The Chapel of the Primacy of Peter (Tabgha)

1st May, 2006

After a boat trip in the Sea of Galilee, we returned to the pier which is near a Museum called ‘Yigal Allon Centre’; exhibiting believe to be a first century skeletal remains of a fishing boat. We gave a missed owing lack of time and rushing to our next destination.

We boarded our coach and are off again heading for a place called ‘Tabgha’ on the North Western side of Galilee. Upon arrival we alighted and descended the slop to the foot of the hill to where a small chapel located by the sea shore named the “Primacy of Peter’. This spot is known as Simon Peter’s landing place; here is shown the greatness of our Lord. It tells us whoever believes and obeys Jesus as Peter did will see the manifestation of his glory. At what seemed to be senseless command of Jesus, Peter rowed out to the deep to let down his nets to a spot where fish were unlikely to be found. The order were completely against the common sense of fisherman. But Peter obeyed and replied, ‘At your word, I will let down the nets’. Peter had high expectation of what Jesus would do, because he believed that Jesus could make the impossible, possible. That miracles would occur at his command. We should follow Peter’s example, have faith and daring to act upon Jesus’ words in obedience, even they appear illogical. And like Peter we could discover who Jesus truly is. Jesus had promised Peter that he would be the primate of the Church (Matt 16:16-19) Despite not long ago during his passion Peter had denied him thrice. Peter had learned his lesson from bitter experience of his wretchedness. Aware of his weakness he puts everything in Christ’s hands, ‘Lord, you know well that I love you’.

This episode is a reminder of the first miraculous catch of fish in Lk 5:1-11, where our Lord promised Peter that he would make him a fisher of men; now he is going to confirm him in his mission as visible head of his church.

Inside the chapel is a flat-top rock formation like a table and a placard in ‘Latin’ at the foot describing it as ‘Mensa Christi’ (table of Christ). Here Jesus singled out Peter.and asked him three times if he love him and Peter answered affirmative thrice. Then Christ who is the ‘Good Shepherd’ gave Peter all the authority that he had earlier promised by this gesture, ‘Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.’ He confer upon Peter the responsibility as leader, the shepherd to lead his flock. In Lk 22:31-32 ‘Christ prayed that Peter would have faith that would never fail, that he would be a guide for the others.

The Chapel of the Primacy of Peter at Tabgha

Jn 21:9-17 ‘As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore, full of fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and inspite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast’. None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?; they knew quite well it was the Lord, Jesus. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This is the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.

After the meal Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you’. Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs’. A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Lord, you know I love you’. Jesus said, ‘look after my sheep’. Then he said to him a third time, ‘Do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you, Jesus said to him, ‘feed my sheep’.

The Chapel of the Primacy of Peter was built of black basalt by the Franciscans in 1933 over the 4th century foundation.