Notes from the Holy Land Feb 22, Sunday
This morning began with a typical Israeli Breakfast Buffett which includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. I of course, steered more towards the Double Espresso Coffee and Chocolate Croissant end of the table, giving me just the right amount of sugar and caffeine I needed to hit the road running!
Our first stop was the Mount of Beatitudes, located on the northshore of the Sea of Galilee. It was here that Jesus gave His famous Sermon on the Mount, introducing His revolutionary teachings emphasizing Humility, Mercy and Purity over Pride as a guide to Spiritual Growth.
Usually a place filled with pilgrims and tour buses, we shared this very scenic and peaceful place with but a handful of pilgrims, and no tour buses.
From here we traveled a short distance to Caperneum, also located on the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus began his public ministry and performed many miracles.
Here we visited the remains of the ancient synagogue and an unusual spaceship like building with a glass floor built over the ruins of the home of St Peter, now a chapel where pilgrims are often celebrating Mass.
Today however, we were the only people here for at least 20 minutes, when finally a group from Poland arrived.
I was privileged to be able to speak to one of the Franciscans in residence here from Ghana who shared how difficult it has been over the last few years with no visitors, not just financially but emotionally and spiritually. He said that now things have been quiet for awhile now and pilgrims are beginning to return, bringing with them hope.
We stopped in Tiberias for a delicious lunch along the shore where Joe tried St. Peter’s Fish and I had a mixed grill shush kabobs of lamb, chicken and beef, all accompanied with mezze starters and date and baklava desserts.
After lunch we joined the group of Polish pilgrims we had seen in Caperneum for a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. As we sailed across the lake the pilgrims listened intently as the guide recounted biblical passages and pointed out the holy sites that surrounded us.
Then as we sailed back to the pier, the pilgrims line danced to Hava Nagila, and even sang along to the Village People’s YMCA! (I was wondering if maybe there was vodka in their water bottles!)
In the early evening we returned to the Basilica of the Annunciation to meet Fr Sergio Olmedo Flores, OFM who is in residence here, and who graciously met with us to talk about the situation in Israel since 2020 and how it affects the parishes, civilians and pilgrims traveling to Israel.
He mentioned that life has gone on pretty much as usual for local people, although with fewer visitors, causing both financial and spiritual suffering.
He invited American Pilgrims to come back to the Holy Land in support of the Christian community, that it is now safe, and an especially nice time to travel before the huge crowds inevitably return.
Fr Sergio gave us tour of the beautiful Casa Nova Hotel, which has two private chapels, a beautiful courtyard, conference rooms, even a bar for pilgrims to enjoy.
We enjoyed an espresso with Fr Sergio before heading to a recommended restaurant for a taste of local fare. It was a charming and quaint, with an extensive menu, and a rather extensive wine list.
We enjoyed a selection of delicious mezze, lamb chops, shrimp in a creamy cashew sauce and an excellent bottle of Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon produced locally in Galilee, ensuring a good nights sleep after another incredible day.
Can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring.
Shalom,
Jimmy
