8th Day of Novena

Mother Teresa said "Our life must be woven with the Eucharist." "Jesus made himself the Bread of Life that we may be able to eat and live and be able to see him in the distressing guise of the poor."

thought for the day

Mother Teresa said "Joy is the sign of union with God... Joy is love, the normal result of a heart burning with love."

Mother's feastday is in 3 days time.

alternative?

Was talking to a friend who is now a retired nurse. He said he saw so much active/invasive intervention , some needless, most resulting in insignificant success, he is now checking out alternative medicine which he was once skeptic. What he said was an intersting insight which can be applied to many other situations: "There is no definite one way to do something, though some people may like to think so. It is always good to have alternatives to choose from, to stand back, see the situation from a different perspective, gather up your forces, and fight it from an alternative perspective." I wonder how this applies to the growing sickening attack on religious (see below) these recent months.

Attacks on religious

Franciscan friars in Turin were attacked so severely that one is in a coma. Check out http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7585841.stm Nothing is stopping this relentless attack on religious - from India to Italy. it is getting worldwide, and more and more violent.

unsafe

There's an unease in our area today. The shop-keeper two doors away from us was murdered. Posters of his death is stuck all around our quarter. It feels unsafe to walk around here now.

But that's not all. Two elderly shop-keepers near the 6th Station of the Cross were murdered several months back. Whatever is happening around here? Only yesterday I spoke about peace among the Jews and Arabs, but today I experience so much violence from among the arabs themselves.

Yesterday night we caught several youths doing drugs at the back of our place. They cut through the fence and have apparently been around for some time already - because there were mattresses for sleeping, a broken couch and lots of other stuff. We welded the fence back this morning. But you know what? It doesn't feel safe. But the ten of us left here have a more important mission now - to be instruments of peace.

Mother Teresa said: "Allow God to use you without consulting you."

Persecution

Persecution of Christians continue around the world. This morning a friend from Italy emailed to say a Catholic nun was burnt alive by hindu extremists. See the BBC report at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7581154.stm

Of ants

The streets from St Stephan's Gate (passing through our house) to the junction at the 3rd Station of the Cross - then spreading to the left up to the 5th Station; and to the right up to Damascus Gate - have all been festooned with lights and buntings for Ramadan. It is very festive. In fact they have even washed the streets! For the first time in 15 years I can see the actual stone colours - pink, yellow, white - when before it was thick with grime. There are many Jewish groups coming into our area to see and understand a bit of Islam and understand what Ramadan is about. It is very very good.

Also I saw Jewish women shopping for vegetables from the Bedouin women - each couldn't speak the language of the other, yet somehow transactions were made and everyone was happy. After choosing their vegetables, the Jewish women offer a handful of coins to the Bedouin women; the Bedouin picks from the coins the price she wants; both nod their heads in agreement, smile and move on.

So contrary to what many skeptics are spreading through the streets of Jerusalem that there can never be peace; these people are grassroots level are showing that it can. There is hope. So long as we leave extremism out.

This morning the Orthodox Christians celebrate the Dormition of Mary. They flocked to the Holy Sepulchre the whole night and began the solemn procession of carrying the ancient silver icon of Mary from the Holy Sepulchre to her tomb in the Kidron valley (passing by our house of course) at 5am. The bells were ringing for half an hour throughout the Old City and I was wondering what was happening. They usually never ring the church bells and the procession usually takes place in the evenings. What a surprise. Three days later they will celebrate Mary's assumption into heaven.

Peace among Christians? Why not? This morning Greek and Russian monks nodded heads and smiled and said "Good morning" to me as I went to the Holy Sepulchre to pray. It's not an isolated case - it happens all the time. Schism and heresy may be the official words flung about, but at our "little people" level, we're all friends.

Yet this reminds me of the African proverb - "When elephants fight, it is the ants who suffer."

But we mustn't give up hope. Mother Teresa said:

"Confidence in God can do all things. It is our emptiness and lowliness that god needs and not our plenitude."

Thank you God, for Daniel.

Mother Teresa said:

"How close we must keep to Our Lady who understood what depth of Divine Love was being revealed as she stood at the foot of the Cross and heard jesus cry out: I Thirst!"

This morning we paid honour to our good friend Daniel Cavero at a Eucharistic celebration. We thanked God for giving us this wonderful man of God, for sharing his life with us, for sharing his joy with us. To all friends who study the Bible at the DS Bible Centre, you will remember gratefully that it was Daniel who started this initiative to bring God's Word to everyone. We owe him alot. We continue to pray for the repose of his soul.

