Tabga: Church of Primacy of Peter

We had a brief visit to this Church after a long day as the sun was setting. They had an olive press which our guide explained to us and even gave us a little demonstration. Inside the Church we viewed the 4th century mosaic of the loaves and the fish.

Historical background:
TABGHA is the traditional location for the calling of the disciples. There was a 4th century religious building which housed the rock called Mensa Christi. The building was destroyed by the Persians in 614 and by the Muslims in 637. It is believed that here Jesus walked along the shore and called out to Simon Peter and Andrew who were casting their nets into the lake. Here he restored Peter to himself after the disciple's three denials by asking him three times if Peter loved Jesus. Catholic tradition associates this event with the naming of Peter as the singular leader of the church. The rock is the traditional place where Jesus stood and called out to the disciples. Here, by the shore, overlooking the spot supposed to have been where Jesus fed Peter and the apostles. The rock in the chapel is traditionally the table used by Jesus to feed His disciples.

The mosaic of the fish and loaves is laid next to a large rock, which has caused some New Testament scholars to speculate that the builders of the original church believed that Jesus stood on this rock when he blessed the fish and loaves just before the feeding of the crowd who had come to hear him.

Capernaum - Hometown of Jesus

After our fish lunch, we visited Capernaum where they have a sign, "The Hometown of Jesus". The ruins of the synagogue surrounded by the homes of the people were impressive. This is where Jesus lived during his public ministry. He knew everyone who lived in those homes. He walked through the alleys and prayed in the synagogue here. I think we all wanted to stay longer to ponder these events that happened where these stones remain.

Info on Capernaum:
Capernaum was Jesus’ favorite city. “A prophet is without honor in his own country” was all too tragically true of Nazareth. Driven from there with hostility and threats of death, Jesus was fond of Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. No more than we, could Jesus take rejection-much less callous indifference. He shook the dust of Nazareth from his sandals and went where people were open enough to listen to his words. The fact that the early Christians remembered such an insignificant spot as the home of Peter’s mother-in-law and erected upon it a church-synagogue shows that they too, after the destruction of Jerusalem, found this a hospitable town.

Synagogues were the centers for prayer and hearing the Word of God in each community. Sacrifice was limited to the Temple in Jerusalem, 75 miles away. Thus the synagogue was the focus of the spiritual life, except for the pilgrim feasts that brought one to Jerusalem. Never before had the citizens of Capernaum heard such words full of spirit and life. They came forth, not from written Torah scroll, but from the very word of God himself. They were the words that held out the hope and the promise of Eternal life. In the breaking of the bread, the Eucharist, we are offered life, life such as we could never have imagined or striven for. It is the very sharing in the life of Jesus himself. And because it is the flesh and blood of the Risen Lord, it is a foretaste of our own resurrection. The words that Jesus spoke at Capernaum, promising life eternal, are the words that come true each time we gather as a Christian community. We are the living fulfillment of his promise. Capernaum with its synagogue has fallen into ruins. His word endures forever, and because of what he said here, we shall live forever.
Historical Background: Similar to the other houses in Capernaum at the time of Jesus, Peter's Mother-in-Law’s house had one large room, measuring about twenty feet by twenty feet, and seveal smaller rooms. The walls of the house were built of black basalt stones, and the roof was made of clay and straw. This house was the place Jesus called "home" after leaving Nazareth (Mark 2:1; 3:19-20). Here Jesus returned at the end of each day, relaxed with his disciples, planned for the next day, talking with his friends into the night. Here, too, people came seeking Jesus-the sick, the possessed, and all who were in need (1:32-34). They knew they could find in Jesus a refreshing word, a healing touch, a saving presence. After the life of Jesus, the house of Peter’s Mother-in-Law became a gathering place for cel¬ebrating Eucharist among the early Christians. In the second half of the first century, the walls and ceilings of the large room of the house were plastered to create a church. On this plaster are etched writings from early pilgrims such as "Christ have mercy" and "Lord Jesus, help your servant." In the fifth century an eight-sided church was built around and over Peter's house. This octagonal style was popular in the Byzantine period, and allowed worship¬pers to form a procession around the holy site.

Today a modern church is built upon pillars over the ruins. In the center of the church, a glass floor allows visitors to look into the excavations below and stand directly above the place which Jesus called home. As pilgrims worship in this church, they are able to feel the life of Jesus as close as anywhere on earth.

Peter's Fish Lunch

Did you know that this is Tilapia? There are several species of fish in the sea of Galilee but this Tilapia, known as Peter's fish is the most well known. They say that something shiny is occasionally found in the mouth of these fish. In the restaurant they fish that was served to Fr. Brian had a gold coin in its mouth! Unfortunately, it was a 1/2 sheckel and not real gold - but Deacon Jerry had fun with it!

TEMPLE TAX Matthew 17: 24-27 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" "Yes," he said. When he came into the house, before he had time to speak, Jesus asked him, "What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax? From their subjects or from foreigners?" When he said, "From foreigners," Jesus said to him, "Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you."

