I kept asking myself: Why? Why am I living this situation once again?
During the first days, I felt a lot of frustration, pain… I even have to admit that deep inside my heart, there was some anger.

My heart was becoming overwhelmed, filling with fear and a lack of consolation. I felt a heavy weight beginning to rest on my shoulders. I started to sense that I no longer had the strength to carry this cross alone.
—And really, who can carry it alone?

I came to your feet. Once again…
I came with so much misery in my heart and in my mind… I had nothing left to pray, except to ask you for answers or explanations.

For a moment, I felt you call me once more by my name, “María and José”—as if you were also asking me to go to them.

I kept silent and began to think of the Holy Family, of Mary and Joseph. Being far from home isn’t easy these days…
Then I heard an answer: “Here is our Son.” Through Mary and Joseph, I realized I was discovering you anew…

“Your heart finds its rest here, where you will receive the consolation you need.” Those words began to settle in my heart.
Why should I be afraid if you are with me? Not even a single leaf falls from a tree without your will.

I left the bunker, and as the hours went by, it was time again to go into the protected areas.

I entered the bunker. You were there.
I knelt down and, with humility, asked you to reveal the truth to me, because in my heart, understanding, trust, and faith were becoming clouded.

Reveal the truth to me, Jesus. Let me see as you see.

Magdala is a place where you can experience the Eucharist closer than you could ever imagine. It is a face-to-face encounter so deep, almost unreal. It is an overflowing love.

Suddenly, my prayers stopped being questions or complaints… and they became words of gratitude:

Thank you for letting me feel safe when I am with you.
Thank you because what you want is to have me here with you.
Thank you because I can pray for all those who right now cannot pray.
Thank you for the people with whom I am sharing this situation.
Thank you for this Lent that brings me to share in your suffering.
Thank you for making me humble.
Thank you because in you I find freedom.
Thank you because even though the whole world is at war, there is peace in our hearts.

Thank you for the situations that lead us to long for you.

And this is who you are, Jesus: generous in your mercy. You took my weakness and turned it into prayer.

Keep me from forgetting these moments of intimacy with you. I want you forever in my heart. You dwell even in my misery, and you never abandon me.

Today I understand that living in the Holy Land also means living in the land of my own heart, with everything that is inside it. Today you teach me that I must wait without despair. Today I accept that these situations are part of the path toward my holiness.

Magdala is a little piece of heaven here on earth: in a bunker, in a chapel, by the lake, or in the people.

Thank you, Magdala, because there is no better place to live through a war than here, at your feet.

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