'Life-changing' Jerusalem trip was cornerstone for new 'Jesus' book

By Mark Pattison | Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON--Jesuit Father James Martin today has a hard time believing that he initially turned down a suggestion to go to Jerusalem as source material for his newest book, "Jesus: A Pilgrimage."

(CNS photos)

"Initially, I didn't want to go because I thought my own mental images of Gospel passages and stories that I'd prayed over for years and years would be supplanted by touristy locales," Father Martin said.
But in heeding a fellow Jesuit's advice, Father Martin discovered his Jerusalem visit "provided a great structure for the book: a little narrative, a little scriptural exegesis and some reflections."