Thursday, January 22, 2009
Another view
Finally a journalist with the guts to write about Hamas crimes during the war. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1232292939271&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Repercussions
Just as I feared - hamas is taking revenge on people whom they suspect as collaborators with israel during the war. Doesn't look good.
Was busy cleaning up the room and finishing some important work. Have been feeling so tired these few days - since I got back from hospital. Can't wake up in the mornings and get very tired and sleepy in the afternoons. Don't know if its the medicine. It's draining away all my energy. And the asthma is just as bad. The weather on the other hand has warmed up alot - almost like summer today. Weird.
If you haven't watched the film on Pope John XXIII, then you should. It's good. Starring Ed Asner as the pope (remember him? Mary Tyler Moore show?) Salt and Light TV (Canadian catholic TV) is broadcasting it on Internet every Sunday in 4 segments. He really suffered as a young priest - bullied around by authorities. That's probably why when he became pope, he changed everything.
And the online course on the Book of Apocalyse is ending soon in 4 weeks. That'll be the 1st week of Lent, and a new course on the Passion and Resurrection will be launched. Sign up quick at dsbiblecentre@gmail.com
Was busy cleaning up the room and finishing some important work. Have been feeling so tired these few days - since I got back from hospital. Can't wake up in the mornings and get very tired and sleepy in the afternoons. Don't know if its the medicine. It's draining away all my energy. And the asthma is just as bad. The weather on the other hand has warmed up alot - almost like summer today. Weird.
If you haven't watched the film on Pope John XXIII, then you should. It's good. Starring Ed Asner as the pope (remember him? Mary Tyler Moore show?) Salt and Light TV (Canadian catholic TV) is broadcasting it on Internet every Sunday in 4 segments. He really suffered as a young priest - bullied around by authorities. That's probably why when he became pope, he changed everything.
And the online course on the Book of Apocalyse is ending soon in 4 weeks. That'll be the 1st week of Lent, and a new course on the Passion and Resurrection will be launched. Sign up quick at dsbiblecentre@gmail.com
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Another day
The grey cloudy skies have lifted and the sun is shining brightly today. It's warm - about 15 degrees.
The exams have started and every other day there a couple of exams - all oral - to be taken. Students are nervous, which is normal.
Nothing seems to be moving much, except for some excitement about Obama's swearing in yesterday evening. The Internet connection in the house is very slow so Fr Giovanni Loche came to my room to watch it live on BBC's website.
You would have noticed that the 1st reading for Mass these few weeks is taken from the Letter to the Hebrews. It's more an instruction than a letter, and picks up on Jewish theological concepts that apply to Christ. Pretty interesting. Read up on it!
The exams have started and every other day there a couple of exams - all oral - to be taken. Students are nervous, which is normal.
Nothing seems to be moving much, except for some excitement about Obama's swearing in yesterday evening. The Internet connection in the house is very slow so Fr Giovanni Loche came to my room to watch it live on BBC's website.
You would have noticed that the 1st reading for Mass these few weeks is taken from the Letter to the Hebrews. It's more an instruction than a letter, and picks up on Jewish theological concepts that apply to Christ. Pretty interesting. Read up on it!
Monday, January 19, 2009
What is there to live for?
Very painful pictures of the aftermath in Gaza. "A house destroyed can be rebuild. A road ripped up can be repaved. But a life lost can never be restored." See CNN video "Destruction in Gaza 2:41" in http://edition.cnn.com/video/ and also "Searching for bodies in Gaza", "Destruction in Gaza 2:13", and "chaos in Gaza".
Who is going to help rebuild those houses, bring medicine and food and water now? Who will gather the tattered lives and shredded bodies? I am more and more convinced that I should go to Gaza. Our Christians need us.
Who is going to help rebuild those houses, bring medicine and food and water now? Who will gather the tattered lives and shredded bodies? I am more and more convinced that I should go to Gaza. Our Christians need us.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
A valuable lesson
Ceasefire. But that is no promise that fighting has stopped. Gaza is still firing rockets out to Israel. Now it's time to get as many wounded to the hospitals as soon as possible. Everyone is still watching nervously if this ceasefire will hold.
Yesterday I went to the hospital in Nazareth. I thought Jadallah would take the Highway 6 which in 45 minutes we would have arrived in Nazareth. Instead he took the Jericho road, ie down to Jericho and then follow the Jordan River up north to Nazareth. That's because our car hasn't the autopay card that Highway 6 requires. So it took 2 hours to go there and 2 hours back. It was tiring. The hospital as usual was very prompt (that's why I prefer to go there) - all tests done and results available within one hour. My cholesterol has reached the maximum on the scale. The lab. asst. gave me the results, smiled and said "You ready for a heart attack or stroke?" Anyway I'll give the results to my doc here in Jerusalem tomorrow. He's been saying he should put me on medication for the cholesterol.
