I have been to the Holy Land twice and am looking forward to a return trip sometime in the future - the near future, I hope.  I love the Sea of Galilee and the whole area surrounding it.  I feel as though I am HOME when there.  I feel that the Presence of Jesus is still felt in the Holy Land today. 

The village of Capernaum is captivating!  The home of Peter's mother-in-law can still be seen today.  There is a church built above the home, where our group was blessed to celebrate mass in 2008.  From that point, you can walk a few hundred yards to the Sea of Galilee.  How many times did Jesus walk that same path? 

In the near future, I will post something I wrote upon my return from my first trip to this sacred land.

In the gospel of Matthew, Chapter 3, we read of John the Baptist proclaiming the kingdom of God to crowds of people.  They could not resist his commanding voice.  People came from all over Judea and Jerusalem to be baptized by John in the Jordan River.  John was a tall and strong man, having fed on such things as locusts and wild honey most of his life.  His voice was strong and very commanding at times, but he could be gentle and caring as well.  People came daily to him for baptism.  He told each one, "I am baptizing you with water...but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.  I am not worthy to carry his sandals.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." 

John was a few months older than his cousin Jesus.  But, whenever their parents would get together for a visit, Jesus had been the dominant figure.  John would love to listen to his cousin tell parables.  Even at a young age, Jesus taught John many things about life and about His Father.  John would sit in rapt attention for hours, questioning little and listening intensely.

As John was baptizing one clear day, he saw Jesus walking towards him.  Jesus asked also for baptism as the others before Him had done.  John was baffled and said to his cousin, "I need to be baptized by you..."  Jesus told John that it should be done this way to fulfill the prophecies.  As John baptized his cousin, his Messiah, Jesus arose from the water and a voice from the heavens proclaimed, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."  Jesus and John looked at one another in total understanding.  Slowly, Jesus walked to the shore on His way towards the beginning of a new life and the start of a beautiful and sacred ministry.

As John the Baptist proclaimed repentence and the kingdom of God, so too are we called to proclaim His kingdom through our daily actions and through our faith.  John was strong both physically and spiritually.  In his gospel, Saint Matthew will tell us these words Our Lord spoke about His cousin, "...among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

What beautiful words these are which Jesus spoke to His disciples.  Except for Jesus Christ, no one is greater; no one has had more influence over others than John the Baptist.  However, the least in God's kingdom is greater than John.  This bears repeating, "...the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."  We are greater than John the Baptist.  We have the influence, the love and the faith that John the Baptist experienced if we only look inside oursevles.  Jesus loves each of us as much as He loved His cousin, John.  God has blessed each one of us with His gift of life.  Now, we must in turn do our part.  We must go forth and proclaim to others what Jesus has done in our lives and how His love has affected us.  We must share our experiences with others.  We must not be afraid to speak of God's love for us and how He has changed us.  Let us go forth into the world and speak openly of our beliefs, our faith and our love for God. 

He is asking each one of us to be bold and to step out in faith and in love.  He is asking each one of us to reach out to others that they also may be brought closer to His loving, sacred heart.  He graces us each day with His beauty through the world He created for us.  He restores us each time we go to Him for healing in the sacrament of reconciliation.  He graces us each day with His life through the holy sacrament of the Eucharist.  He graces us each day with His love through the creation of each other.  Go forth and spread the message of His love to the hearts of others.

"For many reasons we should love."  These were some of the first words the guide spoke to a group of thirty-five men and women as they began an inspiring trip to the Holy Land.  They would come to learn more about the people of this land which is so rich in political and religious history and so breathtaking in it beauty.  Over 2000 years ago, Jesus walked this land.  As He stood upon the shores of the Sea of Galilee, did He look into the future and see those who would one day visit the land where He lived?  Did He see those who would one day breathe its invigorating air, delight in its simple beauty and cherish His Presence which is still felt here today?

The Holy Land is steeped in religious history not only of the Christian faith, but also of Jewish and Muslim faith as well.  It should be a land of harmony, where all people can worship their God as they choose.  It is a land for everyone.  Whenever pilgrims travel in the Holy Land, they feel the presence of Jesus fill their spirits.

One of the most compelling sights is the sun rising on the Sea of Galilee in the morning light.  The theologian, Dietrich von Hildebrand once said, "To whom will the sublime beauty of a sunset or a Ninth Symphony of Beethoven reveal itself, but to him who approaches it reverently and unlocks his heart to it?"  Let us unlock our heart to God's majesty and love.

Since visiting the Holy Land, I find that when I now attend mass I recall so many holy places in Galilee, Jerusalem and throughout the Holy Land.  Mass has become so alive, so intimate. 

I will be taking a beautiful trip to Rome, Assisi, Florence, Venice and Germany in a few months.  These stunning European cities will be breathtaking to behold with so many place to visit.  We will travel through the Black Forest and see the amazing Alps!! 

Yet, my heart longs to return to Galilee.  I recall my first visit to the Holy Land.  One night, our group was returning from a long day of sightseeing.  The sun had set and the moon had risen as we drove towards the Sea of Galilee.  The bus turned a corner in the road when suddenly the moon hung in breathtaking beauty above the Sea of Galilee and reflected its rays upon the sea.  My breath caught in my throat.  I had put my camera away due to the darkness.  How I wished that I was able to take a picture and capture the beauty of God's glory that I saw with my eyes.  I have never forgotten that scene and never will. 

There is something very special about the Sea of Galilee.  I know Jesus still walks along the edge of the sea gazing at its beauty.  He also gazes into the hearts of those pilgrims who come from all over the world today and who also walk along its shores.  The Presence of Jesus is alive today.  If you walk slowly and listen, you can hear Him calling your name as He called Peter, James and John 2000 years ago.  His Presence remains with you when you return to your home.  Feel His love within you.