Mount of Beatitudes – it is suggested that this is the location for Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Once known as Mt. Eremos, the hill is situated between Capernaum and Tabgha and is just above the “Cove of the Sower”. The spacious hillside provides plenty of space for multitudes to gather.
The Beatitudes
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed arethey which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed arethe merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake” (Matt 5:3-11 KJV).
The Golan Heights were part of Syria until 1967, when Israel captured most of the area in the Six Day War, occupying it and annexing it in 1981. That unilateral annexation was not recognized internationally, and Syria demands the return of the territory. We visited bunkers and a hill that were used by the Syrian forces defending the area.
More than 40,000 people live on the Israeli-occupied Golan, more than half of them Druze, an Arab minority who practice an offshoot of Islam.
After annexing the Golan, Israel gave the Druze the option of citizenship, but most rejected it and still identify as Syrian. About another 20,000 Israeli settlers also live there, many of them working in farming and tourism.
We visited an olive mill in Kasrin where they produce both wonderful olive oil and cosmetics made from olive oil and its bi-products, to include a scrub that left our hands feeling silky made from the remains of the olives once the oil had been extracted. Lunch was served by a druse family.
We made a quick stop on the shores of Galilee to visit the Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter. Another Franciscan church which is located in Tabgha, on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. It commemorates, and allegedly marks the spot, of Jesus’ reinstatement of Peter as chief among the Apostles. It is a very pretty spot.
Final stop of the day was at a local winery where we were able to taste some delicious Israeli wine and some fruit wines to include pomegranate. it was a good end to the day!
