January 24, 2010 – Day Eight

ISRAEL

Nazareth 3 sections

Place Jafa of Nazareth, a Muslim mayor

Nazareth elite – on the hills,- Jewish mayor

Arab Nazareth – ancient town. 36% Christian .Christian mayor

Nazareth largest church in Middle East. Mary received Christ in that Grotto. She said “be it done unto me. Basilica built in 1962 to preserve spot of annunciation. Emmanuel became reality in that spot.

Thru Jesus’ eyes – Arabs and Christians are not allowed to ask each other which religion they are because they all live as brothers here in Nazareth.

Stone manger- altar of sacrifice.

Why here? Prophecy.

Isaiah 11 – Hebrew version- The offshoot from the house of Jessie ( David’s father) comes to redeem the world. Shoot – means nature = Jesus the nature of Nazareth. St Joseph comes here. Blessed Virgin Mary comes here with family. God’s ways. His plans Isaiah 9:1 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; on the inhabitants of a country in shadow dark as death light has blazed forth. And Matt 4:16 The people that lived in darkness have seen a great light; on those who lived in a country of shadow dark as death a light has dawned.

God always gave land and a sources of water.

Borderline was River Jordan.

Psalm 89- Mt Hermon and Mt Tabor. Transfiguration. 6 days walk from Hermon to Tabor.

Time of Annunciation- 39 BC Herod the Great king wanted revenge. Built a roman city. Crazy Herod the great was used for God’s purpose. That’s how St Joseph came here. Built scaffolding lived in remote area (Nazareth, Cana) so Romans wouldn’t rape women, kidnap children. Birth of Christ – Bethlehem – for census. Shepherds – 2 caves full of cousins.

Cana – St John – intercession of Blessed Virgin Mary (down mountain from Nazareth.)

Mis-translation of scripture – should have read, no room in the living room. Ladies took her to the back of the house (cave) the stable.

The way of the sea. Isaiah prophecy connected Mediterranean Sea to Galilee. Border line between lower Galilee and upper Galilee. Was major highway, called the sacred bridge. Is road we are on now. Jesus came here!

He came to reach all people. Not just the Jewish.

No definition for cousin. Jesus called all his brothers and sisters.

On Cross. Why forsaken me? He was not weak- He was calling – Psalm 22. Don’t worry, It’s written. I will rise again. Blessed Virgin Mary sword going to your heart. John means God’s grace. Mary is your mother. Fulfillment of prophecy to poor desperate people, encounter all nations, not just Jewish.

Man in Capernaum. Carried by 4 men- always represents N, S, E, W. 4 corners of the whole world. Jesus was in the center of the world.

John 6 multiplication loaves: 5000 men ate, 12 baskets removed symbolic for apostles, jews, disciple

4000 men ate – symbolic for the rest of the world. 7 baskets remained- the world fed.

This region was border line for all Biblical battles. In 723 BC, no one wanted to live here for over 600 years. In 132 BC, the Hasmonean brothers brought people back to the area. Hadrian made Jerusalem a Roman city. Imposed death penalty on those who came there and people moved away. Jews began to build a synagogue.

Christians persecuted by both Romans and Jewish.

Jews pray 3 X a day. #12 prayer is a curse against Christians???? Jewish says BCE = Before common era (not Christ) MINIM

Constantine. Built churches to protect and preserve holy sites.

20,000 Jews volunteered to destroy churches for the Persians. To destroy the Byzantines churches.

636 AD until 19 th century – absence of churches in area connected to public ministry.

Franciscans came in and built shrines to commemorate Jesus public ministry.

Mary Magdalene not prostitute. Live in darkness have seen great light.

Only way to fight demons is confession and Eucharist. The Eucharist is alive and walking on his feet here!

Tiberius built by Herod Antipas. He also ordered the beheading of St John.

Valley of Geneseret . Most fertile piece of property in Roman Empire. Grew Balsam, perfumes we are below sea level.

“ go the extra mile” is from the Lord. “give them your tunic too”

Sea of Galilee – raising the flag – the star spangled banner.

Reading St. Mark – and a violent storm was with them. Do you not care I am perishing? Do you have not yet faith? The wind and sea obey. (Where is your faith? Trust me.)

Walking, riding on holy grounds. Living water – life given by Lord Jesus. Sea of Galilee is part of the River Jordan. Land of Gennesaret, Mother of Absalom, Land of the Golan Heights.

