It has been really hard going through all of the pictures (over 1000 in all) and trying to decide what I want to remember. This trip was not like France. When I went through all of those pictures I had endless words to describe where we were and what we saw. This trip was different. We were all affected in different ways by what we saw each day.
Day number two started by a trip to the Mount of Beatitudes...
"Blessed are the poor in spirit..."
I have heard this gospel read for as long as I have been a Catholic...
all of my life.
On this day I was here.
Yes, churches have been erected on all of these sights, making them not at all like they were 2000 years ago so you have to imagine.
Our priest, and spiritual director choose to have mass outside, right on the side of the Mount.
It was breathtaking.
As the gospel was read the words were different.....
"And Jesus came up the side of THIS mountain..."
Yes, we were there on the very mountain when he gave his sermon, and there many tears shed as we realized what was happening in the moment. So glad to share this with so many close friends.
Were we standing in the exact spot?
More than likely not, but did Jesus feet probably walk where we walked, I am convinced they did.
The rustic side of the hill chapel where we attended mass....
I will never forget the feelings of sitting on that hillside.
My dear friend Barbara and her husband Doug....
both lost their spouses years ago and were married last summer. They are 78 and 82 and ran circles around me in the unbearable heat. I should be so lucky ten years from now.
Walking with our spiritual director is my new friend Dora. She lost her husband two months ago. Dora arrived a woman in such pain and left almost healed. The change in her was amazing...it takes a village.
Leaving the hillside behind and heading to our next stop.
The Church of the Primacy of St. Peter.
It was on this spot that Jesus saw the disciples after His resurrection and called out to them as they fished. As Peter recognized Him, he jumped into the water and swam to shore.
And Jesus took the loaves and fish and fed Peter and the disciples on this rock.
And I stood here.
Next stop, The town of Capharnaum.
it was in this town that most of the ministry of Jesus took place.
It is where Jesus called to Simon (Peter) and his brother as they were fishing.
The house of Peter sits in this town and is visible from the side and from the glass floor of the church that sits above it.
The walls of the temple here stand over the original black walls of the temple where Jesus worshipped. That millions of tourist have toured this area and it stands thousands of years later is incredible.
Final stop on this busy day....
the "Man in Galilee" museum.
This boat was recently uncovered and dates back 2000 years.
It was sprayed with foam and lifted carefully out of the water so it did not disintegrate in the process of removal. Do they claim that it was the boat that Jesus and the disciples used? No, but it is similar and the fact that it was unearthed after all this time is hard to wrap your mind around.
Last activity of the day...a ride on the Sea of Galilee in our own wooden boat, complete with a motor.
The hour long voyage was filled with music, laughter, reflection, and a little more bonding as we realized that we were indeed on the same waters as Christ had been.
I still have to pinch myself when I think about the fact that I actually took this trip.
In no part of my imagination did I see myself ever riding on the Sea of Gailiee.
SHALOM friend,
thanks for the ride!
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