Nain, Cana, Tabor...

Last evening we celebrated the birthday of one of our group, Sr. Monika. It was a pleasure to sit together around one table, with an abundance of good food, good wine and the company of good and new friends.

Our pre-dinner reflections sessions have been a significant point of reflection and inspiration for us. We share with each other something of what has “touched our heart” in the day.

The life of the heart (soul), is not the focus for those who travel simply as tourists. But we are pilgrims and our journey is not primarily about the sights and sounds that surround us each day.  

The journey of the pilgrim is always to a deeper level that we might see and hear with the eyes and ears of the heart.

Our Tiberius hotel is on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, with a view of the water from every room.

This morning we left the hotel soon after 8 to make a 9am visit to the village of Nain, where Jesus raised the widow’s son from the dead. A very welcoming and lively Franciscan monk, Fra Mario was our host for this visit.

Then another short bus journey to the town of Cana.  It was a bit early in the day for wine, but the visit was still a significant one. We prayed together under the trees (alongside the Wedding Chapel) the second of the ‘new’ Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary: Jesus begins his public ministry with the Cana miracle changing water into wine.

A few pictures from the Cana visit.

Early this afternoon we travelled the short distance to Mount Tabor,the place of the Transfiguration of Jesus. The little mount is visible as a large ‘mound’ from all the surrounding countryside.  

We celebrated the Mass in the beautiful hill-top Church, then each of us took an hour of solitude and silence for prayer. When we met again to make the journey down the hill we prayed the fourth of the Luminous Mysteries:  TheTransfiguration of Jesus.