Jerusalem Day 17 (Wednesday, 18th)

First thing this morning I stayed in bed, I had intended to go for a swim but it didn't wake in time and by the time I got started it was time to get up for breakfast.

After breakfast we headed for the bus and then it was down to the Lake of Kinneret with Ghada and her sister Noura Boulos to go for earlier morning trip on the lake in one of the boats that take tourists - not forgetting that we are pilgrims - on the lake.

When we left we headed out towards the middle of the lake and then the skipper turned off the engine and the boat drifted for some time as we reflected on the Scriptures of Jesus walking on the water and calming the sea. It was an incredibly peacefilled time - the fact that there were almost no waves and little breeze notwithstanding - the time was special. One of the boats which provide the opportunity to travel on the Lake of Kinneret (or Tiberias or Galilee whichever is chosen as the name of the day).

When we returned to the Information Centre attached to the trip we saw a movie telling the story of a 1st Century Boat which had been discovered in the 1980's when drought lowered the level in the lake and a boat was found buried in the mud on the shore. The work done to recover the boat and then to restore it was amazing and it has now been preserved and is on display in the centre.

From there we travelled to Capernaum (or Kafer Naum) and spent time in an ancient Synagogue from the period BCE. Capernaum was on the Via Maris (the Way of the Sea) and had both agricultural and fishing centres to bring the people into its area so was a popular place. The work done on the excavation of the Synagogue and other parts of the town including the House in which St Peter's mother-in-law was cured is quite amazing. The two photos which follow show the story.

Unfortunately we weren't able to get a better look at the three circles within the house because a Mass was being celebrated in the Chapel built above Peter's House so the photo above is all I could manage. 

From there we headed to the Greek Orthodox Church we we had the chance to see some amazing iconagraphy with Ghada again able to provide an excellent commentary both about the style of the writing as well as the history of the particular building and its tradition.  There is an incredibly large icon of the Last Judgement just inside the door of the Church and here is a part of the icon showing what happens to those who have not chosen the way of God and who have chosen the other path.

After eating our lunch we then headed off to Tabgha and the Church of the Loaves and Fishes with its beautiful Byzantine Mosaics - the work done by these artists of old well and truly stand the test of time. But as good as the mosaics are Ghada's explanation and knowledge of the work made the visit truly memorable - my only problem is that I am not able to remember everything she told us.

It was just a short walk from there to the Church of the Primacy of Peter. Here there is a rock inside the Church where Jesus is reputed to have cooked the fish that Peter caught in the post-Easter period and after which Jesus asked Peter three times 'Do you love me?' Ghada mentioned the difference in the questions that Jesus asked - 'Do you agape me?' to which Peter replied, 'Of course I philos you' twice before Jesus asked Peter, 'Do you philos me?' to which Peter answered, 'You know I philos you.' Jesus came and loved us so much more than we can understand and so some of our answers leave more than a little to be desired.

Whilst we were there we gave thanks for Ghada for another, not so good, reason. Whilst she was quietly telling us the stories associated with the Church there was another tour guide who was preaching at her group and some of the things she said made the rest of us feel embarrassed.

From there we headed off to the Mt of the Beatitudes where we had a quiet time after we had read through the Beatitudes and some of the saying that complete Matthew Ch 5.  Sadly my time of reflection was cut short by another group arriving and sitting around me as they went through their guide's presentation about the Sermon and the centre. The Church, built in the 1980's, has some beautiful imagery in its design and the work inside is quite unusual. The centre of the ceiling is blue which symbolises heaven.

 

From there we headed back to Pilgerhaus for a swim in the Lake, Mass by the lakeside and then the evening meal.  On my way back to my room there was a tiny snake near the doorway and I hope to be able to add a photo of the snake later - here it is.

Now bed.