The Sea of Galilee has several names in the Bible. St. John refers to it as the Sea of Tiberias, and it is also called Gennesaret. I did not know that its name refers to its shape (like a lyre) and is derived from the Hebrew word for harp. The sea is not really a sea at all but rather a fresh-water lake. It is fed by the waters of the Jordan River from the north. It is the largest freshwater lake in Palestine.
Galileans have made their living from fishing, so it is no wonder that Jesus' disciples were fisherman. Jesus chose just who he needed to be fishers of men.
On the day we boarded our fishing boat to cross the sea into Magdala, the waters were calm. Although it was mid-morning, a soft early morning breeze still lingered. It was such a beautiful day that I chose to use my video camera for most of the trip across. The sea is nine miles long and five miles wide, so we were at our destination much too soon. During the time on board I thought about what it would have been like to be on a fishing boat with Jesus, and especially when he calmed the storm. Before coming on board, we were told that the sea is noted for its sudden violent flare-ups and that we were fortunate to be having such smooth sailing. Still, I could not help but think about that time and of Jesus' admonition, Where is your faith?
As had become our practice, someone read from Scripture and we sang and we prayed. We glanced out at Magdala, and I thought about Mary Magdalene. After our brief sail, we were on the bus en route to Mount of the Beatitudes where Father Francisco would celebrate Mass.
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