April 24, 2012 Sea of Galilee

The Readings today, April 24, 2012 are on Jesus' stay in Galilee after the "feeding of the loaves and fish" to the 5000 men and many more women and children. The miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish happened in the village of Taghba. In a small memorial commemorating this event is the rock on which the bread and fish were lain as Jesus prayed before the miracle. An inscription "Mensa Christi" lay upon the rock.


Galilee has a charm uniquely its own. Lush greenery abound in some areas near the Sea of Galilee which is actually a lake. It is the lowest freshwater lake in the world. In my visits there, the "sea" has always been calm and the soft breeze has been exhilarating that the feeling of wanting to stay there forever tickled my mind. I believe that the fact that Jesus spent so much time in the area doing much of His healing and many of His miracles even walking on the water there, add to the special appeal Galilee has on me! Therefore, I have attempted to write some verses about it:


How beautiful you are, Oh, Galilee
Peaceful, life-giving water that abound in Thee
St. Peter's fish with their young in tow
Amidst the swaying plants so green below.


How I love to be in charming Galilee
In the place where our Lord Jesus walked with glee
Teaching His apostles, also Peter, James and John
To love everyone with the love He has sown.


The trees and boulders that line your rugged shores
Heard the tales Jesus told with such awesome force
That he would lay down His life to save the world
From sins of the flesh, corruption and the sword.


That to know Him means to study His Word
Reflect on Jesus' parables we won't get bored
Instill in our minds and hearts the way of life
Willing to serve others, always with rife.


Eager to help those who knock at our door
For food, for shelter, for counsel and much more
We can never fathom the power of prayer
Each time we seek God for someone else's welfare.


Oh, Galilee, how you marvelously display
Mother Nature in kaleidoscopic array
The changing colors as the seasons roll by
Complement the fragrance of the breeze coming nigh.


A chosen place you are, Oh Galilee
From time immemorial to eternity
Oh, Lord, in your mercy and love, let me be
In the bosom of your heart, your own Galilee!