Thought for the day

Mother Teresa:

"Until you know deep inside that Jesus thirsts for you, you can't begin to know who He wants to be for you. Or who He wants you to be for Him."

Heart-warming story

This is one incredible story. Dogs can sure give you lots of surprises. Check out http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/08/22/argentina.dog.tale/index.html

A significant gesture

It's a significant gesture on Israel's part to allow the two boats to enter Gaza ... it takes alot of goodwill and cautious trust. As the papers report, it wouldn't amount to much - but it is nevertheless a significant gesture.

Check out http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7578880.stm and http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1219218618084&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Just watched a show on Australia Christian Channel (webcast) about an Arab and an Israeli druggies, who were brought up to hate the other race, both extremists, got caught up in drugs to numb out the violence, how they encountered Jesus through the "House of Victory" (Protestant church in Haifa) and are now friends. It is so great to know of such good news happening in this land. What was astounding was when the Israeli guy - high on drugs, began quarreling with the wife and asked "Where can I get help?" and his son who was sleeping, spoke in his sleep "The Son of the Lord". It changed the whole family's life.

surprise

2.45pm - not time for muslim prayers. So imagine my surprise when I heard the audio system turning on from the Dome of the Rock mosque (the mineret is very close to my window - literally across the street). Then a very high pitched voice shouts "Allahu akhba" several times before the system is suddenly switched off. Whoever that joker is - I think the Wakf (mosque authorities) must have got him.

Daniel Cavero

The funeral Mass for Daniel Cavero will be at St Joseph's Church (Garden Road, Hong Kong) on Monday 25th at 10am. Please be united in prayer for the repose of his good soul and the consolation of his family.

Thought for the day

From Mother Teresa

"Jesus loves you tenderly, you are precious to him. Turn to Jesus with great trust and allow yourself to be loved by him. The past belongs to his mercy, the future to his providence and the present to his love."

fireworks

Ramadan is round the corner. The muslim quarter is getting ready for the great fast - and feast (after sunset). I know they make good ktayif (sort of pancake with cheese or walnuts) during this period so I'm looking forward to it. Also yesterday Nadia (asst. cook) made sfiha (arab pizza with lamb-meat) that I like very much too. However I've lost my appetite and ate only 2 (They're pretty small - like 5cm across). All the other guys egged me to take more but I just can't eat. I throw up.

So Ramadan is coming round - yesterday night fireworks everywhere which initially scares me because it sounds like gunfire. My first reaction is to close the windows and lay low. Am getting paranoid.

The weather has changed as well. The day is hot as ever. But by 5pm a cool breeze blows, pretty strong breeze too. In the mornings it gets very humid and it feels like it will rain ... but this disappears like a shadow when the sun comes up. Summer is fading and autumn is creeping in quietly but early. Soon the leaves will fall.

Bad news

This is not good news. We'll have to be extra careful going out from now on.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1219218617708&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

And this is frightening. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1219218618703&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Now you can understand Israel's need for security.

Last Supper Room in danger

The Last Supper Room is once again in danger of being destroyed and taken over by a Jewish institute. The Francsicans were forced out of this sanctuary 500 years ago but have constantly fought for the restitution of its right over this place. Now Crusader and other ancient artifacts may be destroyed forever in this Holy Place where the Church was born, where the Eucharist was instituted, where the priesthood was instituted, where the Holy Spirit descended.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1219218613467&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Valley of Dry Bones

The attempt to break the "siege" of Gaza by activists was thwarted once earlier this week; now they try again. See http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1219218607817&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Let the children in Gaza smile - a little medication, a little hope, that's all they need. But no violence... no more violence please.

And religious intolerance is alot closer to you guys back home than you think. Have you read this? http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1219218616072&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Today is the memorial of Mary's Queenship. It's a followup of last week's feast of the Assumption; and is part of the glorious mysteries of the rosary. It's also the feastday of the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Theresa's sisters). I celebrated Mass the last two days of the Triduum for them. We've been praying hard for special intentions, and we remember one confrere who's seriously ill right now. Today is also the birthday of Mother Theresa and is the beginning of the novena to her feastday in September. I'm sure Mother Theresa will intercede on our behalf. The desperate situation we find ourselves in is well reflected in today's reading from the prophet Ezekiel about the Valley of Dry Bones. After the intercession of the prophet, a wind blows and the bones rattle and come back together with flesh and sinews. They came back to life. May God, through the intercession of Mary and Mother Theresa, bring us back to life.