While waiting for the lab. results, Jadallah and I drove down to the Basilica of the Annunciation. There have been some renovations in the garden and exit - fabulous! Because I was fasting for 12 hours, I was famished so we went to the best shwarma shop in Nazareth. It's a small shop, very clean, and the owner takes great pride in his food. The shwarma may be put in pitta bread or here, in a baguette freshly baked by the owner - you actually get the baguette straight out of the oven piping hot. You get a choice of 10 sauces that you put on your own. And the lamb meat is cut straight off the rotating spit, fresh, hot and juicy. It was really the best. Abit expensive though - 22 shekels but here it includes a soft-drink of your choice. So all in all, it was worth it.
We learned a powerful lesson while eating shwarma at the store. Two boys walked in to buy shwarma. One was about 14 yrs old and the other probably 10 yrs old. The younger boy was very well-dressed, clean - as if going to school graduation. The older boy was wearing thin, torn pullovers to keep warm. They were very soft-spoken and the shop owner while preparing the shwarma, began talking to them. "Are you brothers?" The older boy said "Yes. He's my younger brother". The older boy strokes the younger boy's hair and pinches his cheeks. The younger boy smiles and hugs his brother. The older boy then gets the huge baguette off the high counter, draws a chair for the younger boy to sit, gives the baguette to the younger brother, gets a soft-drink from the fridge for him. When the boy is settled, then the older boy goes to get his own baguette and drink and sits next to his brother. But he doesn't eat yet. He helps the younger boy pull up the long sleeves, lifts the long baguette up on the table and opens the can drink for the younger boy. Only when the little brother begins eating, then the older brother begins to eat his own. It was very touching. The shop keeper closed his eyes and nodded.
Jadallah and I could say nothing. When we left the shop, I asked Jadallah if he saw that. He said it was very touching - that is how brothers should behave; the older should care for the younger. And I said that's exactly what Israelis and Palestinians should be doing - both races come from the two brothers Jacob and Esau - instead of killing each other. I wish I had filmed the whole thing and put it up on the Internet. It would have taught us all a valuable lesson.
Yesterday I went to the hospital in Nazareth. I thought Jadallah would take the Highway 6 which in 45 minutes we would have arrived in Nazareth. Instead he took the Jericho road, ie down to Jericho and then follow the Jordan River up north to Nazareth. That's because our car hasn't the autopay card that Highway 6 requires. So it took 2 hours to go there and 2 hours back. It was tiring. The hospital as usual was very prompt (that's why I prefer to go there) - all tests done and results available within one hour. My cholesterol has reached the maximum on the scale. The lab. asst. gave me the results, smiled and said "You ready for a heart attack or stroke?" Anyway I'll give the results to my doc here in Jerusalem tomorrow. He's been saying he should put me on medication for the cholesterol.
While waiting for the lab. results, Jadallah and I drove down to the Basilica of the Annunciation. There have been some renovations in the garden and exit - fabulous! Because I was fasting for 12 hours, I was famished so we went to the best shwarma shop in Nazareth. It's a small shop, very clean, and the owner takes great pride in his food. The shwarma may be put in pitta bread or here, in a baguette freshly baked by the owner - you actually get the baguette straight out of the oven piping hot. You get a choice of 10 sauces that you put on your own. And the lamb meat is cut straight off the rotating spit, fresh, hot and juicy. It was really the best. Abit expensive though - 22 shekels but here it includes a soft-drink of your choice. So all in all, it was worth it.
We learned a powerful lesson while eating shwarma at the store. Two boys walked in to buy shwarma. One was about 14 yrs old and the other probably 10 yrs old. The younger boy was very well-dressed, clean - as if going to school graduation. The older boy was wearing thin, torn pullovers to keep warm. They were very soft-spoken and the shop owner while preparing the shwarma, began talking to them. "Are you brothers?" The older boy said "Yes. He's my younger brother". The older boy strokes the younger boy's hair and pinches his cheeks. The younger boy smiles and hugs his brother. The older boy then gets the huge baguette off the high counter, draws a chair for the younger boy to sit, gives the baguette to the younger brother, gets a soft-drink from the fridge for him. When the boy is settled, then the older boy goes to get his own baguette and drink and sits next to his brother. But he doesn't eat yet. He helps the younger boy pull up the long sleeves, lifts the long baguette up on the table and opens the can drink for the younger boy. Only when the little brother begins eating, then the older brother begins to eat his own. It was very touching. The shop keeper closed his eyes and nodded.
