After leaving Caesarea, we continued south to Jaffa where we heard Mass at St. Perer the Apostle Church. This is where St. Peter baptized the first Gentile, Cornelius, into the Christian community. It is also where Peter restored Tabitha to life and lived with Simon, the tanner. We could date the time when non-Jews were accepted as Christians to this city on the Mediterranean.
There is a lot of contrast in Jaffa -- in one area, it is a clean modern city with high rise buildings. The boulevards are lined with palm trees -- there are parks, canals, tulips blooming everywhere. The name 'Jaffa' means "beautiful" in the Hebrew language, and it is a beautiful city. It is a port city, and has always been important as a station on the Via Maris. The founder of Jaffa was thought to be Japhet, the son of Noah. Another name for Jaffa is Joppa.
The Old City contrasts with its crowded, boxed-in, and ugly apartment buildings. Laundry is hanging out, and garbage and rubble line the streets. Historically, the old city can be traced back to 1468 B.C. when the Egyptian Pharoah Thutmose III conquered the city.
After dinner in Jaffa, we traveled onward to Tel Aviv and the Ben Gurion Airport to catch our flights home. Tel Aviv was established in 1909 by a group of Jewish families. It is considered Israel's most cosmopolitan Mediterranean city, with elegant shops and restaurants.
Our plane departed after 10 PM with no problems with security. I even slept on the way home, and only had a little bit of 'jet-lag.' This was a life-changing pilgrimage, and I thank God that I was allowed to be a part of it.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
On the Sea Coast
As I mentioned before, water is pumped from the Sea of Galilee to the desert for irrigation of farm land. Two-thirds of Israel is desert -- hard rock desert, not sand. Archeological digs are everywhere in the Holy Land.
Galilee, though, is fertile, and the vegetation is lovely in this area. Acacia trees are small, compact, with yellow flowers. Everywhere one sees red poppies and yellow wildflowers blooming in the spring. White, fuschia, and orange bouganvillas grow in large trees. Hibiscus are grown here as hedges, and ground covers included blooming cyclamens.
Olive trees are a mainstay in all of Israel. They need little care after planting, just occasional pruning. Anyone can plant a tree and let it grow. Harvesting the olives fills all one's needs; the olives are nutritious, the oil is used for fuel, cooking , and beauty products. The olive trees we saw in the Garden of Gethsamane were present during the time of Jesus. The bigger around the trunk, the older the tree. They must live forever, and are never cut down by the Israelites. It takes five years for a tree to bear olives, however.
Following lunch, we traveled along the coast to Caesarea. This is a restored Crusader city which was originally constructed by Herod in 20 BC and named for Augustus Caesar. This city is where Peter converted the first pagan to Christianity, a man named Cornelius. Paul started his journey to Tarsus from this location after being imprisoned here for a brief time. We stopped at the Mediterranean Sea and the remains of a Roman aqueduct, where we ate ice cream from a vendor and waded in the beautiful sea.
Galilee, though, is fertile, and the vegetation is lovely in this area. Acacia trees are small, compact, with yellow flowers. Everywhere one sees red poppies and yellow wildflowers blooming in the spring. White, fuschia, and orange bouganvillas grow in large trees. Hibiscus are grown here as hedges, and ground covers included blooming cyclamens.
Olive trees are a mainstay in all of Israel. They need little care after planting, just occasional pruning. Anyone can plant a tree and let it grow. Harvesting the olives fills all one's needs; the olives are nutritious, the oil is used for fuel, cooking , and beauty products. The olive trees we saw in the Garden of Gethsamane were present during the time of Jesus. The bigger around the trunk, the older the tree. They must live forever, and are never cut down by the Israelites. It takes five years for a tree to bear olives, however.
Following lunch, we traveled along the coast to Caesarea. This is a restored Crusader city which was originally constructed by Herod in 20 BC and named for Augustus Caesar. This city is where Peter converted the first pagan to Christianity, a man named Cornelius. Paul started his journey to Tarsus from this location after being imprisoned here for a brief time. We stopped at the Mediterranean Sea and the remains of a Roman aqueduct, where we ate ice cream from a vendor and waded in the beautiful sea.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
In Haifa
Saturday, March 26, was our last day in the Holy Land, but it was packed with more sights and information! We left the beautiful Mountain of Beatitudes and the hostel around 8:30 AM and went to Haifa in the Mt. Carmel range. The Prophet Elijhah was said to live in this area, and his cave is inside the Carmelite Stella Maris Church on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. It is the largest Carmelite Monastery of the order. Stella Maris means "Star of the Sea." A lighthouse is nearby watching over the busy harbor. Haifa is a modern city with high-tech industries, many museums and two universities. It includes a main refinery built by the British after World War I.
