January 11, 2003

The Sea of Galilee

[Bethlehem, West Bank] While Bethlehem was under curfew again, I had a great opportunity to visit the Galilee. I had made several attempts to visit the area before, but I was always denied the opportunity by either an Israeli military invasion or a curfew. This time my trip out of Bethlehem beat the soldier's visit in. (During this curfew, soldiers killed a Bethlehem boy and shot several others who were throwing something -- maybe stones or bottles of gas? I'm not sure what these kids were doing that deserved being shot.)

The Galilee is a must for any Christian pilgrimage to Israel. There are a lot of important sites related to the ministry and life of Jesus. Jesus walked on the water of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus fed 5,000 by performing a miracle and multiplying the five loaves and two fish. Jesus offered a meal to his disciples and told Peter to "feed my sheep" on the shore by the sea. Jesus gave an inspiring sermon on the Mount of the Beatitudes. (If you've got access to a Bible, check out Matthew chapters 5 through 7. Even if you're not a Bible reader or maybe have never read the Bible. I think you'll still appreciate its beauty.) Here is part of Jesus' talk, called "The Beatitudes:"

• You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
• You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
• You're blessed when you're content with just who you are -- no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
• You're blessed when you work up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
• You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care - full,' you find yourselves cared for.
• You're blessed when you get your inside world -- your mind and heart -- put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
• You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
• You're blessed when your commitment to c provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

  (from The Message Bible, Eugene H. Peterson)

In the Galilee, I stayed at the Benedictine Monastery at the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes. JZ has a lot of friends there, so they set up a guest room for our visit. We had prayer, messages, and communion services with the monks. (Note: be warned that the morning prayer bell loudly chimes at 5:25am.) We even enjoyed a silent meal with the men, and it was fantastic. I really enjoyed my two day stay at the monastery. If monks were allowed to have girlfriends, I think I wouldn't mind to be one.

One of the most famous mosaics in the world.
At the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes.
Created in the fifth century and discovered only in 1932.

The black basalt Church of the Primacy of St. Peter.
Built on the site where the resurrected Jesus offered a meal to his disciples.
Jesus also told Peter to "feed my sheep" at this location.

Ruins at Capernaum.
Capernaum became Jesus' home after he was driven out of Nazareth.
The synagogue here was built over an earlier one where Jesus probably preached.

Greek Orthodox Church of the Seven Apostles. Sea of Galilee in the background.

The Franciscan Church on the Mount of the Beatitudes.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God"

JZ is the man. Hanging out in Capernaum.