Mount of the Beatitudes

The afternoon of Monday February 6, we visited the Mount of the Beatitudes. It was a wonderful and peaceful spot overlooking the Sea of Galilee. I have always been impressed by the beatitudes - see below - and the quiet and tranquility of this spot is certainly consistent with the theme of the beatitudes and the theme of Jesus teaching two thousand years ago at this site.

One of the beatitudes - "blessed are the peacemakers" - is particularly relevant today in the Middle East and in the activities of Canadian peacemakers around the world.

The top photo shows the natural ampitheatre on the hillside where it is believed that Jesus preached to a large crowd. The crowd gathered on the hillside, with Jesus speaking from the base of the hill - the centre of the natural ampitheatre. The bottom photo, taken just south of the Mount of the Beatitudes at Tiberias, shows the Sea of Galilee at sunrise.

The beatitudes:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
"Bleesed are those who huder and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled."
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."