From the monastery, it is 20 km to the top of Mt. Carmel. Another peak of the mount is called 'the place of burning,' venerated where Elijah challenged the false prophets of Baal. Jezebel and Ahab had caused the Jews to worship idols, so Elijah called down fire from heaven to light a holocaust when the 450 other prophets couldn't. He then slit their throats (Kings 1:18)!
Elijah is the forerunner of John the Baptist, who was the forerunner of Jesus. He is mentioned three times in the New Testament. He is also the one who raised someone from the dead. He didn't die, but was raised into Heaven. He walked forty days in the desert and heard God's voice in the small whispering sound in the mountain! He was the most important prophet in the Old Testament,and bears an unique relationship with Jesus. However, Jesus didn't kill anyone!
From the sea and from the highway, we saw the Bahai Temple set in cascading terraces of formal gardens. This is an Arabic monument with 180 steps to the temple!
We walked to St. Joseph's Church for Mass, and then went back to the monastery for lunch. We were served by Carmelite nuns!
From the monastery, it is 20 km to the top of Mt. Carmel. Another peak of the mount is called 'the place of burning,' venerated where Elijah challenged the false prophets of Baal. Jezebel and Ahab had caused the Jews to worship idols, so Elijah called down fire from heaven to light a holocaust when the 450 other prophets couldn't. He then slit their throats (Kings 1:18)!
Elijah is the forerunner of John the Baptist, who was the forerunner of Jesus. He is mentioned three times in the New Testament. He is also the one who raised someone from the dead. He didn't die, but was raised into Heaven. He walked forty days in the desert and heard God's voice in the small whispering sound in the mountain! He was the most important prophet in the Old Testament,and bears an unique relationship with Jesus. However, Jesus didn't kill anyone!
From the sea and from the highway, we saw the Bahai Temple set in cascading terraces of formal gardens. This is an Arabic monument with 180 steps to the temple!
We walked to St. Joseph's Church for Mass, and then went back to the monastery for lunch. We were served by Carmelite nuns!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Mt. Tabor
On Friday, the day before we left, we went up to Mount Tabor. At 1850 ft. elevation, it is the highest point in Israel, and the place of the Transfiguration. Tabor is thought to be the most majestic of mountains. Rocks where Our Lord stood can be seen under glass on the top level of the church. We looked over the parapet here, and Bassem showed us the plain known as the Via Maris, or 'route by the sea." This was the trading route taken by Egyptians, Mesopotamians, etc. through the mountains of Galilee. The area was between the mountains of Galilee, Syria, and Judea. The route started next to the Mediterranean Sea. Excavations in this area have shown it to be at least 8000 years old!
We had to take taxis up the mountain, since the tour buses were not equipped for such a steep climb. As we arrived, we saw lots of ruins from previous times. The mountain itself is rounded, and can be seen from any place in eastern Galilee.
Early Christians built a church here in the 5th century and Crusaders built a monastery here which was later destroyed in the 12th century. Franciscans rebuilt the church in the 17th century. We went to Mass in the Basilica of the Transfiguration which includes some stunning mosaics of the Transfiguration. Three chapels inside the church commemorate Peter's suggestion of making three tabernacles for Elijah, Jesus, and Moses. Peter was always the impetuous one -- the one who had to 'take charge.' What a heart-stopping moment this must have been for the apostles.
We had to take taxis up the mountain, since the tour buses were not equipped for such a steep climb. As we arrived, we saw lots of ruins from previous times. The mountain itself is rounded, and can be seen from any place in eastern Galilee.
