From February 5 to 12, a group of Senior High School students had the wonderful opportunity of doing a retreat-pilgrimage in the Holy Land. They were accompanied by Father Roque Reyes, their Theology Teacher and School Chaplain. According to Father Reyes, he initiated and organized the trip because “I wanted my students to see where Jesus lived; and walk where He walked in order to know and love Him better. It was only for a little over a week, but it was a life changing experience for all of us. Seeing the place where God who became man lived and walked left an indelible mark in our Christian life and changed forever the way we look at life.”
The group was also joined by some parents, alumnae, faculty and staff. Among them was Chiqui Agoncillo, Woodrose Class of 2012, whose daily reflections we share here.
06 February 2018 (Day 1)
07 February 2018
At the Wedding Church at Cana, our first stop of the day, Father Reyes told parents and singles alike during meditation that marriage is continuous martyrdom. While touring the church, Murad advised us to pray to Mary to also “fill up our jars,” and to also “do whatever Jesus tells us.”
After visiting the Church of the Multiplication [of the loaves and fish], we went to the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter, also in Tabgha. Father Reyes, in his meditation, drew attention to the fact that despite Jesus’ knowledge of our personal histories and sins, He still shows us that as many times as we fail, He invites us to renew our love for Him.
We then visited the House and Church of St. Peter in Capernaum, where Jesus based his ministry after having been rejected in Nazareth. Next was the Church of the Beatitudes on the mountain of the same name. Here, Father Reyes asked us to reflect on how the Beatitudes are a self-portrait of Jesus, as well as the key to happiness. For lunch in Tiberias, we were blessed with the opportunity to eat St. Peter’s fish (tilapia)!
Aboard a boat sailing on the Sea of Galilee, and during what may have been the most scenic and appropriate meditation venue ever for most if not all of us in the group, Father Reyes spoke of parables relating to the lake, or episodes that took place there. He talked about receptivity to the Word in the Parable of the Mustard Seed, and about how Jesus can calm whatever storms we might have so long as we have faith. With our eyes fixed on Jesus, He will work miracles!
We ended the day with a visit to the Yardenit Baptismal Site located along the Jordan River. While not the actual site of our Lord’s baptism, it was a fitting setting for the renewal of our baptismal vows, to renew and reclaim the faith we own.
