Pilgrimage and celebration on Christ the King

By 6:00 a.m., some community members from Nazareth left with a tourist bus for Afula, where we got the rest of those who would join this year’s pilgrimage along Lake Galilee. We were altogether 36 pilgrims. After seeking God’s blessing on our pilgrimage and encounter with other Filipino migrant workers at Tabgha on the occasion of the patronal feast of the Filipina Benedictine Sisters of the Eucharistic King, some orientations were given on the significance of Tiberias and of Lake Galilee.

We drove straight to Qibbutz Eyn Gev, where we went for a one-hour boat ride at the Lake. Once we were away from the port, the Philippine flag was hoisted at the other mast of the boat along that of Israel. Then we read some Gospel passages pertinent to the Lake for everyone to reflect a bit on Jesus’ walk on it. Then one of the boat men took a net and threw it into the midst of the lake, hoping to catch a fish. Of course, there would not be any catch at all for such a time of the day! Then two of the boat men taught simple steps of an Israeli folk dance accompanied by some Hebrew songs. Many participated in the dance. Since we could not go and land at Ginosar, where we originally intended to resume the bus ride to Tabgha, the boat returned to the port of Eyn Gev.

Then we headed for the Church of the Multiplication of the Bread and Fish. Those from Tel Aviv had already arrived ahead of us. At 10:00 a.m., the Mass was presided by Fr. Nicodemus OSB and concelebrated by two Benedictine monks, 2 friars minor, a diocesan, a Salesian, and a Passionist. The Church was completely filled with the Filipino migrant workers and other guests together with their chaplains. The Philippine Ambassador, Mr. Imperial, graced also the occasion with his presence.

After the Mass, there was a reception in the garden of the Shrine. Thereafter we wanted to visit the Shrine of Mount Beatitudes. But it was still closed. Thus, as we left it for Capernaum, I just recited for everyone the 8 Beatitudes from the Gospel of Matthew. Then at Capernaum, we visited first Saint Peter’s House, which served as Jesus’ residence during his Galilean ministry. Inside the shrine we prayed for the intentions of Pope Francis. Then we proceeded to the ruins of the synagogue nearby, where I read Jesus’ discourse on the bread of life from Chapter 6 of John’s Gospel. At the end, we sang a pertinent hymn. And with this we ended our one-day pilgrimage along Lake Galilee and headed home for Afula/Nazareth.