The Church of the Beatitudes

Blessed are the Poor...

This Holy site is rich in wonder and blessings.

We celebrate Mass outdoors at this site with a view of the Sea of Gallilee below highlighting the words of scripture.

Loaves, Fishes and Blessings

A crowd had gathered. They had spent the day listening to the teacher. Instead of sending them away, Jesus took the few loaves and fishes and fed the crowd of over 5000. As we learned today, that was 5000 men, He also fed women and children who had gathered.

We visited the Church of the Multiplication, the site of this miracle. Above the rock that it is said Jesus taught from, is an altar. The mosaic symbolizing the miracle of the multiplication lays before the rock.

On the Sea of Gallilee

The Sea of Gallilee was calm as we set out this morning. It was easy to imagine Christ coming to this water and finding his first Apostles.

While in our wooden boat on the sea we were treated to biblical readings about Christ calling his Disciples, walking on water and calming the sea. 

Those sights, sounds and smells brought to life those oft heard stories, in ways never before imagined. 

A New Day Dawns

The day greeted us with this pastoral scene of south Nazareth from our hotel balcony.

First Steps on Holy Land

Following a harrowing late winter snow storm in Toronto, a weather related flight delay, a delay due to military action near Israel, and being 30 hours in transit, we made it. At about 7 pm local time we finally reached Tel Aviv airport in a constant rain.

The image below is what we have seen so far of Israel from our bus.on a good note. This is the first rain that this arid region has seen since December.

No doubt tomorrow will be the beginning of a wonderful adventure.

On Our Way

What fun would it be to travel in perfect weather, without ant concerns or worries?

Toronto is in the middle of one of its worst storms this year.  Over icy roads, we watch cars spin out before us, vehicles slide off the roads and of course managed a few breathless moments ourselves. But, we are here at the Pearson Airport ready to embark on a new adventure.

So far, the flight is on time and it looks like the weather is letting up.

Adventure awaits!

Crane Berry

 As the colours of fall brighten the tree line, thought turn, with gratitude to rich harvest.  With Thanksgiving around the corner, we decided to visit Johnston's Cranberry Marsh to learn a little more about that little red treasure.

 Originally named the Crane-berry after the crane-like features of its late spring flower, the cranberry grows in acid, sandy soil enjoying warm summer days.  This low lying vine never needs replanting. It can continue to produce for years.  These cranberries are in a field planted in the 1950's.
Cranberries are ripe when they are white in colour. The red colouration occurs as the berries are exposed to colder weather. The higher the berry grows on the vine, the more exposed it is to the weather.  Higher berries turn red sooner than the berries growing closer to the ground.

 Because the cranberry has air pockets, it has been discovered that it will float. Gone are the days of hand-picking (like a blueberry). Instead fields are flooded when the berry is ready for harvest and the floating berries are collected.

 Berries are sorted by colour and state of the berry.  White berries are rarely sold because most people prefer the red ones. Bruised berries are used for juice or wine. Unblemished red berries are sold fresh or frozen.

What is a trip to the cranberry marsh without a stop to sample Muskoka Lakes Wineries finest? Offering White Cranberry, Georgian Bay Rose, Red Maple, Cranberry, Cranberry-Blueberry, and Cranberry Spritzer, it is hard to choose.