Inkling

Israel: Day 3
Another beautiful morning greeted us today.  After a hearty breakfast we made our way to the top of the Arbel Cliff overlooking the Gennesaret Valley and the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.  We took in a spectacular view of the region where Jesus performed most of his ministry.  From there we traveled north to the ancient ruins of the Canaanite city of Hazor.  This was one of the towns the Israelites conquered in their effort to occupy the Promised Land. 

From Hazor we made our way toward the Lebanese border to Tel Dan - a beautiful nature preserve.  Most of us made the hike through the luscious woods along the raging headwaters of the Jordan River.  At the end of the trail we came upon the remains of the altar and high place (Shechem) of the northern tribes of Israel instituted and constructed by the renegade King Jeroboam. 

From there it was on to lunch at a roadside cafe.

The afternoon brought a visit to Caesarea Philippi where Jesus took inventory of the disciples with his question, "Who do you say that I am?". It gave Peter the opportunity to answer with the first profession of faith of the disciples, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God."

On our way back toward the shores of Galilee we traveled along the Golan Heights, the region captured by Israel from Syria during the 1967 War.  We stopped for some pictures of the border, the U.N. Station and the general region where, just last week, Syrian tanks happened into.

Then it was to the edge of the Sea of Galilee where we visited the Church of the Loaves and Fishes wherein is found beautiful mosaic floors including the famous basket of four loaves and two fish (the undepicted fifth loaf is said to be the bread of life, the Body of Christ that is consecrated on the altar above).

We completed our day at St. Peter's Primacy - right on the shore of the Sea.  We read that great story from John 21 and remembered together Jesus asking Peter, "Do you love me more than these?"  Supposing Jesus' question was an attempt to call Peter away from the old life of fishing to the new life of tending Christ's sheep,  we each took time alone to wonder what new life Christ was calling us to. 

From those quiet moments it was back to the active city of Tiberias and dinner.  Hard to believe one day can top another, but they keep seeming to! 

Shalom.