May 29th, 2013

5/30/2013

It was Jesus' theme day as we drove around the Sea of Galilee. I think most of Christians recognize the names of Chorozain, Capernaum and Bethsaida where Jesus spend most of his ministry. What really struck me is how small the area is. One doesn’t need to travel much to go from one village to another. It looks to me that Jesus was a very domesticated person but still I couldn’t help thinking that what he did here was for the sake of the whole world. As we travelled around I thought about these three inconspicuous villages like something similar to the three springs of the Jordan River from which water flows that brings life to the whole Rift Valley. The tree villages are called sometimes the Evangelical Triangle. As I mentioned it is a small area but it is packed with events. Here Jesus cured the centurion's servant. The centurion said the well known words we repeat at every Mass: "Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof but only say a word and my seven will be well again>"

Sea of Galilee

Ruins of Chorozain of which Jesus said that was so resistant to his teaching

Synagogue in Chorozain

Chorozain

As we continued travelling we visited some other churches commemorating some events from Jesus’ life. The church of Peter’s Primacy which recalls the day when Jesus after his Resurrection three times asked Peter whether he loved him and where he entrusted him with care for the future Church community. I enjoyed the location of the church that nearly touches the water of the Sea like that day when Jesus cooked fish for his disciples.

Church of Peter's Priamacy

Inside the church of Peter's Primacy

People praying at the rock where Jesus cooked fish for his Apostles

"Courtyard" of the church of Peter's Primacy

List of Popes from St Peter on. By the way then need to update the list as Pope Francis is not there yet

It was also an uplifting experience to pray at the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is remembered. I was expecting a much bigger church but I love the way the windows overlook the Sea giving the same view Jesus’ listeners had when he was preaching and I found the church focused on its theme. The Beatidudes are really proclaimed by the architecture of the church. I read the Mathew’s passage of the Sermon being immersed in the atmosphere of the place.

Church of Beatitudes

Beatitudes in Latin in the church

Inside the church of Beatitudes

View from the courtyard of the church of Beatitudes

Garden surrounding the church of Beatitudes

I also found a visit to Capernaum a refreshing experience. Capernaum was the hometown of Peter. Here it was found that an early Christian church was built on a house which is believed to be Peter’s. The modern church preserves the old site as the focus point but what struck me was that it was house of Jesus as well. He was coming here and I can’t imagine Peter treating his Master as a passing visitor. Here Jesus also cured Peter’s mother in law. I reflected that after so many centuries Jesus still leaves in this church as the Eucharist is preserved here.

Going to the hometown of Jesus and Peter

Synagogue built on the spot where the old Synagogue was located. In the old synagogue Jesus prayed and preached a lot

Inside the church build on the top of Peter's home

The walls of Peter's home

With the host -St Peter

The new church in Capernaum

The final boat journey through the Sea of Galilee was not only fun but a prayer
too because how not to pray when one thinks about Jesus crossing this Sea many times with his disciples.