MOUNT OF THE BEATITUDES

On a high hill across the road from Tabgha is the place where tradition says Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount, which includes the eight "Beatitudes" recorded in Matthew 5:3-11: "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 sons 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." The sermon is commemorated in the Church of the Beatitudes built in 1937 by the Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi on a hill, the Mount of the Beatitudes, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. The building was commissioned by Benito Mussolini. The octagonal shape of the church is symbolic of the eight beatitudes. A mosaic pavement around the altar contains symbolic representations of the Seven Virtues: Charity, Justice, Prudence, Hope, Faith, Fortitude and Temperance.  The vista of the hills and lake from the portico outside the sanctuary is spectacular. At the base of the hill, a small cove is a reminder of the time when "great crowds gathered about Jesus, so that he got into a boat "and taught the people who were on the shore." (Matthew. 13:1)