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Saturday, August 23, 2003
Flavier: The parable of the Sea of Galilee
By Juan Flavier
THE farmer could not believe what he just heard. Not even in his wildest dreams did he imagine taking such an exciting trip.
For his outstanding achievement in rice and corn farming, the government had selected him as the Farmer of the Year. That was truly a great honor. But seeing the president of the country was the highlight for the farmer.
During the ceremony, the announcement was made. The farmer almost fainted with joy. He pinched his leg to convince himself that his ears were not deceiving him. In addition to all the rewards in financial and material terms, the farmer was told for the first time of a special study tour to Israel.
All expenses paid and every detail arranged by the governments of the Philippines and Israel.
The farmer was excited at the prospects of visiting the Kibutzim and Moshavim (cooperative settlements in Israel). Also, to see the tremendous advances in Israel. How they converted the deserts into teeming agriculture oases.
But as a Christian, the farmer was doubly thrilled at the chance of visiting the land of the Living Bible - of setting foot on holy places related to the life of Jesus Christ.
When the farmer reached Israel, he was overwhelmed by the modernization of the country. But it was the visit of the holy place he thought of.
He loved Bethlehem, Mount Calvary, the Mount of Olives, Gethsamane, Masada, the Wailing Wall, the Via Dolorasa, etc. In his heart, he kept thinking of the Sea of Galilee. Perhaps, it was because of the deeply ingrained image of Jesus walking on water at Galilee. But not just the lake of Galilee and the River Jordan. There was also the Dead Sea.
The farmer wanted to sail in a boat and be brought to more or less the exact site where Christ walked on water.
Unfortunately, that activity was not included in the official schedule. So the farmer contracted out a boat from an Israeli. The price for the trip to the exact site where the Christ walked the Sea of Galilee was pegged at ten dollars. The farmer made a mental calculation. It came to five hundred pesos. High but reasonable enough.
With great thrill, the farmer reached the holy site on the Sea of Galilee. He prayed fervently and was brought to tears for the once-in-a-lifetime experience. For a long while, he scanned the sea and the horizon. He imagined Jesus peering at the hills of Jordan.
Still moved by the fervor of his emotions, he requested the boatman to return to shore.
"I am sorry but the return trip is a different fare. The ten dollars is only for the coming. To return, that will be one hundred dollars," explained the Israeli in a courteous and clear tone.
"My God!" exclaimed the farmer, "Now I know why Jesus Christ walked on water!"
(August 23, 2003 issue)
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