Commentary for Tuesday 1/29

Tuesday 1/29

Capernaum, Mass at St. Peter's, Synagogue of Capernaum, Primacy of Peter, Lunch, Tabgha and Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.

Capernaum was a wealthy Jewish town in Roman times. The remains of a 4th century synagogue with soaring columns and inscribed pillars indicate it was the most elaborate of the early Galilean synagogues. Jesus met his first disciples here, Peter, Andrew, James, John and Matthew, all fishermen who worked on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus preached and performed several miracles in Capernaum and the surrounding area. The people of Capernaum did not believe despite the miracles and Jesus gravely told them, "And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell" (Matthew 11:23). The city was destroyed by the Arabs in the 7th century and remained nothing but a wasteland of engraved stones until it was acquired by the Franciscans in 1891. The ruins are in two sections, one section belonging to the Franciscans which was excavated 1968-84, sponsored by the Italian government. The other section belongs to the Greek Orthodox and was excavated in 1978-82 by the Israel department of antiquites. The elaborate synagogue has been partially restored, below the floor excavations have revealed the remains of a 1st century synagogue, probably the one in which Jesus preached.

The modern church, aptly named St. Peter's, was built over the remnants of Peter's home, he lived with his in-laws. You can see this from inside the church. This is also the site where Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law who had a fever, and once cured she immediately got out of bed to serve them. This was a beautiful place to have Mass.

Primacy of Peter. Nearby, along the shore, is the Church of the Primacy of Peter, or Mensa Christi (The Table of Christ). This chapel marks the spot where Jesus, after the resurrection, "showed himself again to his disciples at the sea of Tiberas" (John 21:1) and they ate together. The rock emerging from the floor in the chapel is the table at which they ate. Jesus then appointed Simon Peter to the office of Primacy with the words, "feed my sheep" (John 21:16). The priests that were traveling with us, gave us an opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation. How amazing to receive this sacrament in the same spot that Jesus showed mercy and forgiveness for Peter's betrayal. So powerful and such beauty.

Another great lunch with local fare. I had to try the famous St. Peter's fish, especially today!

Tabgha is a distortion of the Greek word Heptapegon, meaning Seven Springs. In the past seven springs met at this point and flowed into the Sea of Galilee. Today only five remain. The church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes, is built on the spot of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. The table rock of this site has been the altar of successive churches, the earliest built in the 4th century, replaced a century later by a larger structure. The mosaic pavement still remain in the modern church built in 1982 for the German Benedictines in Byzantine style. This was a perfect place to receive a teaching on "the Bread of Life" discourse.

Last by certainly not least, we took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and we were able to get a perspective of all the sites we have been to today. It really strikes you when you see how close everything all these places were. For some reason when I picture these places in my mind from readings in the bible, the see disconnected. What a gift to see these places in person and make the connection.

Tomorrow is our last day in the Holy Land, and we plan to make a full day of it before we head to the airport for our late night flight.