Untold news

Another untold news. A couple of young Christian men were shot by Hamas in Gaza recently. Some have recovered but need help with walking. But one was shot quite badly and rehabilitation is slow. I think he got it near the spine. He just had a second operation a few days back to enable him to walk again. I cannot tell you the pain, sadness, frustration that we (Mother Theresa's sisters as well) feel about this. Who gave them the right to shot someone else just because he is christian? Do you people know how bad the situation is for Christians in Gaza today? Honestly? I cannot enter Gaza now myself - it's simply too dangerous. But the aid to Christians there will not stop. It must not.

See also http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7570605.stm

Meanwhile the sisters' good work doesn't stop there. They obviously noticed how thin I've become and are worried; so they got to force-feeding me yesterday. They cooked lunch for me and got me over to their convent for dinner so they can make me eat. They are really very nice and caring - I owe them big time.

News

Tourism to Jerusalem's east side is on the rise. There're lots of unique historical sites to see, such as the newly reopened Damascus Gate Roman Courtyard. See http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1218710408527&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Mind you, it's not just foreign visitors but lots of Israeli weekenders who spent a day in the Old City - something I've not seen in the past 15 years. Only problem is they wear skimpy clothes and don't respect the holiness of our Christian sites.

Meanwhile Israel won the Bronze for windsurfing - Shahar Zubari did a good job and Israel is jubilant today. We talked alot about it at lunch today.

Personally I've lost all energy and tire out easily. Am too weak for any thing - in fact Khalil the cook and Jadallah our handyman had to help me clean the birdcage - something I've been doing alone for almost a year.

Food fight

The raging topic in Jerusalem today is a vicious email circulating to blacklist restaurents who hire non-Jews because it would render the food non-kosher. The argument goes as far as deciding if it is kosher if a Jew lighted the fire and a non-Jew places uncooked food on it (to cook of course). Read http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1218710408515&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

I hope you guys appreciate how easily you get food in your restaurents; and how complicated it can become here in Jerusalem.

The other news is the sale of illegal antiquities. See http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1218710408521&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Unfortunately national treasures are constantly pillaged. To adapt the WWF quote: When the buying stops, the pillaging can too.

Games fever

Singapore won it's first Olympic medal in 60 yrs! Silver for the women's table tennis team! fantastic!

Alot of news on Phelps, but what caught my eye (and it seems to be lost in the news) is Tunisia's Oussama Mellouli's gold in the 1,500m freestyle. Although he was dropped from the 2004 games for doping, he now has made it big. Or Cesar Cielo of Brazil winning the gold in the 50m freestyle. Underdog winners are the real stars of the Games - it makes the Olympics so much more exciting when something unexpected happens.

Have you noticed what the winners are presented with after they get their medals? - red roses wrapped in fern and hosta .... duuuuuh?! I expected maybe chinese chrysanthemums or an artistic bamboo carving or even a panda doll or replica Ming vase ... you know .... something characteristically chinese. But red roses in fern and hosta???? Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Funny logic.

I've been wondering at how severe airport authorities are when dealing with liquids over 100ml. carried as hand-luggage. They also confiscate and throw away scissors, shaving-blades etc... So people go through security loosing all these things. Then they pass security through immigration and enter their boarding-gates. But all around the boarding gates are shops selling the very things you're not allowed to bring onto the plane and which they were just thrown away! Litres of water, alcohol-based medicine, scissors, cutters, shaving-blades .... all sold before you board the plane. Isn't that one big fat joke? Now I don't bother bringing these things with me when I fly. I just go straight to the shops and buy those stuff and carry them on board.

Daniel Cavero R.I.P.

My very good friend Daniel Cavero passed away yesterday. He was a good man and he loved God and his neighbour immensely. The sun has set, Daniel .... you can go to sleep now. We will meet again when we awake.

Good show

Singapore's Tao Li was among the finalists of the 100m butterfly in the Olympics. Now that's some acheivement! Though she didn't win the bronze that she was aiming, the fact that she was competing with the world's best swimmers is itself a success. Good show!

Meanwhile I thought I saw the Singapore flag among the windsurfers in today's competition. Can't really tell because the TV is pretty grainy.

Today's gospel tells us how Jesus got Peter to catch a fish and find a shekel in its mouth to pay for both his and Peter's Temple tax. Note that the pharisees only asked for Jesus' tax but Jesus was so generous, he even offered to pay for Peter - through the fish! Something for us to think about during this Olympics - its not all about winning but the exercise of a magnanimous spirit.

Olympic pride

What a kick-off for the Olympics! Believe me, everyone here was very impressed by the opening ceremony. Now people in the streets ask me how are the games going, or what am I doing here instead of Beijing watching the games!

