Monday, March 28, 2011

Mt. Tabor and the Sea of Galilee

It was up early again this morning. Our first destination was Mt Tabor, the traditional site of the transfiguration. The name of the mountain is never named in the gospels, but we do know that Jesus was in the Jezreel valley. The scriptures speak of Jesus going to a "high place" with Peter, James and John. Mt. Tabor is the highest area around. There is some evidence of tradition among the earliest Christians that it was Tabor which Jesus climbed with his disciples. The place has been a devotional destination since the 4th century when a church was built there. Later, like so many other places, the Persians invaded in the 6th century and destroyed most of the christian structures. The church lay in ruins until the crusaders arrived and built a fortification and large church at the summit. That church was laid to ruins when the crusaders lost their stronghold in the Holy Land. The place was given to the Franciscans by the Ottomans in the 16th century. A church was rebuilt there and rebuilt again in 1930. The architect Berluzzi who built several other structures marking the biblical sites made this the great opus of his life.

The facade of thge basilica of the Transfirguration on Mt Tabor. The design is based on Peter's desire to build three "booths" there to commemorate the event of Jesus's Transfiguration.
The main nave and the high altar. There is a crypt altar below the rail visible at the bottom of the photo. That is where we celebrated Mass among some of the most beautiful mosaics we have seen.
The byzantine style mosaic, (gold background) with Jesus flanked by Moses and Elijah who appeared. Stanind alone to the left is Peter, to the right is James and John.  
Fr. Anthony Nyugen at the offertory of the Mass. Notice the mosaic in the background. This is one of four mosaics in this chapel showing the revelation of Christ to the world. The three angels remind us of the three angels who appeared to Abraham to establish the covenant. Here, it is the Eucharist; the central angel is holding the chalice and the host.
Our group celebrating Mass in the grotto.
Final prayer at Mass.
The revelation of Jesus at the Incarnation.
The revelation of Jesus in the Eucharist.
The revelation of Jesus in the Resurrection.
Jesus revealed as the Lamb of God
In the base of the each tower is a small chapel, this one dedicated to Moses.
The chapel dedicated to Elijah who offers sacrifice.
From Mount Tabor, we drove back towards the Sea of Galilee to lunch. Following lunch we went for a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. It was the opportunity to reflect on the gospel passages refering the Jesus on the Sea of Galilee; the calming of the waves, and walking on the water. We were all Americans on the boat, so they hoisted the American flag as well as the Israeli flag.

Old Glory waving over the Sea of Galilee.
Sailing on the Sea of Galilee.
View back to shore from the middle of the lake.
Our next stop was the Church of the Multiplication of loaves and fishes. This site has always been recognized as the place where Jesus fed the 5000. The oral tradition of the early Christians persisted for many years. A church existed here and was destroyed by the Persians. This was not a site rebuilt by the crusaders. It remained a desolate place for centuries. The land was given to agriculture. In the late 19th century, a mosaic was discovered which astonished the biblical world. A 3rd century mosaic showing a basket of bread and fish. A small church was built on the spot. In the 1930's German Benedictines acquired the place and built the beautifully simple church we see today.
The cortile and narthex of the the church of the Multiplication of loaves and fishes.
The 3rd century "loaves and fishes" mosaic unearthed has now been placed back in the floor of the new basilica.
The altar with its beautiful light hanging over the altar. It reminded me of our advent wreath.
We returned to the center for the night. We gathered in the chapel for night prayer and then dinner. All the priests are gathered in the next room and making lots of noise. So I am going to join them. It is up at 6AM tomorrow morning because we are "going up to Jerusalem"

Hosanna.