News-Record.com

THE OLD CITY, JERUSALEM--There is much talk about the significance of Jerusalem particularly in terms of three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Yet I've often wondered why people - even entire cultures - cannot currently appreciate their connection to the Old City without fighting for control of it. A fight that is tied to history. A past that cannot be released.

And then I went to the Old City.

King David's Tower and the outside view of the Wall Mount

Within the walls of the Wall Mount

I walked the Wall Mount, traveled through the Armenian and Jewish quarters, visited four churches and eight stations of Christ. I lit a candle for my beloved who passed. When I sat in front of Jesus' tomb time stood still and not a muscle moved.

Jesus' tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The Old City is alive with energy from the past that you can feel in the present. It's as thick as blood and as deep as its cavernous chambers. It can make passion for connection burn beyond rationality.

Near the Eastern/Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic areas of the Holy Sepulchre

It took being there to gain that speck of insight.