Sea – Water – Bring fountain of movement life. Important in whole Bible. Body needs 3 times more water than food we eat. Cloudy – God’s blessing. Sea has so many memories. Peter walking on water. Jesus approaching them, fishermen. What frightened them? A storm that brought so much fear. Can’t rationalize, paralyzes you. Fear not- Bid me to come to you. Counting the strides, 15 steps. Mistake looked back. Look at me says the Lord. The moment you take your eyes from Jesus, see the waves, storms, negative from those around you. Then you sink. Scripture- notice the wind, waves.

St Peter gave permission to write this – the scene of Peter reaching to Jesus. Doubt , fear, struggle. His hand is out there. He is reaching out to me. You have to reach out. Sea is where Jesus chose his men. Why are we fascinated with water? Because of the womb. You feel comfortable. Floating and secure, happy, being rocked. Remember: See from depths of faith. See thru his eyes. The clouds give us a better understanding of the land. Hills just like Jesus (without houses).

Why Jesus pushed boat away – no place to stand. Wind blowing changes depending how hot it is. From land to se best place to speak.

Sea of Galilee is like an amphitheater. Luke 6 speaks of level place, natural amphitheater. Jesus gave.

Matthew 6 – Gospel for converts. – The new Moses. Everything was given from the mountain. – Moses received. Level place. Look at the same height. Not above you. He is one of you. Jesus speak on the same level as us, because he is one of you.

Jesus addressed the crowds in Aramaic. Very few people understood Hebrew. Hebrew only in synagogue and Men 13 years and older. Our Lady would not have know only a few prayers in Hebrew because she was in the temple. Not the synagogue. Hebrew was a sacred language.

Our Father taught in Aramaic. Brought common language to people. “ Abon di bashmayo “–Our Father who art in Heaven

Sermon on the Mount is our Charter of Faith. St Matthew wrote this with Jesus on the hill to give authority. Another account with Jesus on the plane

Scholars think it was taught in different occasions, but put together , consolidated. Matthew 5, 6, 7.

St Mark stayed on ground, used amphitheater.

Church built like a fortress. A fortress for your heart. Walking on water, healing leprosy, feeding people, love.

Mt 23. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord

Absence of churches 7AD – 19 th Century. Due to lack of security. Franciscans repaved it.

St Eusebius 313AD – Bishop of Caesarea. Wrote book of the Holy Land 313 AD - In the book he said go back and study Origen on the fathers of the church. He did extensive history of the land. 19 th century did archeology work.

St Peter’s Primacy Church

Jesus telling the apostles to cast their net on the right. Caught 153 fish which equals 153 nations. All the know nations of the world at that time.

Peter at Caiaphas home warming his hands over the fire, at that time, Peter denies Jesus 3 times. In this place at breakfast on the beach, Jesus calls him to the fire and ask Peter, do you love me? Do you love me? - Staff of Aaron. Go lead the church.

Church of Menas Christi – the table of Christ built over the charcoal fire.

St Peter’s Primacy. Peter went fishing after the death and resurrection of Our Lord. Where Jesus cooked breakfast – John 21

Every Holy Father has visited here since 1935. Church is built over the rock.

Just like Peter we deny God. We renew our baptisimal vows. We face darkness and renewal reject devil, world and sin.

Jesus baptized in the Jordan with his arms crossed. Pharaoh’s did this. Jesus rose up from the water and lifted up his arms.

When I understand obedience, God is obedient to me.

3 sacraments leave a mark on the soul

Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. The oil used in this, Chrism, only a bishop can make. On my soul I have a sign that says I belong to God. Remind myself these waters are made holy.

The dew that falls on Mt Hermon is a source of water for the Sea of Galilee

Go to the sea and renew your Baptismal vows. Jesus asks do you really love me, more than all of these?

Father was put to the test, Jesus asked him for the third time, do you love me more than your mother? He said, Yes. The Lord said, you will not go for the funeral of your mother. You are a high priest and don’t go to any funeral. As long as we live in sin, we see death and darkness.

Israel – Cherish family tradition.

___________ threatened to destroy the statue of Our Lady on Mt Calvary, just threatened and his hand was paralyzed.

Archeology gives us information thru, graffit the best teasure, the next is coins then next is pottery then family treasures.

Matthew 4 – Capernaum – City on the border. Zebulon, Naphtali, - Banana plantations.

Those in darkness have seen a great light.

