Holy Land Pilgrimage 2011
August 30
Two and half thousand miles travelled and our early morning drive is delayed by Galilee's answer to the Chuckle Brothers setting out hundreds of traffic cones and then resetting them again and again. There are roadworks here too! The white lines were being repainted. Once we have passed this annoyance we turn away from the Lakeside and begin a steep uphill climb to the Golan Heights - often a flashpoint for confrontation.
Forget any idea that the heights are a hilltop summit like Snowdon or Rivington Pike, they are formed by a plateau of fertile land fifty miles long. We rattle along the long straight roads with lush fields and vegetation. Miles and miles of orchards, vineyards and olive groves interspersed with dairy farms and evidence of abandoned military paraphernalia. One long stretch of many miles turns to coarse grass with virtually no sign of human activity.
Eventually we stop at a view point overlooking Syria (the previous half hour was spent in former Syrian territory) and still more crops including vast cherry orchards. At the roadside there are strange blooms including beautiful Syrian Thistles and the ubiquitous herbs like Rosemary and lavender making the warm breeze highly fragrant. I am amazed at the variety, colour and profusion of the flora here.
Our next stop was at a national park at what had been Caesarea Phillipi. At the site of an ancient Greek temple dedicated to Pan and alongside a cave reputed to be the gates to Hades, Jesus charged Peter with his allotted task. 'You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church. The mighty cliffs overlooking the site and the gaping entrance to Hades alongside give real meaning to Matthew's account. As we left the site we could see fish of all shapes and sizes teeming in the waters of the Jordan River before driving along through roads overlooking the Lebanon.
Our afternoon Mass was celebrated at Mensa Christi, the last time Jesus was seen before the Ascension. It was here that Our Lord shared his final meal with the disciples and forgave Peter for his betrayal. We worshipped under a ceiling of trees cooled by a breeze with the Sea and with Galilee as a backdrop. Then down to the shore to wade along the waters edge where Jesus walked and talked with his friends in a place of staggering beauty.
Our day ended with some -all too brief- time in Caephernum where Jesus performed many miracles, preached in the Synogogue and spent time living with Peter's mother-in-law.
Even though this is the "quiet season" for tourism I have found this part of our Journey of Faith to be the most personal and meaningful. There is not fifteen feet of construction over every site. Caesarea and the shores of Galilee are largely unspoiled and unchanged from bible times, the landscapes we are seeing would be familiar to Christ and his disciples making the geography of the New Testament more comprehensible.
In case you think all our time is spent in prayer we are beginning our evening at the hotel with a cold drink, watching the sun setting having a free fish pedicure (honestly) with our feet in the Sea of Galilee!
As our adventure starts to draw rapidly closer to it's end we continue to think of and pray for you all- especially those of you unable to enjoy this experience for whatever reason.
God Bless.
A Pilgrim
Photogallery
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