Jadallah and I could say nothing. When we left the shop, I asked Jadallah if he saw that. He said it was very touching - that is how brothers should behave; the older should care for the younger. And I said that's exactly what Israelis and Palestinians should be doing - both races come from the two brothers Jacob and Esau - instead of killing each other. I wish I had filmed the whole thing and put it up on the Internet. It would have taught us all a valuable lesson.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
end in sight?
Cold, hazy day today. In the crisp air, the ringing of the bells from our churches throughout the Old City become crystal clear. It is a beautiful sound. They are many thoughts going through my head as I hear the bells - but I can't tell you now. There might be repercussions on my safety or on christians as a whole here.
I'm off to hospital again. This time the superior has allowed Jadallah to drive me there - a good one and a half hour drive to Nazareth with no traffic, today being the Sabbath. Got to get some tests done. Hope to get back to Jerusalem by afternoon.
News from all over are predicting the end of the war.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/16/israel.gaza/index.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7834255.stm
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Gaza-War-Truce-Deal-Is-Close-Says-Israeli-Prime-Minister-Ehud-Olmert/Article/200901315205313?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15205313_Gaza_War%3A_Truce_Deal_Is_Close%2C_Says_Israeli_Prime_Minister_Ehud_Olmert
BBC's Christian Fraser has entered Gaza through Rafah (near Egypt). Watch the video.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7834419.stm
I'm off to hospital again. This time the superior has allowed Jadallah to drive me there - a good one and a half hour drive to Nazareth with no traffic, today being the Sabbath. Got to get some tests done. Hope to get back to Jerusalem by afternoon.
News from all over are predicting the end of the war.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/16/israel.gaza/index.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7834255.stm
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Gaza-War-Truce-Deal-Is-Close-Says-Israeli-Prime-Minister-Ehud-Olmert/Article/200901315205313?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15205313_Gaza_War%3A_Truce_Deal_Is_Close%2C_Says_Israeli_Prime_Minister_Ehud_Olmert
BBC's Christian Fraser has entered Gaza through Rafah (near Egypt). Watch the video.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7834419.stm
Da pacem Domine
Yesterday i went for the Way of the Cross. The roads are unusually quiet - hardly anyone outside. Not a single group is seen. The muslim school refused to open the doors for us: it's where we start the 1st Station, so we decided to start the devotion at its front door. There were about 50 friars, 20 sisters and very few (less then 20) lay people - all local arab christians and maybe 5 foreigners.
The Way of the Cross continued up to the Holy Sepulchre Basilica for the last 6 Stations. The Basilica was deadly quiet. No groups. Silence. It was eerie. I thought of staying back to join the procession (daily procession of the altars inside the Basilica) and then maybe celebrate a Mass, but considering that it's Friday and the sky darkens by 5pm, I thought it safer to go home immediately. Most shops are closed throughout the streets.
I guess the Way of the Cross became more poignant for all of us who participated. It was the painful last leg of Jesus' journey up to Calvary to die and be buried. And I'm sure not a single one of us did not think of the suffering in Gaza and the surrounding Jewish areas affected by this war - the many families who are displaced, the injured and dead. It was a very sombre walk to the Tomb of Christ. But also the promise of the resurrection.
As the last Station was prayed in front of the Empty Tomb, our Vicar Custos asked for prayers for peace and we all sang the prayer "Da pacem Domine" (Give us peace, O Lord) It's a beautiful sad hymn. Below is from the website of Jeffrey Tucker who explains the hymn:
To me the early Christian attitude toward war is summed up in a first-millennium chant "Da pacem Domine" that directly addressed the question of war and peace. Like most of the Gregorian repertoire, it wasn't necessarily written at any particular time. It was carried forward through time, long before there was printing or even musical notation, purely as a matter of repetition and tradition. That is to say, these songs developed organically, much like folk songs, except that they were used in the liturgical life of the Church.
But we can say with confidence that it was probably sung in the early middle ages, and it was popular enough to be carried forward even unto the modern age. It has a particular poignancy in our time. It addresses the powerlessness and helplessness we all feel during war, particularly wars that we have not caused and do not want to fight but are nonetheless costly to us in terms of money and cultural wreckage. Sometimes we lose family members.
The subtext of the chant implies an awareness that Hell itself is unleashed in times of war, and there is only one way to fight Hell and that is through divine intervention. We must turn to God in our quest for peace, since no one else is powerful enough to stop war. Nor were the Christians under the illusion that governments can bring peace or that governments are truly fighting for us. Not governments, not soldiers, not politicians – only God serves the interest of peace and is powerful enough to put an end to the madness.
