O King of the nations

Wow another Internet cable cut in the Mediterranean Sea - it's affecting us here in Israel as well. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7792688.stm

So Israel is ready to go to war with Gaza. Doesn't sound like a nice way to end the year, nor begin 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7794577.stm Gaza has been firing rockets into Israel practically every other day.

Yesterday evening at 4.30pm I helped to "create" the crib in the chapel. It took 2 hours - and Sr Veronica and Jean Paul also helped. Don't know how the others will like it.

And yesterday 4 other fathers returned to Italy for the Christmas holidays. The house is beginning to be very quiet. And now I take care of the baby tortoises as well. Interesting to see them coming out of hibernation to eat each morning when I put them in the sun or turn on the lights. This is probably ruining their winter hibernation - waking up everyday.

Today's antiphon is "O King of the nations"
O King of the nations, and their desire,
the cornerstone making both one:
Come and save the human race,
which you fashioned from clay.

This antiphon is inspired by Isaiah 9:6 and many such prophecies about the kingship of God over the non-Jewish peoples. That is hope for us, he is not just our king but above all, he is the king of our desires.