WE VISITED GALILEE

We went to Caesare Philippe where Peter received the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. This was at the source of the Jordan River where nearby was the ruins of the Temple of the god of Pan.

We then visited the controversial Golan Heights where modern day Israel fought fierce battle against Syria.

WE proceeded to Capernaum, the town of Jesus. We celebrated mass in the church constructed over the supposed original house of Peter. We were shown the ruins of the Synagogue in Capernaum where people used to gather during Jesus’ time. We also visited the Tagbha, site of the miracle of the multiplication of five loaves and two fishes.

We then cruised the Sea of Galilee and tried a lunch of fried fish of Jesus in Siberia. After lunch we went to Yardenit on the Jordan River and renewed our baptismal vow.

Finally we went to a comprehensive visit to a Kibbutz and understood the way of life of the Kibutzim.

A manager headed the community and every able-bodied member, male or female was supposed to work according to one’s capability. Then everybody enjoyed all the necessary facilities from food to education.

If there was anything important I learned in Israel aside from religious relevance and historical value, it was the discipline which was evident anywhere we went. In spite of the fact that Jerusalem was surrounded by the wilderness, there was no pollution. Even the sees and rivers were teeming with lives.

COMMENT:
Israel was a great country for within its boundary lies the Holy Land a 14,800 sq. miles piece of land bounded by Lebanon (north), Syria (east) and Jordan and Sinai desert (south).

It was the land of three great monotheistic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. This was the land of the Bible and the past glories of the Islam; this was the land where Jesus was born, lived, suffered, died and resurrected according to the Christians; this was also the land where the Moslem’s prophet Mohamed ascended into heaven.

This was the land of faith, of love, of history and of wars and troubles of all kinds.

There were so many churches and landmarks as there were opinions and belief, that a pilgrim sometimes got confused. But no doubt this was the Holy Land. One could feel that vibration of holiness from all corners.