You are Peter

During our stay in the Galilee, we visited three sites where Peter emerges as an important figure.

Letters are from map on last post.

 

C.)  Capernaum

At the time of Jesus, Simon Peter lived in Capernaum.  It was here that Jesus healed his mother-in-law, and probably here that he stayed while in this part of Galilee.

In the Byzantine period, a hexagonal church was built over the site of Peter’s house.

Of all the holy sites in the Holy Land, there are six which are of (nearly) undisputed veracity as determined by archaeology and history.  Peter’s house is one.

At these places, Christians had devotion even in the first century.

Today, Capernaum has been excavated, and a new octagonal church has been built, floating above the original church.

 

F.)  Caesarea – Philippi (Banyas)

As far north as Israel ever extended, here Jesus and the twelve escape from the crowds to this non-Jewish area, having only been added to Herod’s territory by the Emperor in Rome a few decades earlier.  This place is one of the sources of water for the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River and so, gives life to all of Israel.

And here, in what was a pagan shrine and is today a beautiful park, a man for the first time since Adam recognized God present before him.  “You are Christ, the Son of the living God!”

And it is here that Christ promised the Church – to be built on the faith of Peter, a faith which even the powers of hell would never defeat.

I wonder sometimes if we really believe this promise of Christ.  We put so much trust in things of this world, in companies, nations, people, and yet the only thing promised by God tat would remain is his Church.  Of course, she isn’t perfect – as Peter proved moments later.  When Jesus first announced that the Christ would go to Jerusalem to suffer and die – right after Peter’s confession – Peter failed to believe.

And from here, Christ began his final move to Jerusalem.

 

B.  Primacy of Peter (next to Tabgha)

I hope most of us know the story from John 21.  After the resurrection, the apostles return to the sea to fish.  They catch nothing.  And Jesus appears to them.  They make the great catch, and they recognize the Lord.

The place Christ was, where he had the fire and some fish already cooked for them.

I reflect on this passage of scripture, and I think it answers the question “What difference does Christ make?”   The four fishermen should know how to fish, but they cannot catch anything.  They have tried to return to a life they thought they knew – their life before Christ – and find it empty, fruitless, and futile.

And once again, Jesus breaks into the scene and fills them with an abundance of what they need.  He is ready to feed them (and doesn’t even need their fish to do so).  He also lets them participate in his catch of fish, reminding them of his promise from the beginning “I will make you fishers of men.”

Altar of the Primacy of Peter

And so, with the apostles gathered around him, once again remembering how their relationship with Christ has changed them, and knowing they will never be the same, Christ speaks to Peter.

“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

During the passion, Peter denied Christ three times.  Now, he three times affirms his love.  And Christ fulfills the promise given to Peter, and makes him the chief shepherd of the flock.  Here.