How an ordinary person awakens to life as prayer. Continued from yesterday . . .

Two Muslim drivers picked me up early one spring morning at the Windsor Palace Hotel, crammed in among the once regal waterfront buildings along Alexandria’s bustling Corniche. On this northern coast of Egypt, Alexander the Great had mapped out one of the ancient world’s most important ports, linking Europe to Africa, and beyond, to the mysteries of Asia. Here, Cleopatra once entertained Marc Antony in her palace, and the great rabbi, Philo, once taught the Hebrew Scriptures. Here, too, Jesus may have played in the streets after fleeing the wrath of Herod with his parents, Joseph and Mary. Clement, Origen, and Athanasius taught the faith and formed vibrant and courageous disciples in the early years of Christianity.

Egypt. Land of the Pharaohs. Egypt. Land of slavery, death, and the desperate pursuit of life. Egypt. Land of exodus. I wondered what this land might hold for me.

More tomorrow . . .