Early Christians built a church here in the 5th century and Crusaders built a monastery here which was later destroyed in the 12th century. Franciscans rebuilt the church in the 17th century. We went to Mass in the Basilica of the Transfiguration which includes some stunning mosaics of the Transfiguration. Three chapels inside the church commemorate Peter's suggestion of making three tabernacles for Elijah, Jesus, and Moses. Peter was always the impetuous one -- the one who had to 'take charge.' What a heart-stopping moment this must have been for the apostles.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Marriage in the time of Jesus
In keeping with our visit to Cana, our guide told us some interesting things about marriage in the time of Jesus. Greeks evidently had a low opinion of women. They had to stay at home, cook, clean, and take care of the children. They were not allowed to show their face or talk to men in public. However, men had concubines and could get a divorce easily (but not the women). Prostitution was common, and young, educated women were often the mistresses of important men, often writing their public speeches.
Roman men were heads of the entire family. Their daughters could make no decisions. They killed infant girls if they didn't want them. The custom was to hold thumbs either up or down when they were born. When the Romans conquered the Greeks, they levied taxes on the unmarried.
With Jews, it was shameful if a grown man didn't marry (another mark against Jesus!). Divorces were common since the priests had relaxed the observance of the Twelve Commandments. In one conservative school, a man could divorce his wife if she had no child or had sexual relations with another. In the liberal school, men could divorce wives for ANY reason -- her looks, her clothing, her cooking, her voice. This is one of the reasons why Jesus came down so strict on the institution of marriage.
Roman men were heads of the entire family. Their daughters could make no decisions. They killed infant girls if they didn't want them. The custom was to hold thumbs either up or down when they were born. When the Romans conquered the Greeks, they levied taxes on the unmarried.
With Jews, it was shameful if a grown man didn't marry (another mark against Jesus!). Divorces were common since the priests had relaxed the observance of the Twelve Commandments. In one conservative school, a man could divorce his wife if she had no child or had sexual relations with another. In the liberal school, men could divorce wives for ANY reason -- her looks, her clothing, her cooking, her voice. This is one of the reasons why Jesus came down so strict on the institution of marriage.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Notes about Cana and Jewish sects
In Cana, we renewed our marriage vows in the Church of the Miracle, where Jesus' first miracle was believed to have taken place. Two churches are here; one is Greek Orthodox, and the other was built by Franciscans in 1879 on top of a 4th century church built by Jewish Christians. Displayed inside the church is a huge stone jar -- a replica of the stone jars used for purification.
In John's gospel, he uses signs that point elsewhere. The water and wine mixed at the Eucharistic celebration; the loss of Adam's rib that made him vulnerable, but completed by Eve; Christ's side being lanced and blood and water poured out; the mingling of wine and water at the marriage feast. Christ is the bridegroom and the Church is His bride. Cana therefore prefigures Calvary. The six stone jars used for purification contained twenty gallons each of water. The number '7' signifies completion; the number '6' is incomplete, waiting for another event.
Further information from our local guide, Bassem, included the types of Jews who had lived in Israel at the time of Jesus. There were four sects: 1. Pharisees -- the term means to 'separate.'
They kept themselves away from sinners, Romans, Gentiles, etc. They were strict on the law and the customs. Hasidic Jews are their descendants. 2. Sadducees -- These were in the line of priests in charge of the temple. Money changing in the temple afforded them income, and were the aristocrats of society. They might be the Conservative Jews today. 3. Essenes - they were ascetics who lived apart from the rest, and thought themselves preparing the way for a new kingdom. It is thought by scholars that Jesus was an Essene. 4. Zealots - the militant Jews who were looking for someone to free them from Roman rule. Judas was probably a Zealot.
Nowadays, Bassem told us that the Jews come from four different groups: 1. the Sephardic Jews who come from Spain and have dark skin, eyes, and hair, 2. the Ashkenazi come from Eastern Europe and Germany -- they are the intellectual ones, 3. Russian Jews who number 1.4 million and are mostly in the medical fields, and 4. Ethiopian Jews who number about 350,000. We saw a number of black-skinned Jews while in the Holy Land.
In John's gospel, he uses signs that point elsewhere. The water and wine mixed at the Eucharistic celebration; the loss of Adam's rib that made him vulnerable, but completed by Eve; Christ's side being lanced and blood and water poured out; the mingling of wine and water at the marriage feast. Christ is the bridegroom and the Church is His bride. Cana therefore prefigures Calvary. The six stone jars used for purification contained twenty gallons each of water. The number '7' signifies completion; the number '6' is incomplete, waiting for another event.
