"And early in the morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there." (Mark 1:35)

We often read these words and similar ones in other passages in the Bible. Many times we do not put much attention into them, not because we do not find them important, but because we too find our own places for solitude. The verse quoted above we find in the context of the preaching ministry of Jesus. He went to deserted places to pray, and very often, this was near the shores of the Sea of Galiee.

One of the days of my Israeli sojourn I spent in solitude. What place would be better than Tabgha--this "lonely place" near the Sea of Galilee? The hours from dawn to dusk I spent in peace--walking along the shore, breathing the fresh air, feeling the cool breeze, listening to the chirping of the birds, watching rock badgers, reading poetry and journal articles, and praying... experiencing calm and quiet.

The pictures here are a summary of a day of solitude at Tabgha, Galilee (Israel): a snapshot shortly after sunrise, two views of the lake, pictures of rock badgers, detail of the mosaic floor of a church (Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes), lake view at the site of the Church of Peter's Primacy, an ancient corner column base (heart shaped, one among many), another lakeshore view, and a snapshot at dusk.

For the ever-busy world we are in, it doesn't hurt to break our routine and depart to a lonely place--and there savour solitude, peace and many other beautiful things that are absolutely free.