Day 3: Mount of Beatitudes and the Primacy of St. Peter

Mount of Beatitudes

There is monastic community life on the hillside that most makes sense for an amphetheater-like effect on the shores of

the Sea of Galilee. Beautiful gardens and spots for groups to hold short worship gatherings

abound. We read the Beatitudes and spent time journaling, praying and absorbing what it might have been like to have heard these words of Jesus.

Primacy of St. Peter

This location is the traditional site of Jesus' final appearance to the disciples--the one in which he tells Peter to "feed my sheep."

There is a small, beautiful chapel here, more places for worship (we held a worship and communion gathering in a pavilion), and a gentle slope right into the sea of Galilee.

Several of us enjoyed wading into the sea.

Later that evening, many of us were deeply moved by a small

Hebrew-speaking "charismatic" Catholic congregation, St. Peter's. The warmth and deep spirit (not to mention the ecclectic music) was impossible to capture with a camera--but it nurtured our spirits, especially as we were welcomed heartily into communion with them. Wonderful spiritual nourishment for us as we continue our pilgrimage.