Today started off with a visit just down the road to some sites from the New Testament.
First we visited Peter's Primacy, so called because it was the place where Peter is said to have come up to the water after Jesus was resurrected and had breakfast on the beach with Jesus. There is a lovely chapel and a place to dip into the Sea of Galilee. It was really neat to be able, as a Christian, to be walking where Jesus walked and taught, since this is the area of his public ministry. Very inspiring - it certainly makes the Bible stories come alive!
Next we headed to the ruins of Capernaum. Jesus is in and out of Capernaum in the gospels. Chiefly Capernaum is known for being Peter's hometown. There are some ruins of a synogogue there, as well as a chapel over Peter's house. Then it was onto the Church of the Beatitudes, which is on a hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee. This is where Jesus gave his famous Sermon on the Mount, which include the beatitudes - i.e. "blessed are the poor in spirit...", etc. A beautiful chapel there and a great view of the Sea of Galilee.
Then it was onto the village of Ossifia, where we learned a bit about the Druze religion. Druze are a small religion that emphasizes equality between men and women, reincarnation, and living in harmony with others. Druze are Palestinian Israeli citizens who can serve in the army, so that makes them sort of a priviledged minority. In this village of Ossifia, these Druze are living together with Christians, Muslims, and Jews in a great example of tolerance and respect.
Then it was onto to Farahia's house, near Ossifia. Farahia is one of our guides, and is a Palestinian Christian. Her family received our whole group into her house - all 55 of us! We had a wonderful time of singing, sharing food, and enjoying her family's hospitality.
Took a swim in the pool, and I am now sitting on my balcony overlooking the Sea of Galilee, listening to Gabriel Meyer Halevy, an Israeli musician/peacebuilder, give a concert. Beautiful.
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