Walking on Water

Well, I haven't yet learned how do do this. Nevertheless, I am as close as possible to being able to walk on water. Our recent travels have brought us to a nice German run pilgrim house, situated right on the Western shore of the sea of Galilee. If I calm any storms I will let you know.

Speaking of storms, we actually had a snowstorm in Bethlehem on Dec. 27. The locals were surprised at getting a white Christmas; usually the snow comes in March in this region, if it comes. Finally, we have said good by to Bethlehem, our home in the West Bank. The rest of our nights will be spent in Israel proper.

As of Monday, we have been touring freely. We have no classes scheduled until next Tuesday. There are tremendous things to see on all sides of Galilee. On New Year's, we basically just got ourselves to Nazareth once again, and had Mass in the impressive Basilica of the Annunciation. This is a modern Church built over two previous Churchs that all commemorated the cave where Mary was greeted by the angel Gabriel. In the time of Christ, there was no above ground housing in Nazareth. It was a small community of no more than 300, all dwelling in caves. And now it is 70,000.

Today and yesterday were days of travel to many archaelogical ruins of ancient Roman, Jewish, or Greek importance. Very notable is that we were in Sepphoris and Bet Shearim, to of the homes of Rabbi Yehuda Hanassi. He was an important rabbi in the second century and headed the Sanhedrin, I believe. We have seen sites from the Crusaders, Akko, north of Haifa on the Mediterranean. Others are of some biblical import: Chorazin, Kursi (Gerasene) and tomorrow we will see Capernaum.

For now, I will remember God's blessings in my life as I walk the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Happy New Year!