Like Moses, Elijah, and so many others before us, today we ascended a mountain to have an encounter with God. For us it was the Mount of the Beatitudes. It did not take us long to reach our destination which actually overlooked where we were staying. Upon our arrival we found an empty parking lot. Arriving early before the crowds gave us a chance to see the site and enjoy its peacefulness.
We were then able to have Mass in the crypt church followed by an extended period of personal prayer. We spread out into the different areas of the site. The gardens were beautifully cultivated helping to show God’s creation at its best. I, along with several others, settled into a corner of the site just below the church overlooking the Sea of Galilee. In contrast to yesterday’s violent weather today the sky was clear, the sun was shining bright, and it was like we were receiving the blessing from God that the rain had promised.
As we were sitting there praying the number of pilgrims at the site steadily continued to grow. Many languages were being spoken, and different groups were praying or listening to reflections on the Beatitudes. Following Elijah’s example we did not look for the Lord in the wind, or an earthquake, or a fire. Rather, we listened instead for the still small voice. Sitting on the hillside in beautiful weather while looking out at the sun shining on the Sea of Galilee, it was easy to see why Jesus would want to live here.