Dear St. Martin's Family and Friends,
Peace, Shalom, Salaam,
Today we headed out for an overnight in the Galilee - it was another day
up and out early. We loaded up the van and headed north through Israel
past Cana and Raini (Nael's home village) to Nazareth. Nazareth itself
was a very modern city with apartment buildings, shops, and restaurants
(there were signs for KFC everywhere). Our first stop was the Greek
Orthodox, St. Gabriel's Church (Church of the Annunciation). The Greek
Orthodox believe that Gabriel came to visit Mary at a well. This church
actually has a well in the back. The ceilings and walls were covered
with beautiful, vibrantly colored frescos, that told many of the stories
of Jesus' life. It would be easy to behave in church as a child with so
many beautiful things to look at! George (our guide) gave us candles to
light and we had time to pray. The Orthodox churches are filled with
beauty and candles. Next, we headed to the Roman Catholic Church of the
Annunciation. If you're not Greek Orthodox you believe that the angel
Gabriel came to visit Mary at her house. This church is built over the
remains of a stone cave/house that is believed to be Mary's. The main
floor is a very spacious, modern church with beautiful artwork and
stained glass. There is a giant hole in the floor at the center of the
church. It looks down on a smaller chapel. We walked downstairs to view
the chapel and behind the altar is Mary's House. We were allowed to go
inside. In the house is a small marble altar with these words inscribed
on it: Verbum caro HIC factum est - The Word became flesh - HERE. We
read from Luke of Gabriel's visit and softly sang O Come, O Come
Emmanuel. It is overwhelming to think about the word HIC or HERE. Right
HERE we we were standing today.
From Nazareth we headed to the Sea of Galilee. This northern edge is
where Jesus spent most of his time during his ministry and where he
performed most of his miracles. The weather was mild and sunny. Our
first stop was a ride on a Jesus Boat. We took a boat (like the type the
fisherman would have used in Jesus time) out onto the Sea of Galilee.
From here we could see Tiberias, Capernaum, and the Mount of the
Beatitudes. The countryside is green with rolling hills that roll right
down to the sea. There are olive, fig, date, and citrus trees growing.
It is one of the most beautiful places you could imagine. We read from
the Bible of Jesus calming the storm and walking on water. It was
relaxing, meditative time for all of us. When we got back to shore,
Henry (our driver) drove us through the countryside up to the Mount of
the Beatitudes. Here we were treated to a wonderful lunch at a
Franciscan Monastery. They served us tilapia or St. Peter's Fish as they
call it here. Tilapia is what the disciples fished the Sea of Galilee
for! We were also treated to espresso before walking over to the Chapel.
It is a small domed shaped chapel with stained glass listing all the
Beatitudes (or happinesses). We read from the Sermon on the Mount and
sang. Nael asked the question, "What did we need to do to become these
things; poor in spirit, meek, hungering for justice, merciful, pure in
heart, peacemakers, and persecuted because of righteousness"? We drove
down the Mount to St. Peter's Primacy on the shore of the sea. There is
a church here to mark the place where Jesus passed his "powers" on the
St. Peter. Then to Capernaum, where there are the remains of a fishing
village, where Jesus would have lived. Our last stop of the day was the
Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves, where Jesus fed the 5000.
After we toured the Chapel we walked down to an outdoor altar to
celebrate the Eucharist. It was a fitting place for us to celebrate the
Eucharist together. The backdrop to the altar was the Sea of Galilee and
as it started to get dark we could see the lights of Tiberias in the
distance.
After our Eucharist we were off to the Peniel YMCA in Tiberias (Peniel
means face of god in Hebrew). If all the Y's were as nice as this one no
one would stay in hotels! Here we had a wonderful, abundant meal
together; the group of 4, the 3 leaders, and Nael, Henry, and George. We
laughed together, played games, and told stories. It was a great night.
I think we all agree that the Sea of Galilee is a really special place -
HERE you feel close to Jesus.
Happy Thanksgiving and much love,
From the Group of 4 (Allie, Jared, Jordan, and Olivia) and Elizabeth,
Dan, and Father Earle
The pilgrims pose in front of the
facade of the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth.
We took a one-hour boat ride on the Sea of Galilee,
reading about Jesus calming the storm.
Olivia reads the beginning of the Sermon of the
Mount (Matthew 5 - "Blessed are . . .") on the Mount of the Beatitudes.
The Church of the Primacy of St. Peter is beside
the Sea of Galilee, where we ourselves enjoy being by the Sea.
We look through the ruins of the "White Synagogue"
of Capernaum, which was built approximately 300 years after Jesus' time
at Capernaum.
