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Published: January 4th 2018
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This morning I packed my bag and headed out into the streets of Tiberias determined to find an honest taxi driver. I eventually found a good soul having a coffee and chatting with a friend. He quoted me a fair price and we were off to Tabgha.
Tabgha is the spot where Jesus performed his miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes. However, I would not be just sightseeing there I would actually be staying almost on the very spot at the German run Pilgerhaus Tabgha. I had heard from a pilgrim I met in Jerusalem that it was a pilgrim house bordering on being a Christian resort. I was eager to check it out.
Now that I am here I am so grateful to have been delivered to this wonderful tranquil place. The pilgerhaus is immaculate and has beautiful sprawling grounds with the scent and sight of spring flowers everywhere. It is so airy here that it just lifts your spirit. You can lounge on one of many terraces or wander yourself down to shores of the Galilee whenever the mood strikes. And not only that, but after multiple nights in a row in different
accommodations I can finally unpack my bag and stay while. Four nights to be exact.
After settling in, it was time to go out and see some sights. It was a breeze since all the sights I would be seeing were within a 25-minute walk. My first stop was the Church of the Multiplication. It was hard for me to get a feel from it, but there were some nice mosaics. I moved on down the road to the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter.
This place just exuded spirituality from the moment I turned down the leafy path that lead to it. I entered the small church and was immediately confronted by the Mensa Christi itself. This is the very rock on which Christ, after the resurrection, shared a fish breakfast with his disciples who were of course overwhelmed with joy. It was also here that Christ commanded Peter to “Feed my Sheep”.
Remarkably, I had the whole place to myself. I walked across the pebbly beach down to the shore and crouched down. I let my fingers swish through the water. I thought about the fateful morning and how it all had happened right
here. The whole moment felt electric and soothing all at the same time. After a while a couple other visitors finally came along and I moved onwards.
I was looking for Job’s Spring, where it is said that the poor afflicted Job washed his sores in an effort to bring himself some relief. It is simply mind boggling just how much history has happened here in this small patch of land. Not just here, but Israel in general.
I could hear some rushing water in the distance, but I could not see it. I climbed down some steps to get to the shore. Still no luck. So I kept walking out on this strip of land that was increasingly transforming itself into the sea. Soggy conditions and water lapping between the rocks. Finally, I turned around and there it was, a small waterfall, where I could just imagine Job coming when all else seemed against him. I was happy to have made the effort to find it. Following that I walked a little bit along the pilgrim’s pathway and then returned to the pilgerhaus. It was time for a swim.
I don’t know if Jesus and the
disciples ever went for a swim in the Sea of Galilee, as it isn’t really mentioned in the bible, but I can’t imagine any reason why not. I wasn’t quite sure how to get in as my initial entry point was pretty rocky, but I was not to be dissuaded. I stuck one foot in and hoped for the best. The water was cold and the sea seemed to surge toward me. I took blind steps of faith and remarkably each step I took found an improbably safe landing spot beneath the murky depths. Finally, I steeled myself and lurched my whole body fully into the drink. The bracingly cold waters of the Galilee flowed all around and a rush of energy pulsed through me.
I paddled around for a short while and then scampered to shore in an ungainly manner. My feet were aching from the cold and I wrapped a towel around them in an effort to warm them. I was feeling quite invigorated as I sat staring out across the lake contemplating just where I was. Just then I could faintly hear whispering along the winds the words, “Thomas, of you I am well pleased.” Alone
along the shores of the Galilee. It couldn’t get much more special than that. I eagerly await the next few days that I get to be here in this spiritual place.
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