My favorite... Rome
We had a lot of great times in Rome. To be honest with you my favorite moments were just the times hanging out with my friends. It amazed me to be able to just sit in the shadow of ancient temples and to be able to laugh together as we ate.
If I were to pick one (or two) places in Rome that were the most amazing I would have to say #2 would be the catacombs. These ancient burial places for early Christians were chilling. Seeing the simple Christian carvings on the walls and seeing the places where some of them were martyred were awe inspiring. My #1 spot would have to be the Mamertine Prison. This ancient prison was a damp, dark, hole in the shadow of the Roman Forum. It was also the site where (according to tradition) both the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter were held before they were executed. It was in this dark room that Paul probably wrote many of his letters. He sat here in chains next to other prisoners, guards, and in filth writing about joy and hope. A bronze plaque hangs on the wall recounting how both of the apostles shared their faith with the guards and how they used the simple well to baptize them. This 'death row' prison was almost always empty, and we were able to spend some personal time there reading Paul's letters and reflecting on how passionately he followed Christ. This little prison - a symbol of obedience and simple faith - stood in drastic contrast to the lavish Vatican. I found it refreshing and challenging to be in such an important spot, but I also felt disappointment and heartbreak for the other tourists who popped in and out of the room unaware of its significance.
If I were to pick one (or two) places in Rome that were the most amazing I would have to say #2 would be the catacombs. These ancient burial places for early Christians were chilling. Seeing the simple Christian carvings on the walls and seeing the places where some of them were martyred were awe inspiring. My #1 spot would have to be the Mamertine Prison. This ancient prison was a damp, dark, hole in the shadow of the Roman Forum. It was also the site where (according to tradition) both the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter were held before they were executed. It was in this dark room that Paul probably wrote many of his letters. He sat here in chains next to other prisoners, guards, and in filth writing about joy and hope. A bronze plaque hangs on the wall recounting how both of the apostles shared their faith with the guards and how they used the simple well to baptize them. This 'death row' prison was almost always empty, and we were able to spend some personal time there reading Paul's letters and reflecting on how passionately he followed Christ. This little prison - a symbol of obedience and simple faith - stood in drastic contrast to the lavish Vatican. I found it refreshing and challenging to be in such an important spot, but I also felt disappointment and heartbreak for the other tourists who popped in and out of the room unaware of its significance.
Reading Paul's Letters
The spot where Peter & Paul were chained & the well used to baptize their guards
Peter & Paul in the prison
Labels: around europe, family story, religion, Rome
1 Comments:
Wow...we didn't even know that was there when we went! We'll just have to go back, I guess. ;o) Man, that would've been cool to see!!
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