Day 4: A Great Day in Galilee

Day Four – Sunday, November 11, 2018. Around the Sea of Galilee

Today was a great day! The weather was perfect throughout the day, and God arranged some marvelous sunshine rays and a gorgeous sunset. 

We began the day with a drive up to Caesarea Philippi north of the Sea of Galilee. It is very close to the Lebanon border, and near Mt. Hermon, which is mentioned in the Bible a number of times.

It was at Caesarea Philippi that Jesus asked his disciples, “who do they say that I am, and “who do you say that I am?” along with Peter’s witness, “You are the Christ.” It has variants; including where Jesus says you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church. (See Mark 8, Matthew 16, Luke 9). In addition to its Biblical importance, it is a beautiful spot with a dramatically rising cliff, the headwaters of the Jordan River, and the site of a pagan temple dedicated to Pan, Zeus and Augustus. When it is the rainy season, there is a gushing waterfall as well. 

From there we headed back south to the Mount of Beatitudes. After a brief look at the 8-side church, which features the eight Beatitudes, we celebrated Mass outside in one of the chapel areas. The gospel, of course, was Matthew 5:1-12, the Beatitudes. We used the first reading from the readings of the universal church this weekend, about Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. (I Kings 17:8-6) which tied in with the visit to Elijah’s cave at Stella Maria in the Carmel Mountains yesterday. The stay in this wonderful place was a little too short, but much appreciated by all. There is now a large guesthouse there. I might have to inquire about using that for lodging in the future. I’m afraid it is booked up long ahead of time.

Lunch was not far away. It is traditional to eat St. Peter’s Fish on a trip to Galilee. I’m sure there is a real name for this fish but I don’t know it. It is usually served with head and tail still on, but some of our group ordered it filleted. 

After lunch we went to Tabgha, also known as Heptapegon, which means “seven springs.” It is an area with seven water springs. This particular site commemorates the feeding of the multitude, the only miracle that appears in all four gospels and is actually told six times. This spot has been reverenced as such since the third century, but one cannot really say that this was the actual spot. The church features mosaics going back to 480. At the base of the altar is a famous depiction of two fish and a basket of bread where four loaves are seen. The fifth would be on the altar itself.

Our next event is a great highlight - boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. At many sites we read the scripture connected with that place, so here we read passages, first from the multiplication of the loaves, since we had little time to do it there, and then what happens immediately after in several accounts: Jesus walking on the water. We also read of the calming of the storm. The ship is in the shape of those which would have sailed 2000 years ago. The Sea was as smooth as glass, and as you will see, the sky was wonderful for us. 

We continued on to Capharnaum, where Jesus lived for a time. It was also the home of Peter, and that house has been very likely identified. An ancient synagogue is there as well, built over the synagogue Jesus would have taught in. (Mark 1). We were able to wander the site for over 30 minutes, taking in the way people would have lived as far as making olive oil and fishing, praying and living. 

Our final stop of the day is a place called The Primacy of Peter. See John 21, the post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to seven of his disciples. Here also was the questioning by Jesus, asking Peter three times, “do you love me.” Here we can actually enter the Sea of Galilee, and many of our people did.

In the evening, after supper, several of us wandered around Tiberius for a while, and then along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Its beauty stays with us.