Today the Sea of Galilee was as smooth as glass…calm… peaceful. The dull hum of the boat’s motor beneath us wasn’t jarring as we rode the wooden boat upon the sea. The Sea of Galilee is mentioned several times in the New Testament; however Jesus’ travels on the Sea of Galilee were not simply a calm boat ride.

Today we not only took in the beauty of the smooth and soothing waters of the Sea of Galilee, we also took in a geography and culture lesson. If one draws an imaginary line north to south (from where

the Jordon River enters the Sea of Galilee to where the water drains from the Sea of Galilee), one has a sense of the boundary that existed between Jews and Gentiles. Gentiles were considered outsiders by the Jewish people, described in the Gospel of Mark as “unclean.” To cross the Sea of Galilee is to enter the territory of the “other”. Yet Jesus crosses this very body of water and this boundary again and again.

Perhaps these accounts are familiar to us. Do we realize how radical

these boat trips were? My mind travels to another part of our day. Earlier in the morning, we traveled to Tel Dan, a city dating back to Old Testament times. This city is over 3,000 years old and yet the city walls and supports for the gate of the city still stand; both crafted to best protect the people from unwanted outsiders. The division of the Sea of Galilee, the city walls of Dan, both efforts to protect one from “others”.

I am sure some things haven’t changed. I’m sure we each have a boundary, a line, a place that just seems to be too far for us to go and yet across that line, in some way, God is at work. This is what Jesus models for us over and over again in the Gospel of Mark, the Gospel we recounted today on the Sea of Galilee. Perhaps the author of this gospel knew we need that reminder, that repetition of the boundaries Jesus crosses, how far God is willing to go

Although not quite the same our group perhaps crossed a boundary line of our own today by breaking out of our own insecurities and Lutheran stereotypes. Today we sang, clapped and danced as our boat sailed on the Sea of Galilee. Often the speaker systems on these boats are used to play the national anthem of those who are taking the boat ride. We used our time on the water differently, we recounted the portions of Mark’s gospel that mention the Sea of Galilee, we had devotions led by Cynthia, we fed the birds and then we danced. I’m not sure how it happened, but it did and here is proof!

Dancing the Harma

"Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song,

his praise in the assembly of the faithful... Let them praise his name with dancing..."

- Psalm 149:1,3a.

The Great Outdoors...

“From today’s experience, what will you most want to share with folks back home?” This is one of the many reflective questions that is asked as we gather each evening. Uggg. It is a hard question! I have been thinking about you, dear readers, all day. We have traveled to a variety of places. This morning we traveled to the Mount of the Beatitudes, where Jesus is said to have given his Sermon on the Mount. Next we traveled to the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes and viewed the rock (now within a church) where the miracle is said to have occurred. Later we journeyed to Capernaum to view the remains of Peter’s house and closed our day with a trip to an archeological site of a Roman city close to Nazareth (a city where carpenters in the area often found work- perhaps even Jesus practiced Joseph''s trade here!). The last bit of our day was a tour of the kibbutz associated with where we are staying. To share all that I have experienced today would be overwhelming, so I will share this….

I am surprised that the places where I feel most connected to the scripture we are reading, thus far, are in the outdoor spaces, the landscape that surrounds us rather than within the ornamental churches. Today when we visited the Mount of the Beatitudes, we not only took in the beautiful church but took time to have our devotions seated on rocks in the garden looking down upon the Sea of Galilee.

As Craig read the Sermon on the Mount, I thought of persons back home who come to mind as I hear these words…“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted…” (Matthew 5:3-4) There in the garden we listened to Jesus’ entire sermon as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. There were even birds chirping above us as we heard the words “Look at the birds of the air, they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26). I am sure I will not hear the words of this sermon in the same way again whether I am here in the Holy Land or back home in Minnesota. As we were listening, one of our group who was seated near the sidewalk in the garden, noticed that other visitors slowed down, even stopped to take in the words of Jesus we were reading. These words drew crowds in Jesus’ time and still have the power to gather us together today.

As you read this blog, I invite you to take the time to read a bit of scripture with us. The passages connected with our journey can be found on the “Connecting Places and Pages” tab. You do not have to be in the Holy Land to experience the power of these words. By the diverse groups of people we encounter at every site we visit, we are reminded of just how far these words can travel and the power they hold.

It is truly a blessed thing.

Our group at the archeological site, Zippori…..

Some things have changed after 2,000 years...

“How many layers do we build to bury that core?” That was the question Nancy asked in response to our day and the sights we have seen. We have traveled from Tel Aviv to Caesarea to Mt. Carmel and through the Jezreel Valley to Nazareth. Now we find ourselves at the Sea of Galilee. Many of us are realizing that traveling the Holy Land is complicated. That not only are there layers of history literally built on top of one another but we encounter layers within ourselves, the expectations and mental images that we bring to this place and our own responses as our experiences surprise us.