Here are the words:
Da pacem, Domine, in diebus nostris
Quia non est alius
Qui pugnet pro nobis
Nisi tu Deus noster.
The translation:
Give peace, O Lord, in our time
Because there is no one else.
Who will fight for us
If not You, our God?
The beautiful thing here is that the melody itself, written in the minor mode II, illustrates the sad sense that events are out of control. So we pray and beg for assistance.
Try saying this prayer.
The Way of the Cross continued up to the Holy Sepulchre Basilica for the last 6 Stations. The Basilica was deadly quiet. No groups. Silence. It was eerie. I thought of staying back to join the procession (daily procession of the altars inside the Basilica) and then maybe celebrate a Mass, but considering that it's Friday and the sky darkens by 5pm, I thought it safer to go home immediately. Most shops are closed throughout the streets.
I guess the Way of the Cross became more poignant for all of us who participated. It was the painful last leg of Jesus' journey up to Calvary to die and be buried. And I'm sure not a single one of us did not think of the suffering in Gaza and the surrounding Jewish areas affected by this war - the many families who are displaced, the injured and dead. It was a very sombre walk to the Tomb of Christ. But also the promise of the resurrection.
As the last Station was prayed in front of the Empty Tomb, our Vicar Custos asked for prayers for peace and we all sang the prayer "Da pacem Domine" (Give us peace, O Lord) It's a beautiful sad hymn. Below is from the website of Jeffrey Tucker who explains the hymn:
To me the early Christian attitude toward war is summed up in a first-millennium chant "Da pacem Domine" that directly addressed the question of war and peace. Like most of the Gregorian repertoire, it wasn't necessarily written at any particular time. It was carried forward through time, long before there was printing or even musical notation, purely as a matter of repetition and tradition. That is to say, these songs developed organically, much like folk songs, except that they were used in the liturgical life of the Church.
But we can say with confidence that it was probably sung in the early middle ages, and it was popular enough to be carried forward even unto the modern age. It has a particular poignancy in our time. It addresses the powerlessness and helplessness we all feel during war, particularly wars that we have not caused and do not want to fight but are nonetheless costly to us in terms of money and cultural wreckage. Sometimes we lose family members.
The subtext of the chant implies an awareness that Hell itself is unleashed in times of war, and there is only one way to fight Hell and that is through divine intervention. We must turn to God in our quest for peace, since no one else is powerful enough to stop war. Nor were the Christians under the illusion that governments can bring peace or that governments are truly fighting for us. Not governments, not soldiers, not politicians – only God serves the interest of peace and is powerful enough to put an end to the madness.
Here are the words:
Da pacem, Domine, in diebus nostris
Quia non est alius
Qui pugnet pro nobis
Nisi tu Deus noster.
The translation:
Give peace, O Lord, in our time
Because there is no one else.
Who will fight for us
If not You, our God?
The beautiful thing here is that the melody itself, written in the minor mode II, illustrates the sad sense that events are out of control. So we pray and beg for assistance.
Try saying this prayer.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Pray for peace
3 hospitals hit. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7833919.stm Now the shortage of medicine is even more critical. I was told that several Catholics were killed but we do not have the exact numbers.
A CNN reporter has finally managed to enter Gaza - from Egypt. Read his report. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/16/wedeman.gaza/index.html
Another CNN report http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/16/israel.gaza/index.html
I dare not think of the hatred the young survivors of Gaza will have when they grow up. Pray for peace. Pray. There is nothing else we can do.
A CNN reporter has finally managed to enter Gaza - from Egypt. Read his report. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/16/wedeman.gaza/index.html
Another CNN report http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/16/israel.gaza/index.html
I dare not think of the hatred the young survivors of Gaza will have when they grow up. Pray for peace. Pray. There is nothing else we can do.
Friday
Today is Friday. It's alot less tense than the last 2 Fridays. The streets in the Old City are deserted, and the soldiers are much less than usual. But it doesn't hide what lies in the heart. Let's see what happens at noon prayers at the mosque today.
Today is also Fr Marcello's feastday. He's our professor of St. Paul. We celebrate our franciscan martyrs Sts Berard, Peter, Adiutus, Accursius, Otto and Vitalis today who were killed in Morocco in 1220. When their bodies were brought back to Portugal, their martyrdom moved a young Augustinian canon so much, he changed Orders and entered the Franciscans - he was St Anthony of Padua (Lisbon, if you are portuguese).
