Elijah again

Today is the solemnity of St Anthony of Padua (or Lisbon, depending from where you are). For most of you it's just a memorial and for Franciscans worldwide it's a feastday. but here in the Holyland it's a solemnity (with Gloria and Credo during Mass) because St. Anthony is the patron saint of the friars of the Holyland. Most of our community went to the Solemn High Mass at St. Saviour's Monastery presided by the Custos (he wore his mitre today! we had a good laugh when he passed me by during the procession because he feels awkward wearing it). I celebrated Mass earlier at 6.30am at the Flagellation (as usual) and did some work before going up to St. Saviour's. I walk very slowly now so I left one hour ahead of the Solemn Mass. Went to visit our economo (treasurer) Fr Dobromir (he was my previous superior at the Flagellation), then went to the parish church of St. Saviour. It was crowded. Even the Orthodox Churches sent representatives for the Mass.

Many local Arab Catholics dedicate their children to St. Anthony today. They go up to the altar of St. Anthony and ask the priest for the blessing of St. Anthony; then they let the baby (usually less than a year old) wear the franciscan habit as a sign of dedication. Very cute!

I didn't concelebrate the Mass though. But I did get to greet the Custos in the sacristy - it's always nice to meet him even when he makes embarrassing remarks in front of everyone.... about me!

And it's in these big celebrations that you get to meet with people who live near you but you never get the chance to meet. So it was good catching up with old friends too.

Today's first reading of the daily Mass is again on Elijah. He goes up to Horeb and encounters God but note what God asks him - What are you doing here? Instead of giving the reason "I'm running away from Queen Jezebel" Elijah starts with "everyone else is bad, I'm the only good one left..." And this "conversation" is repeated. Well I've always thought that God is always asking us everyday, every moment "What are you doing here?" I wonder what answer we'll give - hopefully one that is relevant to the question! Or do we, like Elijah, have already a model answer that we launch no matter what the question is? So honestly what are you doing here?
WHAT are you doing here?
What ARE you doing here?
What are YOU doing here?
What are you DOING here?
What are you doing HERE?