Caught inbetween

It was a frightening moment when I was caught up in a large, passionate demonstration by Hamas here inside the Old City yesterday evening. Our community had gone up to St Saviour's monastery for our annual exchange of greetings with the Custos. It was a much appreciated hour when the Custos updated us on things about the Custody of the Holyland, answered our questions, joked, ate panettone and drink cocoa (It's pretty cold outside and raining and very dark at 5pm). When our hour was up, the community went back home to the Flagellation Monastery but I stayed behind as the Custos wanted to speak with me. We chatted for some 25 mins., caught up alot on the past few months and then at 6.30pm I decided to leve for home (on foot of course).

I took the narrow streets in the Christian Quarter which I felt were safer than the main streets that are filled with armed soldiers; and I wore my habit to play safe. But as I reached the crossroads toward Damascus Gate, I could hear shouting and chanting "Allahu Akbar" in unison. It got louder and more aggressive. I realised I was stnding in the way of a huge anti-Israel rally on my left and a huge contingent of Israeli soldiers on my right - all it takes is one bullet and all hell will break lose. There was no place for me to go as both ends of the road were blocked by the two groups. It was a panic situation being caught between two opposing groups. And only after having a bottle thrown at my head only a few hours earlier ... i felt it was time to get out quick.

Only hope was to return back to the alley - which fortunately the Missionaries of Charity's convent is situated. I rang the bell and two sisters pulled me in and locked the door immediately. They told me to stay over night at their convent if the demonstration got ugly or went on late into the night. I also quickly changed my clothes to civilian as the anti-Christian feelings of the Muslim extremist might get me killed out in the streets now. The sisters were adoring the Blessed Sacrament (Holy Hour) so I joined them, give them Benediction and after an hour decided to try and go home. Jesus' presence was very reassuring.

Two sisters insisted on accompanying me back home (if we could) as it would be safer - both Jews and Muslims respect Mother Teresa very much and will not harm the sisters, so Sr Capilla and Sr Sophia were actually protecting me. The street was alot quieter now, but still with many soldiers and pockets of arab youths taunting and shouting slogans. We hurried down to the 3rd Station of the Cross then turned up the road to my place which is the 2nd Station.

It was one scary moment facing a wall of angry arabs punching the air with their fists, shouting slogans and taunting the armed Israeli soldiers. And Israel hs now officially used the word "war" : http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/12/29/gaza.israel.strikes/index.html?iref=mpstoryview