Around the Sea of Galilee

 Today, we really saw the sun, at least in the morning. I even broke out the sunglasses! We all climbed aboard the bus at 9am for our scheduled ride on a boat somewhat like a first century boat, but much larger.

Sign in Hebrew, Arabic and English

The boats and more are part of Kibbutz Ginnosa’s "Yigal Allon Center." The Center sees Israeli society as simultaneously Zionist-Jewish and equal-democratic. The Center strives for peace and is inspired by Yigal Allon’s values and legacy. One sign of that purpose is that the signs I saw at the Center and down by the boats were in Hebrew, English and Arabic. This tells me they welcome all Israeli citizens. Many places here in Israel don’t. The Center has programs that bring young people on the different sides together so they become friends. This is just an observation of mine and not really part of our day. But it’s an example of something good being done in the face of real injustice.

Anyway, the boat ride was fun. We went out to the middle of the lake and had our Morning Prayer service right there in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. After this, we went to Tabga, the place where the scene at the end of John might have place—the fish breakfast and the reconciliation between Jesus and Peter. There’s a rather contemporary church commemorating the event.  

While we were there, Liz and I took off our shoes and socks and waded into the Sea of Galilee!

Our next stop was Capharnum—the Bible calls it Capernaum—the home town of Peter and several of the disciples. We saw the ruins of what almost certainly was Peter’s mother-in-law’s house. Close by were the ruins of a sequence of synagogues. There was, of course, a church built above the ruins to commemorate that location.

Then there was lunch—and we were hungry! Tanureen Galilee Resaurant was the place and the food was phenomenal! Almost all of us had a whole St. Peter’s fish—tilapia—It was better than any tilapia I have ever eaten! 

Our next stop was the spot where the Sermon on the Mount took place—the mountain of the Beatitudes. While we were there, we spent some time contemplating which of the beatitudes held our attention and how might God be calling us to use our various gifts. This was helpful space for me to ponder the question I brought with me: “What now?” The beatitude that caught my attention was “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Our last stop, (and by now my feet were hurting and my back ached— the old gray mare, she ain’t what she used to be!) was the place where the feeding of the 5000 might have happened. There was a church there, too, and I took a look but went back to the bus before the others to do a little writing…I think a poem might be in the works…

We then headed back to the hotel and celebrated a wonderful informal Eucharist near the lake—that was a real treat! We used to have these informal services pretty frequently back before COVID, but none recently in either of the St. George’s churches where I have served/attended. I had almost forgotten what they were like, and this one was special! 

Then it was time to get ready for dinner. Liz and I were getting ready when, suddenly there was a knock on the door. It was her prodigal suitcase! Hallelujahs were said and we both went to dinner happy!

After dinner, we all walked down to St. Andrew’s Chapel—part of the Church of Scotland—for a wonderful informal concert given by our own Ana Hernandez who has been coordinating the music on this pilgrimage.  After walking back to the hotel, I checked the number of step I walked—over 12,000 today. No wonder my feet are crying out!

We leave here for Bethlehem tomorrow.  A two hour drive and our first experience of a checkpoint as we go through one of the “barrier walls” into the West Bank.

Here’s a link to more of today’s pictures:  https://share.icloud.com/photos/034TITPphMiMIh1hXP2OWAlXw