Our next stop on Thursday, March 24 was at Tabgha on the Sea where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes for the people. This story is told in four different gospels. The name 'Tabgha' comes from the Greek word 'Heptapegon' which means "Seven Springs." Seven springs were supposed to meet here before going into the sea.


The Church there is named the 'Church of the Multiplication.' The table rock in this church is thought to be the place where the extra loaves and fishes were piled up in baskets. It was venerated by Judeo-Christians as early as 28 AD. The first church built here was in the 4th century, and enlarged in 480. Some of the mosaic floor tiles are still visible. This church was destroyed in 614, was excavated in 1932, and rebuilt in 1982 by German Benedictines.


On the seashore is another church, the Church of St. Peter's Primacy. This is the location where Jesus cooked breakfast over a charcoal fire for a few apostles (including Peter and John) after His Resurrection. I have always found this Scripture so very moving, because I see Peter as an impetuous, spontaneous, emotional soul who, as soon as he recognized Jesus on the shore, jumped in the sea and swam to Him, not waiting for the boat to put to shore! Peter did not hang back because of his guilt (the denial of Christ) but rushed forward to His Master.


The apostles were despondent over the death of Jesus, but decided to go fishing at night just to be doing something. They had caught nothing all night. Jesus appeared on the shore, and asked them about what they had caught. He told them to try the other side of the boat, and when they did, they pulled up loads of fish! It was then that they recognized Jesus.


On the shore is a large bronze statue depicting the meeting of Peter and Jesus. Jesus asked him three times, "Do you love me?" This was to counter the three times Peter had denied Him. (Remember that Peter was warming his hands over a charcoal fire at the denial, and that Jesus had built a charcoal fire on the shore-- no coincidence here!) Then Jesus told him three times to "Feed my sheep." Peter was hereby given the task of guiding the early church as its leader. One half of the rock is still on the shore, the other half is in the church.