Saturday, April 11, 2009
Sermon on the Mount
When we left Tabgha, we didn’t have to travel far to get to our next stop. On the way, we passed the Greek Orthodox Church on the outskirts of Capernaum (or rather, the excavations of Capernaum).
We also passed this Franciscan church, although I didn’t hear a specific name for it.
Our next destination was the Mount of Beatitudes. The Basilica of the Mount of Beatitudes was built by the Franciscans in 1937 on the hillside where Jesus preached his Sermon on the Mount overlooking the Sea of Galilee. In 1935, remains of a small Byzantine church were discovered nearby, but the Franciscans opted to not rebuild the modern church over the ancient chapel. The octagonal basilica recalls the eight blessings which are inscribed on the inside walls, with the ninth inside the dome. The seven theological and cardinal virtues are also included on the walls inside the basilica: faith, hope, charity (love), prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude.
The yellow gold inside represents the sun, which always shines here. The acoustics inside the basilica were great. When I walked inside, a small group of individuals were singing a capella, and their words reverberated and were magnified inside the basilica. I’m not sure what they were singing, and couldn’t even read the music (it reminded me of the music in the mass book I received at the Vatican), but it sounded beautiful.“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
-- Matthew 5: 3-12
The hillside and view of the Sea of Galilee was stunning. I felt an amazing peace as I wandered the grounds. I even passed another tour group (after my group had disbanded to look around on our own), and overheard the guide comment about acoustic studies that were done there. She was in the crowd of 5,000 people who were trying to confirm if this could be the location of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. She said the acoustics were such that everyone there on the hillside -- all 5,000 people -- could hear the speaker when he talked (with out a microphone or any other aid). Science proved that the acoustics are correct, and that this really was where Jesus could have been heard by the multitude!
Wow! I was in awe at simply being here, but hearing the guide tell her story sent chills down my spine. I was really walking where Jesus had walked. Yes, I did so in Jerusalem, Gethsemane and Nazareth, but this was where he preached to the masses.
It was very peaceful and quiet here, with a wonderful view of the Sea of Galilee stretching out to the south -- I could have stayed much longer than our tour allowed.
Behind the Basilica of the Mount of Beatitudes is another building as well as a nuns’ hostel (nuns run this basilica). These mosaics were on the walkway up the hill toward those buildings. Visiting here was definitely one of the major highlights of my trip to Israel.