The spirit of the games make me thiink of what St Paul said - "I have fought the good fight, I have run the good race, .... to win a crown not of fading laurels but a crown of eternal life".

Thanks

Thanks to Yung Lai Fong and Yeung Sin Ming Alice for their kind donation.

Kammuri lesson

We're in a whirl .... Jerusalem is whirling in roadworks and traffic jams. Dust, noise and heat. Cars and pedestrians fighting each other for the tiny piece of road left for walking/driving while the rest is cordonned off for lightrail works. Shop keepers loosing business. Fear of another bulldozer attack. Tourists posing for photos and blocking everything else.

But the whirl is not just physical - it's also emotional, social, political. The news of how a family actually forgot and left their 4 yr old behind in the Tel Aviv airport is just one example of how people are just so caught up in this whirl that all sense or commonsense is lost. See http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7540112.stm Reminds you of Luke's Gospel? The growing sense of unhappiness can be felt throughout. See the expression of dissatisfaction in this article http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331212450&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

But cheer up - Israelis have gone through worse times. They'll ride this one off as well.

Meanwhile the whirlwind of confusion, fear and suspicion is blowing everywhere else. Last night there was another wedding party (this time our neighbours on our right). Remembering the last party was an occassion for the killing of 2 soldiers near us, I decided to play it safe by locking all the doors on my side of the monastery, locking my windows and staying inside my room.

Someone fell from Mt. Calvary yesterday while we were leading the procession at the Holy Sepulchre. We couldn't see anything but the chaos that ensued was incredible. Ambulance finally came. I heard that the person broke a knee or hip or something.

So we're in a whirl here in Israel - not unlike Kammuri that hit HK. I read about problem of glass-buildings that suffered during Kammuri's strike. Likewise here in Israel we should be thinking seriously if we want to live in glass houses, expect trouble when a typhoon strikes.

crocs

Stunned! The reports of crocodile sightings in Singapore is great. I've always been fascinated by the local saltwater crocs. See http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/22291/story.htm and http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=2013&icid=4&d_str=20080806

Thing is it would be greater if they would leave the crocs alone. They're obviously escaped or released specimens. Saltwater crocodiles are practically extinct in Singapore now (except for the one in Sungei Buloh). Remember back 30 yrs when the Jurong Chinese Gardens first opened and there were warnings along the bank about crocodiles? Well they're all gone now .... a terrible tragedy for local wildlife. Singapore should be proud of its unique fauna and start a conservation programme for such rare reptiles and, turning it positively, start eco-tourism (like Sungei Buloh), to make the programme self-running. BTW the websites on the Sungei Buloh specimen is always portraying it as a man-eater and dangerous. Very unlikely for a 5 foot juvenile - and most probably not even an indigenous saltwater specimen: it's more likely a freshwater specimen that escaped and grew in the estuary. Just simply leave it alone - it's probably the last of its kind (if its a true salty) so let it enjoy it's last moment on the planet.

Other than Australia, I don't think there's any other SEA country interested in its indigenous crocodiles. Thailand is trying to reintroduce captivity bred crocs back into its rivers, but they're not the original species. Those've been extinct quite some time now. And .... in Israel the last native croc killed was 60 years back in the Crocodilion river near Caesarea Maritima. Now in Israel you'll only find the biblical croc in the pages of the Bible.

You know, once they're gone, they're gone! It'll be too late for regrets .... but as if anyone cares!

* Just found a website saying in 2005 they actually caught a croc from Sungei Kranji and released it in Sungei Buloh to be with the one already resident there. Hmmm I still have my suspicions if these are real salties. Check out http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php?entry=/nature/20051214-kranji_crocodile.txt

animal farm

The recent war with Lebanon saw many casualties in northern Israel. In this J.P. article, we see its not just people who suffered but also the animals. Check out http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331190641&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Traffic jam

I see from the Jerusalem Post that traffic yesterday in the New City was a nightmare due to the construction of the light-rail system. See http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331191360&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull It's a necessary evil I guess (2 years of construction!) because it attempts to solve the congestion, heat and safety of Jerusalem's inhabitants as well as the swelling number of tourists.

Today the sisters serving in our monastery celebrate their patron feastday - Our Lady of Mercy. They sang (only 2 left in the community!) very well during Mass. I guess they'll have lots of guests (Polish of course) today streaming in.

