We woke up excited to go to Tabgha to stay there for 4 days so we packed our belongings and then we went to the mass at St. Joseph’s church at 6:30 a.m. then we had our breakfast at 7:00 a.m. Along the way we have had the opportunity to know every village where Jesus walked and proclaimed God’s kingdom. For some of us we knew the lake for first time and our heartbeat accelerated so much. It is quite amazing.

We visited St. Peter’s church in Tiberias, while we were there we sang a song: “Only let me hear you say those words again: come and follow me”, which let us to renew our own call and to confirm God’s presence and in all the promises contained in the Sacred Scriptures as Father Theodore said, so to commit ourselves to bring others in God’s presence in this century.

We were delighted with St. Peter’s fish as our nice lunch on the lakeshore. While we were waiting we shared our feelings about how blessed we are. Of course we did it in a nice restaurant but at the time of Jesus, they did it sitting in the sand, on the rocks, telling their happiness, sadness and so on.

After our nice lunch we decided to go to the First Century Boat and we boarded two taxis but each group went to different places so finally we met at Magdala Centre, where a kindly Mexican volunteer (Gustavo) guided us to the place, where they are doing archaeological excavations. There is a first century synagogue, a spirituality Centre, which is called “Duc in Altum”: “Put out into the deep”, and a chapel with no special symbol like cross or menorah in order to welcome every religion. Some of us were attracted by the Madgalena Institute for Women calling to mind the role of the woman in the gospel and in the society.

From that place we walked 1 kilometer more or less in order to take the bus. We had such a fantastic day. It is impossible to express our feeling having this opportunity.

In my personal experience it has been a great blessing because God has guided me to this Holy Land where I try to listen his words: “Come and follow me”, especially at this time of my life. How can I abandon myself in his hand? But this week has enriched my life and my spiritual journey and Jesus is much more alive to me so it is wonderful to confirm this: “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me” Is. 49, 16. I am so glad to be part of the Sion family.

IN SION FIRMATA SUM

written by Clara