Mount of Beatitudes

One of the places in the Galilee area that has always stood out to me personally is the Mount of Beatitudes. According to the book of Matthew in the New Testament, this is where Jesus went up to the mountain and taught His disciples and the place where He taught the Sermon on the Mount.

The Mount of Beatitudes is located near the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee on the hill above Tabgha.

At the top of the hill is the Church of the Beatitudes, a Roman Catholic church built in the 1930's by donations from the Italian ruler, Mussolini.

We were expecting rain but it was a beautiful sunny day!

For those who follow this blog, you will remember a previous entry of the Church of Beatitudes. However, if your memory is like mine, reviewing places I have previously visited is helpful and if you do not fit into this category, just bear with me.  (You might better understand when you're in your 70's.)

I hope our grandchildren will never forget the places
 they visited while in Israel.

   The roses were beautiful and they make me forget it is winter in Israel. 

“Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.” Alphonse Karr

There was a feeling of serenity at the Mount of Beatitudes.  

Small groups of visitors were reading from the Bible and reflecting upon 
what Jesus of Nazareth taught His disciples at this location.

Here are a couple of my favorite flowers and yes, that is a rubber tree leaf.

We went inside the church and the Christmas decorations were still in place.  While we have lived in Israel, we have noticed that Christmas is not commercialized like it is in the States. In some ways it is a refreshing change yet I still miss seeing lots of Christmas lights during the season.

A woman in prayer.  

The church has an octagonal shaped dome and 
each side represents one of the Beatitudes.

One thing I am really going to miss when we go back to the States are the beautiful mosaic floors we have seen in the churches.

One beautiful family!  Nothing makes me happier than when I am with my family. The love of a family of one of life's greatest blessings.

The Beatitudes are written around the alter in the church and each 

focuses on blessings of obedience.

Many people followed Jesus of Nazareth 
who left them to join His disciples on the mount.

We left the church and walked outside to enjoy one more view. 

The cool and quiet gardens overlooking the Sea of Galilee and the landscape where Jesus conducted his ministry make an excellent place to contemplate some of Christ's teachings.

Our next stop will be two churches at Tabgha, a short distance from the Mount of Beatitudes.