Meanwhile health is a big thing in our community now. I think eventually we'll have a little grp who'll take a brisk walk after dinner around the city (2kms - 4kms) just to stay healthy..... unless we get mugged, of course! My BP has been 130 over 85 this entire week. And my nose has been bleeding for 2 days now despite using the nasal spray. In fact it was yesterday when I was working on my paper when suddenly I found my table and shirt splashed with blood from my nose - no warning! The local doc has no idea what's happening. I think it's the BP gone up and blew a capillary.

Anyway back to work .... the silence of the library is great. Only the doctoral students are left - we don't have holidays (unofficially) as we're very pressed for time to finish our papers and use of the library. Talk about tension. Talked to Fr Vincenzo 2 days back and he's asking me to help out in Cairo. Like I can't even help myself here!

Thanks

To the following people, thanks for their generosity:

1) Agnes Leung, Danial Ko & Eliz So for the Kassis family, Caritas Baby Hospital and sponsorship for Fr Sun/Sr. Jiang.

2) Raymond for sponsorship of Fr Sun/Sr.Jiang

Thanks

Thanks to the Millenium group for their generous donation:

1) To the Holyland: Lina Lee, Lourdes Chan, Lo Yuet Ho, Au Fai Ah

2) Cecilia Ho, Chan Yee Hung

3) Sponsorship of the chinese priest and sister: Lee Lai Ching and friends, & Sophia Ho

We will remember you all in our prayers.

kosher donations?

So here's the story: American Evangelical Christians are big donors to Jewish welfare agencies in Israel because they believe that by serving the Israeli cause especially in the gathering of all the Jewish people into Israel, the Messiah will return. However the problem now is can Jews accept donations from Christians because it is not kosher? See http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331156879&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Meanwhile many pilgrims are also doing their part to help the local Christians who are suffering especially in Gaza. Many Singapore groups are offering basic hygiene needs such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and especially basic medicines like asperin and water-purification tablets. (Wish other groups would be likewise be so generous). I collect all these and find means to get them transported into Gaza for the Christians. Usually the Missionaries of Charity are the only ones daring enough to enter this most dangerous region of Palestine. But the recent examples of Fr Blaise (Missionary of Charity - male branch) and Bishop Lafont who entered Gaza and risked their lives to see for themselves the dire situation of the Christians - well it's pushing me to enter Gaza myself to bring the next lot of medicine. I know full well the risk involved (see what happened yesterday http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331170502&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull ) and when I do decide to enter (and exit alive), I'll let you know. If not - then well .... it was a blessing knowing you and may God bless you always. Just remember one thing - there are Christians in the Holyland who are less fortunate than you are. Do your part to help.

a sewing machine

There was a touching piece of news I saw a few days back on TV. They were reporting on the Burmese (Myanmar) refugees on the Myanmar-Thai border. Some had a lucky break and will go to America to start a new life. One man was asked what he hoped for when arriving in America with his family. One would have expected him to say a life of peace, or education for his children, or freedom of speech or religion, or proper housing and sanitation. Instead he said "I want a sewing machine. Then I can work and feed my family." Such is the honest simplicity, pride and honour of this refugee people. He only thought of his duty to provide for his family - not for luxury but for a simple life to get by.

From Sr. Maria Jiang

Sr. Maria updates through an email dated July 26th:

"...davvero mia cosa le preso tanta fatica, e io dal cuore le rendo grazie! spero adesso tutto pronto. Adesso sto faccendo un servizio a un anziano sacerdote, prossima settimana cioè Agosto sarò in Inghilttera a studiare un po' inglese, e Sep, tornerò a Roma ad aspettare la sua notizia."

translation ad sensum
"... indeed you have taken much trouble to arrange for my things [studies, scholarship, visa etc..] and I thank you from the heart. I hope everything is now in order. Right now I'm helping an old priest, and next week in August I'll go to England to study some english. In September I will return to Rome and await your instructions [for the visa]".

Donation update

Thanks to all the generous donors for the various help you have offered:

For the Musky children US$6,700 (all transferred to Musky already). As was previously reported, Fr. Vincenzo is not only using the money to provide food for the children but also sponsoring 3-5 students to go to school. This project to help the poor children in Musky (Cairo) is always open for more donations.

For the Kassis family US$5,100 (all given to the Kassis family already). Mr Kassis thanks you all. This still falls short of the necessary help the family needs (6 in the family) so please continue your generous support.

For the scholarship of Fr Paul Sun and Sr. Maria Jiang US$22,696. Both have recently written to express their heartfelt thanks to you all. Your continued donation is still much appreciated.

For the Caritas Baby Hospital in Bethlehem US$250. We are hoping to help fund a generator for the hospital.

Your beneficiaries here in the Holyland assure you of their prayers and thanks.