Galilee continued - July 14-15-16 reflections

Our time in Galilee, although wonderful and prayerful, was very busy. We rose early each day in our place by the Sea of Galilee. The kosher breakfast was nourishing and fast. Morning prayer was often the same! Off to the first site where this man named Jesus was calling.

This picture was from the boat and back towards the Mount of Beatitudes. The sunrise was spectacular - the water was cool and refreshing after a hot day on our pilgrim journey

This church honors Jesus teaching of the beatitudes and the church and property offer a different vision than a simple mountain where Jesus went off with his disciples. This was and is a wonderful place to pray and reflect and realize that as we stand in these holy places of Jesus human life we are asked to make beautiful the lives of all today.

Crossen and Reed in their book "Excavating Jesus," suggest that this is actually Capernaum and one of the ten most significant discoveries that tie the biblical story to the actual site. The discoveries regarding a first century synagague and a home that is very likely Perer's home create images in the minds of this troupe of pilgrims that will forever effect how we hear the Gospel.

This is Peter's house - first century habits and some signs attributed to the Herodian and 2nd temple period have been positively identified. This is a close moment and we found a great place to read the gospel story about the healing of Peter's mother-in-law.

This is identified as Jesus' boat. That is unlikely, however this is a boat from the first century that was discovered at the Sea of Galilee in 1986. These and other discoveries have helped the Gospels come alive again for me

Our time in Galilee is perhaps the high point for me so far. We have been able to swim in this wonderful water. We have walked on the hills and entered the Jordan. My images of these places when I hear again the stories proclaimed will now be different and more alive. God has blessed Diane and me with this opportunity and we will try to bring this special place home and alive in our hearts.

We will also bring home the life of opression and pain as the Jews and Arabs continue to find hate easier than love. The story is long and complicated, but the pain being inflicted on the vulnerable is having an effect that will last a lifetime and I believe that God is asking me to bring these images home also. We pray daily for a resolution to this struggle as we hear the stories from so many wonderful people.

Peace and blessings,

Frank