In the gospels, Jesus always seemed to be on the move, so I've never thought of him having a home as an adult. But if he did, it was Capernaum. Next to Jerusalem, Capernaum is the most frequently mentioned city in the gospels. Above are ruins of Capernaum. In the background, on the right is a modern church constructed over the remnants of Peter's house (see below).
Jesus likely stayed in the home of Peter. The excavated remains of Peter's house are under the glass. One room in the house has ancient graffiti on the walls, which says things like, Jesus is Lord and Christ. It was likely in this house that the healing of the paralytic man occurred (Mark 2:1-12). What good friends this disabled man had. They persevered in their attempts to bring him to Jesus, taking off part of the roof and lowering him down.
Besides the home of Jesus, remains of a first century synagogue where Jesus would have preached, are in Capernaum.
As the sign on the wall above says, a 4th century synagogue (white stone) was built a top the ruins of the 1st century synagogue.
In this synagogue, the gospels tell of Jesus casting out a demon from a man (Mark 1:21-39).
Jesus also delivered the Bread of Life Discourse in this synagogue (John 6:22-25.
"For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." So they said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."
Father Michael and Peggy read the Gospel of the Bread of Life.
The flag of Jerusalem flies over Capernaum.
St. Peter is honored in a special way in his home town.
"Who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:15-19
Above is the Homeless Jesus statue, one of several located around the world. Though the head and hands of Jesus are covered, his feet bear the marks of the Crucifixion. The statue is a visual representation of Matthew 25:45 Whatever you did not for the least of my brothers, you did not for me.
Capernaum is on my beautiful Sea of Galilee.
Fr. Michael shares the story, Goin' Fishin' with us, appropriate to hear in Capernaum, the hometown of fishermen and fishers of men.
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