Day 3 Sarah Roach

Day 3 in Israel saw us spending our time around the Sea of Galilee. First stop was the ruins of the village of Bethsaida (“house of the fisherman”) which was the native place of the Disciples Peter, Andrew, and Philip.

Next, we toured Mt. Beatitudes, believed to be the setting of Jesus’ most famous discourse, the Sermon on the Mount and to visit the charming, Franciscan church which surprisingly, was paid in part by Mussolini in order to influence and win favor with this part of the world during the World War II. The church is octagonal in shape, reflecting the 8 beatitudes altogether, one for each side. You may look up beatitudes or refer to the Gospel of Matthew 5:3-16.

Ein Sheva, or Tabgha, which means "spring of seven" was our next stop. It is traditionally accepted as the place of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes (Mark 6:30-46) and the fourth resurrection appearance of Jesus (John 21:1-24) after his Crucifixion. Keeping the theme of churches, the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter houses the Mensa Christi on which it is thought that Jesus prepared food for his disciples.

Capernum, called the “town of Jesus” because this is where he decided to start his ministry. The house of Peter is here and on this site Jesus cured a paralytic who was lowered through the roof. Jesus was disappointed in the village’s lack of faith and so he cursed it. 163 graffiti have been found that mention Jesus and Peter, and the ruins of a fine synagogue, the original one destroyed and replaced in 200, are here.

Magdala is the site of the birth of Mary Magdalene. It is maintained by the order of the Legionaries of Christ. Mary was possessed by 7 demons which were driven out by Jesus and she became a followers of Jesus. Magdala was a major port on the Sea of Galilee and the ruins of a synagogue were recently discovered there. According to Josephus, the town of 40000 was destroyed by the Romans during the First Roman-Jewish War.

The wind, while hiking up Mt. Arbel to see Magdala from a higher point, made walking very difficult but the struggle was worth it.

Next we traveled to the baptismal site Yardenit on the Jordan River. 16 is us dressed in robes were baptized, including me. Yes, it was chilly but a wonderful experience.

We concluded our day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.

It was rainy off and on and very windy on Mt. Arbel but not as cold as expected.