Further information from our local guide, Bassem, included the types of Jews who had lived in Israel at the time of Jesus. There were four sects: 1. Pharisees -- the term means to 'separate.'
They kept themselves away from sinners, Romans, Gentiles, etc. They were strict on the law and the customs. Hasidic Jews are their descendants. 2. Sadducees -- These were in the line of priests in charge of the temple. Money changing in the temple afforded them income, and were the aristocrats of society. They might be the Conservative Jews today. 3. Essenes - they were ascetics who lived apart from the rest, and thought themselves preparing the way for a new kingdom. It is thought by scholars that Jesus was an Essene. 4. Zealots - the militant Jews who were looking for someone to free them from Roman rule. Judas was probably a Zealot.
Nowadays, Bassem told us that the Jews come from four different groups: 1. the Sephardic Jews who come from Spain and have dark skin, eyes, and hair, 2. the Ashkenazi come from Eastern Europe and Germany -- they are the intellectual ones, 3. Russian Jews who number 1.4 million and are mostly in the medical fields, and 4. Ethiopian Jews who number about 350,000. We saw a number of black-skinned Jews while in the Holy Land.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Notes about the Galileean area
The Galilee area is about 1500 square miles and is very fertile due to the electrical and irrigation systems. Towns are usually set against a hill, with the crops laid out in level fields in the valleys. Rocks are scattered profusely around the hills, resembling sheep, and the sheep in turn, resemble the rocks! Sheep are very stupid animals -- trusting and vunerable; no wonder they have to be shepherded.
On Friday, we traveled to Cana, the site of Jesus' first miracle. Driving through the town, I noticed that all the dwellings were three-storied, box-like, with flat roofs and no carports or garages, built very close to each other. The people who live here must all be apartment dwellers; there is no landscaping, flowers, or grass here. Twelve million people live in Galilee.
Our local guide gave us a little history about the area. Judea is surrounded by desert, but Galilee is surrounded by other nations: Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. Back in Jesus' time, the towns that seemed to be hotbeds of rebellion were controlled by garrisons of Roman soldiers. Loyal towns like Capernaum had Senate control and only a contingent of 50-60 soldiers led by a centurion.
Galilee was a good area for framing and craftmen. Builders were needed, and Joseph was a builder, so that is why the Holy Family moved to Nazareth; he could make a living here. Commerce was good because trade was possible with Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Syria, Jordan, etc.
Bassem, our guide, explained the meaning of the Jewish word, "kibbutz." It is a gathering; a community village wherein the residents get no salaries, but do get lodging, food, benefits, education for their children in exchange for working the land that is leased by the State. The early State of Israel set these up so that Jews would get tied to the land -- a form of socialism. There are more than 250 kibbutzes in Israel. Children are often sent there from other locations to be educated. Now, these places have museums, hospitals, etc. The income derived is reinvested. The kibbutzes are declining in number because the younger Jews are not interested in living in a socialist community.
On Friday, we traveled to Cana, the site of Jesus' first miracle. Driving through the town, I noticed that all the dwellings were three-storied, box-like, with flat roofs and no carports or garages, built very close to each other. The people who live here must all be apartment dwellers; there is no landscaping, flowers, or grass here. Twelve million people live in Galilee.
Our local guide gave us a little history about the area. Judea is surrounded by desert, but Galilee is surrounded by other nations: Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. Back in Jesus' time, the towns that seemed to be hotbeds of rebellion were controlled by garrisons of Roman soldiers. Loyal towns like Capernaum had Senate control and only a contingent of 50-60 soldiers led by a centurion.
Galilee was a good area for framing and craftmen. Builders were needed, and Joseph was a builder, so that is why the Holy Family moved to Nazareth; he could make a living here. Commerce was good because trade was possible with Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Syria, Jordan, etc.
Bassem, our guide, explained the meaning of the Jewish word, "kibbutz." It is a gathering; a community village wherein the residents get no salaries, but do get lodging, food, benefits, education for their children in exchange for working the land that is leased by the State. The early State of Israel set these up so that Jews would get tied to the land -- a form of socialism. There are more than 250 kibbutzes in Israel. Children are often sent there from other locations to be educated. Now, these places have museums, hospitals, etc. The income derived is reinvested. The kibbutzes are declining in number because the younger Jews are not interested in living in a socialist community.
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