From Auden to "O" antiphons

We just had a "raduno" of the professors, students and workers at the Sala Crociata (Crusader Hall) to exchange Christmas greetings. Those young students really set up the place - Fr. Carmelo (archaeology professor who came to Israel as a seminarian in 1992 with me - I was already a priest) said. "Remember back in our time when all we had were music sheets to sing and a few potato chips?" yes it was 15 years back and we were poorer and simpler than the modern generation. So we had songs in various languages, a speech by the Dean and then chatting and eating - nice fancy panettone, and lots of other goodies. Wanted to "ta pao" some up to my room but got some very strange looks ..... ooops. Well not all the students came because 50% had already flown back home for Christmas. Same with the professors. But about 60 people showed up so that's not bad. Some of us staying back will have to guide groups.

This morning I woke up at 3.30am and couldn't sleep. There was a bright light coming through the chinks of the heavy wooden blinds - hhmmm aliens must have landed. Pulled up the blinds and opened the windows and I couldn't believe it - the Golden Dome of the Rock mosque was missing. There were bright lights all over the mosque esplanade, bright bright bright, but no mosque! I thought they must be filming a trick with David Copperfield. So I went up to the roof to get a better look. Aaahh then I saw that the whole of the Mt of Olives and the Kidron Valley was gone too! Fog! It was really heavy fog. And the bright lights from the Mosque esplanade was reflected all around and this made the entire place very bright but nothing to see. Real weird. The muslims are spending the 3rd day of their feast praying overnight in the mosque. It's cold and wet. Raining for the entire afternoon and night. I have to wear a woollen cap to keep my head warm.

Yesterday afternoon we also set up the decorations for the house. Marco the Mexican and I fixed up the refectory. I insisted on keeping it simple - none of those gaudy tinsel (and there're lots of it in the boxes). Spent over an hour to do it - but I like it. Simple and nice. The rest of the guys had to do the main entrance and the upper floor. And after all these decorations, there's hardly anyone to enjoy it. Everyone will be going off this weekend and leaving only 8 friars in the house. Hmmmm.

And I am receiving good news from some of you guys - two weddings and one entering religious life (no not quite 3 weddings and a ..... although last week I had this strange urge to reread W.H. Auden's "Stop all the clocks". Really powerful images. Can't remember this poem? It was read at the homily of the funeral in the movie. Haven't seen the movie? Go buy a DVD for goodness sake!) So at least some of us are really happy! Too bad I'm not around to share your happiness; like I explained I can't leave Israel and come to HK to celebrate your wedding masses or entry to religius life, much as I love to - like in the case of Sandy whom I saw grew up these last 21 years in HK.

For your reflection you should think about those beautiful "O" antiphons that we are singing at every evening prayer (also for the Alleluia verse at Mass). They are very well written and reflect the theological concepts of the 8th century Church regarding the coming of the Messiah by using Old Testament images to describe Jesus - like "Wisdom", "Key of David", "Orient", "Root of Jesse" etc... Will give you some leads on this.

Meanwhile for those too lazy to check out W.H.Auden's "Stop all the clocks" here it is:

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.