Today was another action packed day in the rain but well worth every minute. We spent the day in The Galilee. Until this trip, I just thought The Galilee was the sea but it is actually a region of Northern Israel close to the border of Jordan and Lebanon (we could actually see into Lebanon). We first headed into the Golan Heights to Caesarea Philippi which is where the River Jordan begins in Israel and goes all the way to the Dead Sea by way of the Sea of Galilee.
Caesarea Philippi is where the River Jordan begins in Israel. As we stood at the river looking up at the big cave, Father West read Matthew 16 when Jesus said to Peter "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it." There is a pretty strong possibility it was on the very spot where we stood that these words were spoken as the cave above the River Jordan is where ancients believed was the entrance to Hades.
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| The spring where the water for the River Jordan comes from the ground. The water is so pure you can drink it. |
On the 5th day of the 6 Day War in 1967, Israel took back the Golan Heights from Syria. Over the years, in attempts for peace, the Golan Heights would be a bargaining chip by the Syrians but the Israelis refuse to give up the land. Prior to the Israeli victory, the hillsides of the Golan Heights were full of Syrian bunkers like this one. The Syrians would use vehicles (especially school buses) as target practice. So to provide some protection, Israel lined the streets with eucalyptus trees. After our visit to Caesarea Philippi, we return the same way we came as our guide said the last few times they continued into the Golan Heights to make their way through the other side of The Galilee, they could hear bombs exploding in Syria. Good decision on their part to stop going that direction!
We made our way to the Mount of Beatitudes where we celebrated mass. From here, Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount to thousands stretching from the hillside down to the Sea of Galilee. The Church of the Beatitudes was designed by Antnio Barluzzi and are you ready for this...paid for by Mussolini. The design is neo-Byzantine octagonal with a wall dedicate to each of the beatitudes.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy
Blessed are the clean of heart, for the will see God
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
For lunch today, we had St. Peter's Fish. Okay, I admit it, I had no idea what that was but it describes an event in Matthew 17. While Peter was visiting Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee, he was asked if Jesus paid the temple tax. Jesus said that as God's Son he had no obligation to pay the tax. But to avoid snubbing others, Jesus had Peter go to the sea and cast a net. He was then to take the first fish in the net and pay the tax with the money in the fish's mouth. So now restaurants around the Galilee serve up a meal of St. Peter's Fish to pilgrims...and yes, they put a shekel in the mouth of one fish on the table.
After lunch we made our way to the Sea of Galilee for a boat ride that was the highlight of the trip so far for me in spite of the constant rain. All the places we've visited so far were presumed to be places Jesus was or in the general vicinity but the Sea of Galilee is one place we know 100% He was. We know He was in a boat (much like the one we were in) on the sea and we know He stood on the shoreline after the Resurrection and called to the disciples fishing.
Father read from Luke 5 where Jesus told the weary fishermen to cast out their nets after a night of catching no fish. Simon said "Master we have worked through the night without catching anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to tear.
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| We were on a boat like this one...ours was name The Faith Boat appropriately. |
My new friends (and adopted grandparents), Ben & Jerri. I just heart them...they are just the cutest.
After the time on the sea, we went to the Benedictine Church of Multiplication. This is location where Jesus turned two fish and five loaves of bread into enough food to feed thousands. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus spoke a blessing and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples to set before the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. (Luke 9)
When the original church was built, Egyptian mosaic artisans where brought in to lay the floors because they were renown for their craftsmanship. As they were Egyptian, they knew Egyptian themes and therefore they laid a mosaic of a Nilometer (a device used to measure the depth of the Nile River), lotus flowers and other images not native to Israel.
There have been similar discoveries throughout the region. Clearly these artisans made some money through word of mouth!
Under the alter, is a rock that is said to mark the spot where Jesus performed the miracle.
Full disclosure...I took the pics from the Internet as for some crazy reason I deleted the pictures before I could download them (oy!) But I picked photos that looked like exactly what I saw.
Separated by a fence is the Franciscan church of Peter's Primacy (aka Mensa Christi - Table of Christ). This is the spot where Jesus appeared to His disciples after the Resurrection and from the shore of the Sea of Galilee told them to cast their nets on the other side and they pulled in nets full of fish. They came ashore with their catch and ate with Jesus.
When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," He answered, "You know I love You." Jesus replied, "Feed My lambs.". Jesus asked a second time, "Simon son of John, do you love Me?" "Yes, Lord," he answered, "You know I love You." Jesus told him, "Shepherd My sheep." Jesus asked a third time, "Simon son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, "Do you love Me?" "Lord, You know all things." he replied. "You know I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep." (John 21)
Full disclosure again...the pics I took from my friend, Mark, as for some crazy reason I deleted the pictures before I could download them...again (oy vey!)
Next stop was Capernaum. Jesus lived here three years with Peter in Peter's mother-in-law's home. It is in Capernaum where Jesus recruited his disciples, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4).
This is the house of Peter's mother-in-law where Jesus actually lived. This, like the Sea of Galilee, is one the few spots beyond certainy is a place where Jesus was truly present. Very powerful knowing you are just feet away from His home on earth for three years.
This is a special site for Jews as well as there are the ruins of a 4th century synagogue.
As archaeologists were uncovering the ruins, they found limestone reliefs that contained the Star of David and a menorah.
Our final stop of the day was Magdala to visit the ruins of a 1st century synagogue where it is certain Jesus taught. The discovery of this special place was by accident as work was being done to build a guest house (hotel) for pilgrims. In addition to discovering the synagogue, an entire Jewish town was discovered. It is estimated that only 10% of the town has been uncovered.
In the location where Jesus once taught, there is now Duc In Altum (Put out into the deep) which is a place for worship and prayer. While we were there, Eucharistic Adoration was taking place.
Layla tov...I'm beat!
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