Tuesday 19th November 2013
The Sea of Galilee
"Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. For he had healed many." Mark 3:7-10
Today started early as we had a boat tour booked for 9 am. The weather is a beautiful 25 degrees and clear (sorry England!). Our boat trip took us out on the Sea of Galilee, which has many names and resembled more of a lake than a sea, being 21km long and 12km wide. But this is the scenery that is the backdrop to so many of the stories that we have read and know so well. Much of the scenery is unchanged and it felt both exhilarating and humbling to sit and watch the shores from a boat as Jesus himself must have once done.
It was along these shores that Jesus called to Peter, and to James and John and Andrew to follow him. We had a time of prayer on board and some silence really to soak up what we were seeing. It was a very special time and difficult to put into words. On those waters Jesus walked, and here I was looking into them wondering if I too would have the courage to step out if called.
Capernaum
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. (Mark 2:1-3)
After our boat trip we arrived at Ginnosar and took the coaches for the short journey to Capernaum. This was a significant place in Jesus’ ministry where he lived with Peter and his family. Now all that remains are some of the archaeological ruins. In the Gospels Capernaum is the place where Jesus worked many miracles including the healing of the Centurion’s servant and raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead. You can see from the remains a tightly compacted network of buildings. Clusters of about 5 rooms (each being a home for a family) surround a courtyard, many of these clusters with little narrow pathways between them. One of these has an octagonal wall around it in the early style of ‘house churches’ which has led to the idea of this being Peter’s house. Above it is a new octagonal church suspended on pillars. Also at Capernaum are the remains of the Synagogue which Jesus would have attended and preached in. The Synagogue’s main prayer room still has its ‘Moses Seat’ from which the scrolls would have been read, and beautifully decorated columns which would have supported the upper gallery where the women would have prayed.
Tabgha
"Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish." (Mark 6:41-44)
After Capernaum we travelled to Tabgha. This is the spot widely believed to be the ‘quiet place’ where Jesus performed the multiplication of the loaves and the fish for the 5000 (Mt 14). Although no-one can be sure, the site is used as a reminder and a recognition that somewhere along these shores in a town just like this, the miracle happened. Today the Church of the Multiplication marks the place. It is a very simple church, but a prominent reminder of the message of the miracle – we may not have much but even the little we give God can use for his glory. We were encouraged to think too about how the message of the gospel is ‘multiplied’ and fruitful in our lives.
After which we stopped for lunch – a busy morning! We enjoyed some of ‘Peter’s Fish’ which are offered in the local Galilean restaurants and are caught locally. All part of the Pilgrim experience!
Mount of Beatitudes
"Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:1-2)
Although the exact location of the famous teaching from Matthew’s gospel is unknown, it would have been on a hillside on the Northern shores of the Sea and near Capernaum. This site has some incredible views and is very peaceful. We celebrated Mass here as a pilgrim group. Bishop John Sherrington led us in the celebration and during his homily encouraged us to ‘put on the armour of Christ’.
The Primacy of St Peter
"Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment round him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred metres." (John 21:7-8)
Here stands a church beside the sea, where it is remembered that Jesus gives authority to Peter to be the rock on which the Church is built and where Peter is told to feed Jesus’ sheep. It is also the location for the story in John 21 when the resurrected Christ reveals himself to the fishermen and where Peter three times states his love for the Lord after his denial at the trial. The place is simple and so is the church. We took some time to walk in the waters and to pray for Pope Francis and his ministry as well as for the whole Christian church worldwide.
Our day concluded with a coach drive around the lake, which as the sun was setting was beautiful and then back to the hotel for some dinner and much-needed rest.
