Overhead view of the Mount of Beatitudes and the Franciscan chapel commemorating the Sermon on the Mount.
Today is a special virtual touring day in the Galilee. We will go only to one stop; to a place called the Mount of Beatitudes, or in Hebrew Har Osher. The literal translation is Happy Mountain. The name commemorates one of the greatest sermons ever told. No matter what religious affiliation one might have, this sermon can speak volumes to the heart. During this holiday season, I cannot think of a better place to share the insights of a man who challenged people to be the best version of themselves they could be.
The setting is on top of a hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Our surroundings are the beautiful grounds where an order of Franciscan Sisters resides. And where every detail of the landscape is planned and maintained to perfection. There is an octagonally shaped chapel that is the centrepiece of this peaceful place and the perfect representation for the sermon that challenged the world.
Antonio Barluzzi was the architect that built this Roman Catholic Franciscan chapel. It was built with some funding from the Italian ruler Mussolini and completed in 1938. The design of the building was intended for people to be able to see the Sea from inside the church. So Barluzzi placed an eye-level window the width of each of the eight octagonal walls, representing eight blessings spoken of during the Sermon on the Mount. From anywhere inside the little chapel, one can look out and envision the speaking of the words that Jesus of Nazareth delivered nearly 2,000 years ago.
Antonio Barluzzi at work (year and photo credit unknown)
Admiring Antonio Barluzzi’s work from another angle-the Chapel of the Beatitudes overlooking the Sea of Galilee. (photo from The Marker)
Barluzzi’s background is well worth mentioning. He was born in 1884 in Italy. His family lived near the Vatican and his father taught him to appreciate the architecture of the city from a young age. He began to sketch churches at the age of five years old. He went to the University School of Engineering for architecture in Rome but struggled with his career choice. His desire was to become a Franciscan monk, but his mentor encouraged him to pursue building churches in the Holy Land. As WWI broke out, Barluzzi was commissioned into the military and in 1918 was part of the Palestine detachment that took part in the Allied entry into Jerusalem. He stayed on in Israel and designed his first church in 1920, the Church of the Transfiguration, on Mt. Tabor. He built more than a dozen churches in the Holy Land, all of which commemorate a specific event, with specific architecture relevant to the story it tells. Barluzzi dedicated his entire life to building these shrines. He said that they “had captured my mind, my heart & my entire soul.”
In the spirit of Barluzzi’s incredible dedication to this chapel and its meaning, we read the first portion of the Sermon on the Mount. The actual sermon is three chapters long and found in the book of Matthew, chapters 5-8 in the New Testament. The portion is often referred to as The Beatitudes because the words speak into how our attitude should be. My purpose is not to preach. That’s been done many times. My purpose is not to impose Christian scripture on non-Christians, as I am a Jew myself. The purpose is, however, to encourage you, the reader, to look deep into your soul and see if there is anything amiss, anything that needs to be changed, anything that can bring happiness to your life or to the life of others.
Sea of Galilee view towards Tiberias from the Mount of Beatitudes.
“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:1-16
Have a wonderful holiday season. We will meet again next week in the Galilee.
Shalom from Israel.
