Sunday 14 April - What a day in the Holy Land!

An unbelievable day!

Tiberias

My room mate and I had an early start to the day - up at 4.30am for a walk along the Sea of Galilee (also known as Lake Galilee or Lake Gennesaret) to watch the sun rise! 
To be in the area where Jesus performed so many miracles - magical! 

Israel is a place all people of faith should visit during their life.

An outline of Lake Galilee on the shoreline. It has a depth of about 43m and is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth being over 211 m below sea level. The Jordan River flows through it from north to south.

Afterwards we explored the local area and found a beautiful renovated old and intimate church.

Next stop - Capernaum the centre of Jesus' teaching and healing and home to Peter the apostle.

The house of St Peter

The inner circle is an octagon. This was a symbol for Christians  of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the formation of the New Covenant. 

The central eight sided room shown below was used for Christian worship. Archaeologists determined that this was Peter's house as they found prayers written on pottery asking for healing and mentioning the house of Peter. The house was owned by Peter's mother-in-law, but as women had no status, when Peter married he became the head of the house.

How amazing to think that Peter and Jesus have walked on these stony paths and were present in this place!

Ruins of houses made from basalt about 15 metres away. These houses were partly  buried into the ground.

The synagogue at Capernaum built in the fourth century on the foundation of the temple which existed at the time of Jesus.

Mass at the Church of the Primacy of Peter, Tabgha

where Jesus called the first disciples. Jesus saw two boats pulled up on the beach ...Jesus got into one of the boats - it belonged to Simon and asked these fishermen to put out their nets ...they caught such a large number of fish that their nets were about to break. (Luke 5)

Jesus challenged Peter with the words 'Do you really love me, feed my sheep.' This was the beginning of the journey to Rome for Peter.

A beautiful setting for an outdoor Mass!

Statue of Jesus and Peter "Feed my sheep"

Our journey then took us to the shores of Galilee for a reflective cruise and prayer on the Lake. Moving slowly across the lake and listening to the lapping of the waters against the side of the boat it was easy to understand why Jesus took the opportunity to escape from the crowds into this peaceful environment. I wondered... 'How often did Jesus feel the need or indeed have the opportunity to experience this peace?'

The type of wooden boat on which we cruised the waters of Galilee. 

Nearby is the town of Magdala, where Mary Magdalen lived.

Our next stop was up the narrow 'windy' road  (a slightly hair raising ride) leading to Mount Tabor and the Church of the Transfiguration, where Jesus revealed his divinity to Peter, James and John. (Matthew 17)

A magnificent church was built on this site in the Byzantine era of the 4th Century by St Helena. The church was destroyed in the late 12th century and rebuilt by the Franciscans between 1919 and 1924. The church has three chapels : one for Jesus (with a magnificent mosaic), one for Moses and one for Elijah.

Chapel of Elijah- confronting the Baal prophets

Chapel of Moses - receiving the Ten Commandments

The magnificent view from the top of Mount Tabor

Back in the taxis for the crazy ride down the 'windy' road to ...

Nazareth

Basilica of the Annunciation 

This is the largest church in the Middle East built at the place where Mary said 'Yes' to Angel Gabriel. The dome of the Basilica is an upside down lily, a flower which is a sign of purity and the flower associated with Mary. 

The inside of the dome

The inside walls of the church and the wall surrounding the church are covered in beautiful mosaics and art works of Mary from around the world.

Mosaic from Australia

 6pm approached and the pilgrims gathered to pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary as the bells tolled (and they were VERY loud) for the Angelus. It was a challenge! 

Cana!