A Blog from Bruce

Today was an amazing day! It was my great privilege to share leadership in worship this morning on the traditional site of the Mount of the Beatitudes. We gathered ourselves in a spot just above the Church that is lovingly maintained (and fiercely defended) by the Franciscan Sisters. Under the branches of palm and eucalyptus tress which sheltered us from the hot Galilean sun, we sat in a circle of chairs around a stone table, which became for us, the Welcome Table. The entire Sermon on the Mount was read (Matthew 5, 6, & 7). Even as I began the reading, I was deeply moved by the company of the One to whom these words are lovingly ascribed. At several places I found myself strangely emotional as the setting evoked a powerful recognition that these are the ideas around which Jesus sought to make his followers fit for the Reign of God. They are words that inspire, challenge, embrace, affirm, and equip disciples of every age.

As we worshipped, Christians from other lands gathered in similar fashion at arbor protected places near ours. They too, read from the Gospel of Matthew – in languages we could not understand, but which needed no translation. Their hymns of praise as they worshipped infolded us as moved to the breaking of the bread. As we served one another with these signs of Jesus’ presence with us yet, simple bread and wine, we were fed in body, spirit and soul. We were mysteriously bound to one another and to all who have broken bread and shared a cup in the name of Jesus Christ. Time stood still.

When the last one was served, and the bread and wine placed back upon the table of remembrance, we began to sing. Our voices joined others on the Mount offering our thanksgiving to a generous God. Hymns, gospel, praise choruses, vesper songs and music from the folk Masses of the 60’s came from us like the babbling of an uninterrupted steam of life giving water. It was sacred. It was joy-filled. It was awesome.

Our journey in this land of wonder continued with visits to the Primacy of Peter and to the archeological ruins of Bethsaida. The Primacy of Peter recalls the resurrection appearance told in the Gospel of John. It is held by tradition that Jesus appeared to Peter and the disciples in the early morning and served them a meal of fish on shore. There, Jesus inquired of Peter “do you love me?” Three times the question is asked of Peter, followed by the command to “feed my sheep.” In this moment, it is believed that Peter was “restored” to his place as first among the disciples (a place he had perhaps “lost” due to his three fold denial of Jesus in the courtyard of the High Priest). The “rock” is believed to be the “table” on which the breakfast was served!

Bethsaida was the home of Peter, Andrew and Phillip. Andy from our group had served at this on going archeological dig some twenty years ago. He told of the story of its discovery and the restoration here gave us a sense of life in this village which is referred to in both Testaments.

This experience is unfolding as a source of blessing for all of us, and our worship today heightened our awareness of the Holy in this Land. --- Shalom