Take Me to the Water

This morning we celebrated mass on top of the Mount of Olives, at a church called Dominus Flevit which means the Lord wept. 
"When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. “For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” Luke 19:41-44

Dominus Flevit

The interior of  Dominus Flevit

We said our goodbyes to Jerusalem and made our way to Galilee located in the north of Israel.  We then stopped at a baptism site called Yardenit which means little Jordan, to renew our baptismal vows. This is the  site in which Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. 
"Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” Matthew 3:13-17

My baptism in the River Jordan

Tabgha

After we left the Yardnit we visited Church of the Primacy of St. Peter located in Tabgha. This is were Jesus appeared to his disciples for the third time after his resurrection. This is also the location were Jesus reinstates Peter after they shared a breakfast of fish and bread.

"Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord.Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead. So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon,son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep."  John 21:12-17

The exterior of the church

The altar of the Church of the Primacy of Peter