Got up at 5.30 this morning. No problem! Asleep at 9.30 last night. Lauds and Mass at 6 a.m. Breakfast at 7. I had washing out on the line at 8! On the bus for Tiberias at 8.45, and thanks to the advice of my neice Sarah Jane, I succeeded in getting money from my visa card by bringing my passport to the bank. On the bus, we passed by Magdala, home town of Mary Magdalene. It's almost totally submerged by water now. Last evening, the evening meal at 6.30 was taken in silence, as is Benedictine custom. There was reading during it, in German - something to do with Islam, I think. I have made friends with the two monks, Fr. Zacarias and Fr. Mattias. Zacarias is 74 to-day, Mattias is about 50. Both were parish priests before joining the Benedictines and coming here. Another friend is the resident sister, Sr. Salve (= Salvation). We had Night Prayer at 8 p.m., last night with the monks and some of the voluntary helpers. There was a very warm and sacred Benedictine ritual at the end; Fr. Zacarias blessed the mosaic of the Loaves and Fishes (in front of the altar), and then those of us present, with holy water. After that we all went to gather near an icon of Mary and the Child, and sung the Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen). Very spiritual moment. I ended the evening by sitting at "the quiet place" by the Lake. Absolutely still. All you could hear was the sound of water, and the branches of trees blowing in the gentle breeze. Right beside the Monastery is a location called the "Primacy of Peter". There's a small church there built on the remains of a 4th century church, and built on a rock that juts out into the Lake. Part of the rock forms the sanctuary of the church. The gospel often mentions Jesus getting into a boat (presumably from a harbour) and then going out a little, and speaking to the people gathered on the shore. The Primacy of Peter is the kind of place this might well have happened. Here is remembered the Risen Jesus appearing to the disciples and his words with Peter: "Do you love me? ... Feed my lambs ... Feed my sheep ... Follow me!" (Pictures: The Icon of Mary and the Child; a better picture of the Monastery at Tabgha; the famous 4th century mosaic of the Loaves and Fishes).
