December 27

We had just visited the archaeological site at Zippori, the capital of

Israel after the Second Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans

in 70 AD.

“When this was a flourishing city, Nazareth was an obscure town on a

nearby hill,” our guide told us.

Now it was time for lunch.  I sat with my family, underneath a photo of

a church.

“I think that’s a church in Nazareth commemorating Mary’s being told

that she was with child.  There are two – one that’s Roman Catholic,

the other is Eastern Orthodox.  I went there once with a Christian

friend.

“That’s not unusual in Israel.  Two trips ago, I went to this remote

town called Cana to see the church where Jesus performed his first

miracle – turning the water into wine.

“This was the parable at a Catholic mass I attended in my legislative

district. The water was for the ritual washing of hands before a meal. 

‘Jews still do that today,’ I told the congregation.”

“And I decided to visit the site when I was here in 2008.”

Lunch over, I walked outside and related my story to our guide.

“You’re in Cana right now,” he responded to my surprise.