As we left Capernaum, our driver suggested to Shep that we should drive to the south end of the Sea of Galilee along the eastern shore rather than to go back through Tiberias on our way to the southern outlet of the River Jordan. As we did so, we were literally within a stones throw of first Syria and then Jordan. As we drove along, the sun was setting over Tiberias with the Sea of Galilee in the foreground. It was truly beautiful.

The baptismal site on the River Jordan is a highly commercial site with prescheduled immersion baptisms, and, it is not the site where John the Baptist was known to have done his work. However, our group took the time to renew our baptismal vows and Father Matt blessed us all with Holy Water from the River Jordan.

Mark 1: 1-11 The beginning of Mark's gospel of Jesus Christ

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

"Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert; 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'"

John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with the water; he will baptize you with the holy Spirit."

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."