Sea of Galilee

We visited the museum which houses this Ancient Boat from the time of Jesus. During a drought some fishermen stumbled upon wood protruding out of the newly uncovered ground. They dug and realized it was a boat. With the help of experts, they uncovered the boat, covered it with foam to stabilize it, and floated it to a workshop. For 15 years it sat in a solution to harden the wood and now it can be seen along with a miniature replica at this museum.

We then ventured out on the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias) for a memorable boat ride. We read scriptures about Jesus walking on water and calling Peter out of the boat - to act in faith. And we prayed for this faith!

Mount of Beatitudes

We visited the Church built just above the hill overlooking a plain where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount/Plain. Before our tour guide finished his introduction to the site, a choir also there on pilgrimage sang a beautiful melody. Eventually we made it through the Church and to the site where this picture was taken.

Historical Background: Mussolini of Italy built this Church of the Sermon on the Mount in 1938. It was a replacement of a chapel that had been abandoned in the 7th century. It is octagonal and is made of local, black basalt stone, except for the arches, which are of white stone from Nazareth. Its eight-sided shape symbolizes the eight Beatitudes. The gardens outside the church are ideal for tranquil reflection and the panorama offers an encompassing view of the Sea of Galilee and the region of Jesus' ministry.

THE BEATITUDES (Matthew 5: 1-20)
When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

One of the members of our group read the Beatitudes and we prayed together.

Mount Tabor

We took taxis up the serpentine road to the top of Mount Tabor - this would have been a tough walk over rocky ground - where we celebrated Holy Mass, enjoyed the view, and viewed the ruins of previous churches. This indeed is a holy place!


TRANSFIGURATION
(Matthew 17: 1-9) After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

Historical Background:
Mount Tabor is the mountain that abruptly rises from the Jezreel plain to a height of 1900 feet. It is SE of Nazareth. It is a landmark when one is in the plain of Jezreel or the plain of Armageddon as it is the only cone shaped mountain in the area. The mountain was considered Holy by the Northern Jewish tribes. Barak, by the order of Deborah, destroyed the army of Sisara. (Judith 4, 6). Altars were built for the heathen gods, for which Hosea upbraids the people. Antiochus III in 218 B.C. and Vespesian in 67 A.D. occupied this strategic place. Many say the transfiguration was at Banyas, which is a six days journey from Tabor. The events of the Bible do not lead credence to this. In the fourth century a basilica in honor of the Transfiguration was built here, and a sixth-century pilgrim reported three basilicas there, honoring Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. In the 9th century 4 churches and 18 monks with a bishop lived here. During the Latin domination, the mountain was given to the Benedictine monks but had to leave in 1187. The monastery and church was destroyed by the Muslims in 1212. In 1255, Clement IV gave the mountain to the Order of Hospital of St. John but was destroyed again by the Muslims in 1263. The shrine was abandoned for nearly 400 years. When it was safe, the Franciscans from Nazareth would climb the mountain on the feast of the Transfiguration. Francis of Verrazzano of Tuscany, obtained in 1631 the formal permission for the Franciscans to settle on the mountain from Emir Fakhredin. The ruins of the immense Crusader monastery of almost 1000 years ago surround the beautiful church.

Today's Basilica of the Transfiguration incorporates some of the ancient elements. On the right and left of the entrance are two older chapels, one dedicated to Elijah, the other to Moses. A mosaic of the transfiguration dominates the upper level of the church. The lower level contains remains of the Byzantine church and is marked by a window of a peacock, a traditional symbol of the resurrection. When the church was built about 50 years ago, the roof was of translucent alabaster, now covered over. The alabaster windows still give a sense of subdued glory. The image of the peacock in the window of the crypt (actually the ancient Byzantine Church) is symbolic of the Resurrection. The mosaic in the apse over the main altar is of the transfiguration. In the rear, incorporated into the present edifice are two ancient chapels to Moses and Elijah. Later Christians accomplished what the disciples could not: they have built three tabernacles here! The dazzling garments of Jesus and his glowing face are an expression of divinity, of the glory of God's Son (verse 2). Moses and Elijah, ancient figures representing God's revelation in the Old Testament, appear with Jesus (verse 3). Peter, filled with awe and reverence, wanted to keep this experience forever and suggested that he erect three tents for them (verse 4). The voice of God identifies Jesus as his Son and asks that his disciples "listen to him" (verse 5). In Eastern Christian spirituality, the transfiguration expresses the belief that God wants to transform us all into his own divine likeness. In the transfiguration we experience a person totally possessed by God, completely on fire with God, perfectly reflecting the divine image. This divinization is what our transforming God would do if he were truly given free rein in our lives. We have all had glimpses this experience: when we touch God personally in deep prayer, when our hearts are lifted listening to glorious music, when awe¬some worship fills our spirits with holiness. The account of the transfiguration occurs in the gospel immediately after Jesus first prophesies his death and begins his journey toward Jerusalem. This is a reminder to us that transforming experiences of God's presence are never given to us simply to be enjoyed for their own sake. The gift is given within the context of our vocation, to strengthen us for God's calling-a calling that, for the Christian, always includes the call to take up the cross.