What brought about this conversation was our visit to the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Tradition holds that this is the place where the angel, Gabriel, came to Mary. The experience of Nazareth, a bustling city, and this modern church surprised many of us. The Basilica was built in 1969, far from being old, especially in this land. However, we were told it was built on the ruins of three churches: one from the time of the Byzantines, one built during the Crusades and one around the time of the Middle Ages. These layers sit on top of what is believed to be Mary’s home. Deciphering the different layers becomes difficult. It seems, that each of us most go on our own journey to discover what is significant to us. For some, it is the Cave of the Annunciation for others the gifts of art (some very modern) from various nations that add beauty to this basilica.

The Basilica of the Annunciation,

including the Cave and artwork given by the United States...

How does the modern exist alongside the biblical sites we have journeyed to see? How as pilgrims will we find what we are seeking to draw from this trip in such layers of architecture and expectations?

For Nancy tonight, it was the simplicity and calm of the Sea of Galilee that made her feel connected on her journey. When one thinks of the Holy Land, often one thinks of Jerusalem, however, it is in Nazareth and around the Sea of Galilee that Jesus spent most of his life. We look forward to our next few days here and what will touch us next.

Some images from our day….

Caesarea...

The Monastery at Mt. Carmel...

Devotions at Mt. Carmel

P.S. Our last traveler arrived safely last night, we are now a complete 34!

"Welcome Home"

There is so much to write but let's start with the facts. After 5,937 miles on a plane beginning in Newark, New Jersey, our group has arrived in Tel Aviv. Right now there are 33 of us. Two of our to-be travelers were unable to make the trip and another is coming on another flight. We hope that tomorrow we will be a complete 34. The 33 of us who are here arrived safely with all our luggage (thanks be to God!). We are tired but many of us took the opportunity to dig our toes into the sand along the Mediterranian Sea (which is across the street from our hotel!) after supper tonight.

You might be wondering about the title of this post. These are the words that Yousef, our guide used to welcome us to the Holy Land. He believes that the Holy Land is, in a way, home for every Christian since it is the land where Christ walked. I thought of his words again as we gathered tonight to share our hopes for this trip. Cheryl, one of our group, shared these thoughts on home, "One of the best ways to get to know a person is to visit their home. That is what we're doing, we are visiting Jesus' home..." That is an awesome possibility for this group, to grow so close to the things we have read about in scripture.

Some of us hope to brush up on our geography, some yearn to fed spiritually on this trip, and some are here because their spouse said "Let's go to the Holy Land". Whatever the reason I'm sure we will encounter things that will change scripture for us and shape us and perhaps you, as you follow our journey, may learn a bit about, as Yousef put it, home.

Tomorrow we travel to the Plain of Sharon, Caesarea, and Galilee! Let the journeying begin!

Do I have what I need???

As the scribe for our group, I hope to represent more of our group experience when we begin our travels. However, right now, I feel a bit on my own. Now comes the task, as my fellow travelers I'm sure are doing in their own homes this week, of trying to pack.

I have a lot of books.

Among the information given to us for our trip was a list of recommended or suggested reading. These are books I was intending to read or re-read prior to our departure on Feb 14th. Now I am wondering which of them I should pack...

Will I know what I will need to know to make the most of this journey?

I was reminded again this week at seminary that this is often the case for those who pick up the Bible. Scripture can be very foreign to us. So many places and names to remember! Even after eight years of theological education (four in college as a religion major and four in seminary), I still find myself asking who, what, and where questions about the books of the Bible. In some cases, I find myself being asked questions about the Bible by others and need to reply "Let me check and get back to you on that."

Is it necessary for me to know, from memory, that Jonah fled from Joppa or that Paul appeared before governor Felix at Caesarea in order to take this trip?

No, it could help... perhaps...but there is a bigger thing here. I think what is important to bring along on this trip or even in a Bible study is the openness to learn, to share what one encounters but to also just see what happens. The disciples didn't have a lot of qualifications when Jesus asked them to "Come and see." I didn't have to take a Bible quiz to qualify for this trip. We all were simply asked to be a part and experience it.

Does that pack my suitcase for me? No, but it is reassuring and exciting. Although I will have to get something in the suitcase soon...

A...a... what???

In college, I took a Reformation Tour of Europe for a month. While in Rome, with a campus pastor and other students, we were asked by a Roman Catholic priest, "Is this a pilgrimage for you? Tracing the steps of Martin Luther? The other students and I looked at each other quizzically and I told him "No... not really." I have thought about that question as I have traveled to other places and think of it now as I am about to embark on a trip to the Holy Land.

What makes one's travel a pilgrimage?

Can anyone do a pilgrimage?

How???

Through my travels in the Holy Land, I hope to learn a bit more about this somewhat foriegn concept. I would like to journey not just with my feet this February but inwardly too. Could this be a spiritual journey, a pilgrimage for me? Will I look at familar biblical stories differently after this experience? I am not a journalist. I am not a missionary. I am not a pastor... yet. I am a seminary student wondering just what this trip will hold for me and my fellow travelers... and you are welcome to come along!