before entering the Temple. Because tens of thousands would travel to Jerusalem for major feasts, the pool was built large and located near one of the busiest gates to provide easy access to clean water just below the Temple Mount.
Remarkably, the Pool of Siloam was recently excavated and is now open to visitors. It’s one of several sites still standing from the time of Christ. Yet even this impressive place pales in comparison to climbing Calvary or kneeling inside the empty tomb—moments every Holy Land pilgrim treasures.
For the rest of us, I invite you to join Jesus and Jerusalem: The Geography of Holy Week on Thursday, April 10 at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall. This virtual pilgrimage follows Christ’s final steps through the holy city using photos, maps, and digital reconstructions. Even if you’ve been to Israel, you’ll see it with new eyes. As Fr. Pins said, “I wish I had heard this before I went to the Holy Land!”