St Stephan aday

St Stephan's Day - almost immediately after the Christmas cheer we turn our eyes to the first martyr of the Church. The Cross is never far from the crib. Solemn Mass tomorrow will be celebrated in commemoration of St Stephan in the Basilica of Gethsemani which is near where he was stoned to death. The Dominicans whose Basilica holds the tomb of St Stephan will also have solemn Mass there.

It's my usual tradition to read TS Elliot's "Murder in a cathedral" these few days of the Christmas Octave. It's a poetic chronicle of the last days (Dec. 2 - 29) of St Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury (Catholic back in 1170) who was murdered in the cathedral by King HenryII. Fantastic poetry and spirituality. Get a copy and read it!

Yesterday I had another surprise visit - Susanah and her friend. She used to come for Wednesday evening classes and is now transferred to Washington.

Here is an Israeli appraisal of Christmas - a goodwill gesture no doubt but it's not going to stop their kids from spitting at us. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1230111687735&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

And the threat of war is looming ever so close. This is a short summary of the past week's leadup: Hamas in Gaza has continuously been firing rockets into Israel, provoking Israel to fire back in a very controlled manner. Hamas then taunts Israel for not daring to make a full front attack. Egypt puts pressure on Gaza to stop the violence and Israel to hold back. Israel undertakes defense drill in surrounding cities of Gaza. Gaza rockets continue to be fired into Israel. Israel suggests possibility of full attack. Plans a nationwide defense drill. More rhetoric yesterday and today of Israeli military reaction to continuous rocket attack.