Matthew 4 – Capernaum becomes the home town of Jesus. Came to call Matthew, man healed paralytic, bridegroom fasting, wine skins, healed the 12 year old, touching the fringe of garment, eyes open.

Capernaum established 2BC. Across the river is the land of Gentiles and greek gods. The built homes grouped together. The rooms were called insulas. It was dark inside so it would keep intruders out. The floor was round stone, with a slot for a window. The roofs were for prayer and drying fruit. There were usually 40 to 50 people in a house.

4 periods of excavation at Capernaum. 7 times the town destroyed. This place was cursed by Jesus.

1AD found the names of Jesus and St Peter names written on 132 tombs. Found coins and fishhooks in the plaster of the first church.

It was a domus ecclesiae – a secret church. A double octagon bring attention to the most secret spot which was the house of Jesus.

Mill stone 5 th century olive press. The oil at top of the jar was the virgin oil. The oil at the bottom was for the lamps.

1 cup for self, 2 cups for peasants.

Wood soaked in olive oil, lit on fire and thrown into a limestone building would create a chemical combination that would burn the limestone.

Olives, palms need 9 months to flower. Palms need a male and female to flower. Jesus was crucified on an olive tree.

Foundation of synagogue at Capernaum, found a jar with 1100 coins in an archeological dig that bore the name of Pontius Pilot.

Pillars marked the roads. At every 200 steps there was a stone. 200 steps = 1 mile

The stone jars we saw were like the wedding feast at Cana.

The family of Zebedee built this synagogue.

The place that Jesus entered to teach. Synagogue 1 st layer is black. rebuilt in 4ad with white limestone. Had palm trees carved on the columns. Take 9 months to bear fruit.

Jesus , born in a cave, lived in a cave,

Annunciation – grotto is a cave.

Herod the Great. Cement is what made his reign great. Volcanic ash mixed with lime powder= cement .

He was a killer.

To make a great city you need masons, carpenters to build scaffolds. Herod’s son Antipas was worse than Herod. Herod the Great died in 4 BC. He was the one who gave the order to kill the male children 2 years and younger.

Holy family stayed in Egypt 5 – 7 years.

St Joseph – Matthew 2 – City where he worked in Sepphoris. Had to build scaffolding and needed work. Lived in Nazareth and worked in Sepphoris. Most likely died of old age in Nazareth. Next to him was Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus.

St Joseph’s church, graffiti on the walls saying Hail Mary. This church was by the basilica of the Annunciation.

Shalom Lech Mariam = Hail Mary in Aramaic

Caves above restaurant are the Arbel caves. The village of Arbel is mentioned in connection with the First and Second Temples. During this time the Cohanim [priestly class], had to spend 2 weeks a year serving in the Temple in Jerusalem. A number of stone carvings giving the times of year when the Cohanim from each village (or area) were expected to appear at the Temple, have been found in different places throughout Israel. One of the sights mentioned is the village of Arbel. Later, during the Maccabean Revolt against the Greek/Syrians (164 B.C.E.), the followers of Judah Maccabee fortified these caves and used them to attack the Greek army marching south. In the time of Herod the Great, another revolt started. Once again the farmers of Arbel went down to these caves/fortresses. Inside the caves you will find the remnants of ritual baths used by Jewish inhabitants until the Roman conquest.

The Jewish/Roman historian Josephus Flavius (in Hebrew his name was Yosef ben Matituhu) wrote how the Roman army managed to capture the caves. From two thousand years ago until the mid 19th century, these caves were used as lookout positions. The ruins seen today are mostly from the Ottoman period.

1 Maccabeus Chapter 9. Greeks were hiding in them. Zealots also who didn’t want to pay taxes.

Valley between Arbel caves and sea of Galilee is the Wadi Valley ( Valley of the Doves) Shortcut to Nazareth – Isaiah 11 – at the springs.

Simon the zelot lived in the caves – a revolutionary. Is it worse to have an enemy who is a friend or family member. St Matthew was his worst enemy – a tax collector.

People of Nazareth were exposed to Roman culture. They never accepted a redeemer. They wanted to push him off the cliff, so Jesus moved to Capernaum.

A Sanhedrin took Lord’s body – Joseph of Arimathea. The Bible tells us of strange things happening when Jesus died on the cross: Darkness fell when their should have been daylight, the temple veil was torn in two, earthquakes shook the land, tombs split open with dead rising from them (Mat 27:45-51). But another very strange thing that happened was that two members of the council that put Jesus to death took down the body of Jesus from the cross.

