Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season. It is a period of preparation for the Church, now more than ever called to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. For us, it also marked our arrival into Jerusalem, the same city that saw the passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord.
First, however, we had to say goodbye to Galilee. Our morning began with morning prayer and Mass in Capernaum, a city that witnessed miracles (e.g. curing of Simon Peter's mother-in-law, healing of the paralytic man dropped through the roof). I couldn't help but think of the different kinds of healing that we all need and offered a prayer.
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| Octagonal Church built over St. Peter's House in Capernaum |
We went up to Mount Arbel next, which is a scenic overlook of the Sea of Galilee and the city Tiberias. Along the side of this mount, we could see a valley where Jesus walked through on trips between the Sea of Galilee and Nazareth. This was our last view of the region of Galilee. It was truly a beautiful area that experienced much of Jesus' public ministry as well as the hidden years of his life.
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| Our overlook of the Sea of Galilee |
"When the days for his being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem." (Lk 9:51) That is how Luke speaks of the beginning of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem. Our own Lenten journey also begins even if we are already in the city. Whatever crosses we take up, whatever the small sacrifices we undertake, we do so trusting that the Lord will be at our side, beckoning us to find our own Golgothas and a share in his resurrection.
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