HOLY LAND TLM PILGRIMAGE – Day 2: Beatitudes, Fish and Fisherman

Today we went up to the mount where the Lord delivered the greatest sermon ever to be given and recounted, the Sermon on the Mount.

On the way, we went by the opening of the valley that leads up to where Cana is.

It was a variable day, starting in rain.

It is probable that, contrary to art both kitschy and good, the people were on the slopes above the Lord, who spoke upward. Think amphitheater.

We had Mass at the summit, at an outside altar overlooking the Sea of Galilee.

I did a couple more videos. I have no special plan for these. Just a thought.

We were at Tabgha, where it is thought that the Lord performed one of the two miracles of multiplication of loaves and fishes.  The famous mosaic fragment of the basket and fish is here.   German Benedictines built a magnificent church here, in the style of the basilica that was built here in 480, destroyed later by the Persians.   This architecture really does it for me, more than others.

We had a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and had them shut off the engine, for some silence and some Scripture, about the Lord calm the storm and walking on the water.

In the museum at the kibbutz there is preserved a 1st c. fishing boat.  This is Migdal, or Magadala, where there was a large fishing concern.   This place figures big in Josephus’ accounts of the area.

Lunch was at, I am told, one of the best places around for seafood. The meze or “appetizers” were fantastic.

 

Then off to Capernaum. There are some interesting archaeological digs here. It was a big town, as towns went, on the trade route. It is no wonder that the Lord based a lot of his activities in this area. Think about it. In the ancient world, news traveled about 5 miles an hour on average. On a trade route, there was more consistent transfer of news.

A few more moments.

Commenting at Caparnaum.

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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16 Comments

  1. JustaSinner says:

    Humus and Falafals, oh my!!! What a meal…just add a pita and cucumber tomato salad and some yummy Special Sauce. (Special sauce: tahini sauce, mango chutney, hot relish and ketchup. )

  2. acardnal says:

    Thanks so much for sharing your pilgrimage with photos and videos . . . and for remembering us in your prayers while at the holy sites.

  3. Kathleen10 says:

    These are beautiful. What an experience. We are following along with you, tagging along.
    You have a much bigger tour group than you knew. Thank you for finding the time to post these.

  4. Grant M says:

    Yes, I was standing in that synagogue almost exactly 37 years ago.

  5. capchoirgirl says:

    Thank you so much for your pictures, videos, and thoughts! I love them.

  6. Spinmamma says:

    An echo of others’ comments: thank you for remembering us in your prayers at those holy places and for taking the time to share the pilgrimage with us. It is a wonderful illustration of the amazing age in which we live. We can share your pilgrimage a world away almost in real time!

  7. tho says:

    Father, your the greatest. The pictures and comments make me feel like I have been to the Holy Land, and I haven’t even left my couch.

  8. Semper Gumby says:

    “We had a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and had them shut off the engine, for some silence and some Scripture.” Nice.

    “On the way, we went by the opening of the valley that leads up to where Cana is.” Sublime photo. Luke 3:

    As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
    “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
    Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight.
    Every valley shall be filled,
    and every mountain and hill shall be brought low,
    and the crooked shall be made straight,
    and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
    and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

    Meanwhile…”the sign says ‘unstable rock.'” *chuckle*

    Several books have been written about the recent discovery and recovery of that 1st c. boat.

    As Jonah discovered, no ship is safe when fleeing from the Lord. Best to get the hint.

    Great food photos. Even if it’s a brief walk-through, the aromas, sights and sounds of a spice bazaar are memorable.

  9. benedetta says:

    Thanks for sharing the videos, Father. It’s great to be able to follow along on your journey.

  10. UncleBlobb says:

    Fr. Z. and Amer! What a great pilgrimage! So happy for you, Fr. Z. God bless you all.

  11. Charles E Flynn says:

    Note how simple Father’s dishes are compared to this possible harbinger of impending doom:

    When Did Gluttony Become So Glamorous?

  12. NBW says:

    Beautiful photos, Fr. Z. Thank you for sharing!

  13. Diana says:

    They did a great job fixing the Church of the Loaves and Fishes after it was sadly burned a few years ago. So sad. It is a beautiful church. And the koi in the pond are HUGE!

  14. Jann says:

    Thank you for taking us with you!

  15. Mariana2 says:

    Thanks, Father!

  16. albinus1 says:

    I’m amused that the “no swimming” sign is in Italian, of all things, in addition to English, Hebrew, and Arabic, all three of which are expected. Do they get a lot of pilgrims from Italy? I might have expected French, which is still something of an international language.

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