At the most important moment in all of history, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus all the disciples become secret and two secret disciples Joseph and Nicodemus become bold and open. Strange things are happening.

These two men were part of the Sanhedrin, the group that orchestrated the crucifixion of Jesus. Here we find this elite religious council of seventy looking for false evidence against Jesus to put him to death. This council went to extremes to humiliate Jesus when they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. (Matthew 26:59, 67) A council involved in this abhorrent activity would seem the least likely place to find two bold heroes standing for up Jesus.

Joseph of Arimathea is identified to us specifically as a secret disciple of Jesus (John 19:38). Another member of the council, Nicodemus is very strongly implied to be a secret disciple of Jesus too. Not only do we find two extraordinary disciples of Jesus among this infamous council, but also we find them at the forefront during the most critical three-day juncture of human history.

The Sanhedrin: Where we find secret disciples of Jesus. Let’s look at what an incredible council this Sanhedrin really was. The Sanhedrin was composed of seventy
members made up of the chief priests, scribes and elders. The presiding officer of the Sanhedrin was the Jewish high priest. This council was the highest and final court of appeal for matters regarding Mosaic Law.

We find the Sanhedrin influencing the circumstances of Jesus arrest and trial for their purposes. They wanted to see Jesus put to death. Even without the direct authority to execute anyone (John 18:31) this council managed to manipulate Pilate to bring about the crucifixion of Jesus.

It was the Sanhedrin that persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released instead of Jesus. They even mocked Jesus while He was hanging on the cross. Out of this heinous Sanhedrin emerged Joseph of Arimathea the secret disciple and Nicodemous who much earlier had approached Jesus at night under the cover of darkness.

Just who is Joseph of Arimathea?
Joseph of Arimathea is one of the few who is mentioned in all four Gospels. His deed of giving his own tomb for Jesus burial was foretold by Isaiah in the suffering servant passage. (Is.53:9) “He made his grave with the rich.” The crucifixion is full of irony in that the anointed Messiah was a suffering servant, despised and punished. Another more overlooked irony is a disciple of Jesus was found among the Sanhedrin. Not only was Joseph of Arimathea a member of the exclusive seventy, Joseph was a prominent member of the Council. (Mark 15:43) We are also told that Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man. (Matthew 27:57)

The Burial of Jesus
After Jesus death Joseph asked Pilate for the body. Mark mentions that he went boldly to Pilate when he asked for Jesus body. Pilate was careful because members of the Sanhedrin had manipulated him once already this day. Pilate was not going to simply take this good and upright man at his word. Joseph of Arimathea was, after all a member of the scheming Sanhedrin. Pilate summoned the Centurion and was surprised to hear Jesus was already dead and then ordered the body be given to Joseph.

With Pilate’s permission, Joseph took the body down from the cross with the help of his fellow council member, Nicodemus the same who earlier had visited Jesus at night. (John Chapter 3) This is also the Nicodemus who opposed his fellow council members when he found they were condemning Jesus in a way contrary to the Mosaic Law. (John 7:50-52).

Nicodemous brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about seventy-five pounds and along with Joseph they wrapped Jesus body with spices in strips of linen, in accordance with Jewish burial customs. The tomb where Joseph buried our Lord was his own new tomb, hewn out of solid stone. It was, in accordance with scripture, the tomb of a rich man. This is an amazing fulfillment of prophecy, considering Jesus had just died a criminal’s death. They placed Jesus body in Joseph’s tomb and then rolled the stone against the entrance of the tomb.

Giving you someone’s tomb was like giving you a heritage. You could give your own inheritance.

Holy Family’s home converted homes into worship places. Jesus presents himself to court as a Christian “I believe in Jesus!”

Mamluk a soldier of slave origin, converted to Islam. Children stolen by Saladin and brought up and forced to be Islam.

1263 Nazareth completely abandoned.

1628 Prince from Saudi Arabia reestablished the community of Nazareth. He gave the Franciscans the Mount of Transfiguration and the Area of Annunciation.

Mashhad Gath is Jonah the prophet’s home town.

Who was the job of the sycamore picker? Amos Chapter 7 – the prophet Amos

Nazareth – Sunday streets are empty. 1 main street traffic easy ..

2/3 Nazareth are Muslim and Catholic compound

Only 5 buildings made up the original Nazareth.

Every country gave a gift to build the Church of the Annunciation. Also called the International Church. America – 2nd floor picture of cast iron and steel of Our Lady.