Jerusalem Day

Yesterday morning I got up early as usual to go to the Holy Sepulchre - 5am. I know some people here think I'm crazy because it's Sunday so we should get up later etc.... but my thinking is: I'm here in Jerusalem where Jesus died, buried and rose. What a better way to spend Sunday morning then go early to the tomb like the women, before the sun rose?

I celebrate Mass at 5.30am then pray the Office of Readings and Lauds; then help out in the sacristy. Yesterday I helped carry the benches for people to sit for the solemn Mass at the tomb. Then Sr Ann, our cantor and organist, asked me to stay back for the solemn Mass to help sing because the usual friars in charge were on holiday so the choir has only 3 friars to sing the latin Mass - not enough voice. So I stayed back and helped sing the entire Mass. But when it ended at 6.30am I rushed off home because I have to feed the canaries.

I can't remember what else I did yesterday as I did abit here and there - was in the library twice, then my work on the computer then .... lost track. I have yet to see the doctor here now that I've received all the results from the hospital. Am too lazy to go all the way up to St Louis Hospital, but will have to ... soon.

I learned that Sr Irmina, the one who left us 2 weeks ago, is sick and will be operated on on June 5th - so pray for her ok? I thought something must be wrong because she left in such a hurry.

And last night was a pretty harrowing experience for some of us - it's Jerusalem Day (when the Israelis celebrate the re-unification of Jerusalem: 40 yrs back it was divided between Israel and Jordan but the Israeli army fought through Zion Gate and St Stephan's Gate into the Old City and reclaimed the entire Old City under the State of Israel. Of course the palestinians will not consider it as a re-unification of the City but rather a lost of territory). Anyway groups and groups of israeli students marched through the Muslim Quarter where I live, singing, dancing all through the night, all protected by soldiers and police. Many of the friars could not sleep. Me? I couldn't tell the difference. Was totally knocked out. Today the streets are also packed with Israelis. Groups making the Way of the Cross are having a difficult time. The cocky and brash arab shop-keepers who constantly harass us to show us who's the boss around here, are unusually silent and cowed today; all quietly standing by their shop doors while waves of Israeli students chant their triumph. Today they are reminded who is the actual boss around here.

Well, now for a short reflection. Yesterday's Gospel spoke to us about building houses on sand or rock. It's about foundations - both guys had the same need to build a house. Both guys had the same materials. But they differed in choosing the foundations. You can easily now transfer this mesage to your spiritual life, about your own faith foundation etc... but I'd like to through a different perspective to this - how about considering the foundations of your married life? or economic life (job)? or social life (friendship)? Are they based on need or wants? Are they based on enjoyment or necessity? Are they based on seflishness or selflessness? Are they based on God's will or your own will?