Exploring the Galilee - Part II

Seeing the crowds, he went up

on the mountain and when he

sat down his disciples came to him 

and he opened his mouth and taught

saying blessed are.............. and when

Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds

were astonished at his teaching for he

was teaching them as one who had 

authority..........

Matthew 5:1 and 7:28,29a

In keeping with my plan to spend some of my down time remaining here in Israel in "stopping to ponder" as one of my previous blogs said, I have a plan, and it involves a day trip to the Sea of Galilee. Sitting on the western side of the Gaililee or Kinneret is a lovely church and monastary. The Church of the Beatitudes sits on a hill above the sea on the site where tradition says that Jesus delivered The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).   The church itself is not that old as it was built by the Franciscans in the 1930s on the site of an earlier Byzantine church.  However, it is a beautiful spot high above the Lake with lovely gardens and and a peaceful atmosphere.  I plan to spend a good part of a day there sitting with my Bible, journal and perhaps another book or two.  I will read and pray but I also want to just listen.  Here are some of the reasons that I've chosen this spot.

 Come to me all who labor

are heavy laden and I will

give you rest. Take my yoke

upon you and learn from me,

for I am gentle  and lowly

in heart and you will find

rest for your souls. For my

yoke is easy and my burden

is light.

Matthew 11:28-30

              

I think that you can see why this is my choice of place without too many more words from me.  There are plenty of gardens, walks and benches in this lovely spot - definitely a place to "stop and ponder".

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