ISRAEL
I am having trouble recalling which of the places we went to first. Some, I don't even have any pictures of. ( I was too lazy to bring my camera to some of the sites ) So, for now I guess I'll just have to do with what I have.
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| The view of Jerusalem |
To get to Israel was a 4 or 6 hour bus ride, I can't remember but everything we had planned was delayed because getting there took longer than expected. One of our fellow pilgrims had been put on hold by the Israeli border so we had to wait a couple of hours (not including the waiting time for our bus's turn to be taken in). The whole day was just tiring.
By God's grace, they eventually let him go and we head on to our hotel.
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| The Fransiscan Church of Cana |
On our first day, we had lunch at Jericho then went to Nazareth to visit the Village of Cana where you find the church where Jesus performed His first public miracle.
"The next day[a] there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”
5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons.[b] 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.”When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.
9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over.10 “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” - John 2: 1-10
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| Church of Transfiguration |
The next day, we passed by Mt. Tabor to visit the church of Transfiguration.
"Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. 2 As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.
4 Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials[a]—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5 But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” - Matthew 17:1-5
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| The Church of Beatitudes |
This is where Jesus delivered the sermon on the Mount.
"One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them."
The Beatitudes
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“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,[a]
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
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God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
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God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
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God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,[b]
for they will be satisfied.
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God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
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God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
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God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
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God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you[c] and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way." - Matthew 5:1-12
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| The rock where Jesus performed the miracle of the 5 loaves and 2 fish |
We visited the Church of the First Feeding of the Multitude in Tabgha.
"19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. 20 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers.21 About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!" - Matthew 14:19-25
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| The town of Jesus |
This is the Capernaum. I must say that it is one of the most interesting places to visit in Israel. After Jesus' baptism and John's arrest, He chose to live there and make it his headquarters of ministry. In fact, Mark and Matthew refer to this place as Jesus' hometown.
He did so much here - befriended tax collectors, healed the sick and preached to multitudes. This is where the Synagogue and Peter's house, where Jesus slept, is founded. Since we were caught by heavy rain, we had only the house to visit but it wasn't a big deal to me since I've already seen it before.
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| Doing my Quiet Time in the Sea of Galilee |
We sailed the sea of Galilee.
There's so much about this sea. By its waters, Jesus chose the first disciples, healed the sick and preached the gospel of the Kingdom. Here, He walked on water. In another occasion, He spoke to a storm and calmed the wind and waves. That is probably why this sea is blessed. Aside from being the main source of fresh water for Israel, it serves as a center for tourism with Resort facilities, the Jordan river, picnick areas, water sports and other activities are found or taken place in.
My favorite Bible story about the sea of Galilee would probably have to be Matthew 14 which says:
"22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone."
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| The Church of Annunciation |
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
and that the time
of the Lord’s favor has come.[a]”
We visited the church of the Annunciation where Angel Gabriel revealed to the virgin Mary the imminent birth of Jesus and John the baptist. It is one of the largest and most magnificent churches in the Holy Land.
Cesarea, a town built by Herod the Great was given its name in honor of the Roman Emperor Augustus. Archaeologists believe that this must have been the headquarters of the Procurator of Judea in AD 26-36, Pontius Pilate.
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| The amphitheater in Cesarea |
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| In the Jordan river |
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| In Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity, where Jesus was born |
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| Lunch at Tel Aviv before crossing the border to Egypt |
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| A Turkish clock tower in Tel Aviv |
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| The Palestinian border |
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| The Western Wall |
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| The Dead Sea |
"The Salt Sea" for its high mineral content. Because of this, almost no vegetation or animal life occurs.
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| Mud from the Dead Sea |
The Dead Sea is known as the richest source of minerals in the world and contains 21 life-essential minerals. Studies show that these minerals are in the right balance for our skin, helping it retain moisture, balance oil, reduce wrinkles, minimize pores and many more.
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| Floating on the Dead Sea |
Also, because of its high salt content, almost anything would float independently.
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| Mount of Temptation |
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| Kids outside the Holy Sepulcher Church |
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| Best drink evaaa! |
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| BEST ICE CREAM EVER. |
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| The procession of the Via Delorosa |
It's a very humbling feeling, being there so realistically imagining what Jesus went through till the time He was born to the time He died. This is where we walked the Stations of the cross from where He was stripped off and teased, to where He was crucified and where He was lain after He had died.
It's amazing what He went through for us, a bunch of sinners who did no good. He doesn't need us, we are but more of no need to Him than ants yet He still chose to die for us out of love. We killed Him, friends. He loved us nonetheless.
While we were here, after finishing the procession, we were brought the news that one of our fellow Pilgrims had died in his hotel room that morning. Though his loss is tragic, I am thankful that he died a happy death in the land he wanted to die in, the way he wanted to. So...Hallelujah still.
I'd like to dedicate this post to Him,
I may have not known Him, not even stopped by to say a quick "Hello." I probably never even noticed him there, but after a few days, have grown close to his family members along the trip. They are such wonderful people and for that, I bet he was pretty extraordinary.
Rest in peace, Reynaldo Barzaga Carungcong
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| ( © Renz Ramos for this photo ) |
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