The 9th Beatitude

The land around us was hundreds of feet below sea level. The green hills, pitted with rock and stones, rolled down toward the Sea of Galilee. We found an unmarked path and began the steep climb. Waist high grass on both sides of the dirt trail whipped back and forth in the stiff wind. The top of the hill lay hidden, like a mystery waiting to be revealed.

We pushed ourselves higher and were rewarded with a sight that some believe could only have come from the divine. As we crested the hill, the land became flatter and the wide swath of cut grass in front of us formed a maze-like pattern that led to the Church of the Beatitudes. This Roman Catholic Church is believed to be built on the site where Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mont, a compilation of moral sayings. Best known of the Sermon are the eight Beatitudes (Matthew: 3-10)

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Built in 1938, the Church of the Beatitudes is octagonal in shape, reflecting the eight Beatitudes. Around the Church, palms, and hibiscus, and tall slender cypress trees added to the sweeping views across the Galilee.

Earlier in the day, while waiting for a bus in Nazareth, a taxi driver, named Riad, persuaded us to empty our pockets of 170 shekels, about $50, to drive us the 45 minutes to Capernaum, a few kilometres up the road from the place where Jesus gave his sermon. Riad had said he would drive us back to Nazareth, but we didn’t want to be at the mercy of a pesky cab driver, so we said we would find our own way back.

So, after visiting the Church, and with little idea how we would get back to Nazareth, we descended the grassy hill, and wandered along the side of the road hoping to find a taxi. But there were none; only speeding cars and tour buses.

We walked on a little further and thinking that we would never get a taxi, I asked John if he would pray for a taxi. I figured since he would always do the sign of the cross each time we went into a church, and inside he would often pray or meditate, I thought he may have a connection to God, who would be able to call a cab for us.

“You pray for a cab,” he shot back

“But I wouldn’t know what to do or where to start,”

So, none of us prayed. Instead, we walked on. In the distance, a threatening storm cloud grew larger. I made half-hearted attempts to try and flag down passing cars and trucks. But none stopped. Hadn’t they heard of the Good Samaritan story, I thought as they all zoomed past? We finally made it to a busy road, and found a bus stop. We waited for some time until a taxi stopped with another passenger and asked if we wanted a ride. We climbed in and raced toward Tiberias.

With apologies to Jesus, I think that given our experience trying to get back to Nazareth, and to make the Beatitudes a little more relevant to our time, a ninth Beatitude should be added. And to make the process a little easier, I’ll propose some draft text:

Blessed are those that can find a taxi
for they won’t have to stand on the side of the road wondering if they’ll get home before nightfall