Now back to the sad situation in Gaza. Watch this and listen to some facts that are little known (Texas Rep. Ron Paul): http://www.videonewslive.com/view/294057/israel_created_hamas Teleban, Al-Qaeda all are American creations ... you draw your own conclusions.
You can hear the weariness of BBC correspondent Jeremy Bowen's voice in his article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7831757.stm
And two doctors' account of the situation inside: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7830302.stm
Gazans message out their reactions: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7830482.stm
And frankly, Germany, stop making your younger generation and the rest of the world guilty for your own sins. It will backfire among the younger generation - haven't you learnt that? It will only cause what you seek to avoid. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231950868144&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull How about the slaughter of 20 million chinese (stats from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties check out the other countries in Asia)? For those of you who haven't yet heard of the Nanking Massacre, check out the following but be warned - graphic images / see only if you're psychologically prepared (there are other more graphic sites!) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanking_Massacre In a recent conversation, a friend said that Asians are very practical people and are more likely to leave the past and move ahead with life after a crisis. With regards to the japanese occupaiton of Asia, he said that other asian countries trust Japan not to do it again, and so do not harp on the subject again and again. It basically boils down to trust. I don't know enough to deny or affirm that. That's his opinion.
Today is also Fr Marcello's feastday. He's our professor of St. Paul. We celebrate our franciscan martyrs Sts Berard, Peter, Adiutus, Accursius, Otto and Vitalis today who were killed in Morocco in 1220. When their bodies were brought back to Portugal, their martyrdom moved a young Augustinian canon so much, he changed Orders and entered the Franciscans - he was St Anthony of Padua (Lisbon, if you are portuguese).
Now back to the sad situation in Gaza. Watch this and listen to some facts that are little known (Texas Rep. Ron Paul): http://www.videonewslive.com/view/294057/israel_created_hamas Teleban, Al-Qaeda all are American creations ... you draw your own conclusions.
You can hear the weariness of BBC correspondent Jeremy Bowen's voice in his article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7831757.stm
And two doctors' account of the situation inside: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7830302.stm
Gazans message out their reactions: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7830482.stm
And frankly, Germany, stop making your younger generation and the rest of the world guilty for your own sins. It will backfire among the younger generation - haven't you learnt that? It will only cause what you seek to avoid. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231950868144&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull How about the slaughter of 20 million chinese (stats from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties check out the other countries in Asia)? For those of you who haven't yet heard of the Nanking Massacre, check out the following but be warned - graphic images / see only if you're psychologically prepared (there are other more graphic sites!) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanking_Massacre In a recent conversation, a friend said that Asians are very practical people and are more likely to leave the past and move ahead with life after a crisis. With regards to the japanese occupaiton of Asia, he said that other asian countries trust Japan not to do it again, and so do not harp on the subject again and again. It basically boils down to trust. I don't know enough to deny or affirm that. That's his opinion.
Thanks
Thanks to the following for their generosity and help to the Holyland:
Edmund Ng, Sam & Nina Ip, Winifred Ng, Ma Kim Yee, Biddy Kwok, Josephine Lee, Amy Kok
The destruction of food and medicine in the UN store house has worsen the situation in Gaza. Now more then ever, the people inside need medicine from other sources.
Edmund Ng, Sam & Nina Ip, Winifred Ng, Ma Kim Yee, Biddy Kwok, Josephine Lee, Amy Kok
The destruction of food and medicine in the UN store house has worsen the situation in Gaza. Now more then ever, the people inside need medicine from other sources.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
what else?
Fighting has become more aggressive in Gaza - UN storage building (food and medicine destroyed?) and hospital bombed. Thousands fleeing into streets. Reuters and BBC bombed out?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7829912.stm
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231950855726&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/15/gaza.aid.plea/index.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7829912.stm
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231950855726&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/15/gaza.aid.plea/index.html
Sad
Calls for a truce to bring aid and food falls on deaf ears in Gaza. Over 1,000 dead and 5,000 wounded. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/15/gaza.aid.plea/index.html
From Fr Vincenzo (Musky)
Fr Vincenzo is having problems going online because the line is an old, dial-up system and is occupied mainly by the students. He can only use it late in the night, if at all possible. Anyway he has this to say: (words in red are mine)
The information regarding the bank account is correct (some of you wrote to say it's incorrect and cannot transfer donations to Musky). In any case, we have managed to salvage US$3,000 which is a huge sum here, to make the most essential repairs on the collapsed house so that there will be no danger of a future collapse (near future anyway). We will see what we can do later. Another family that lives under a staircase, we intend to give US$500 to build 4 walls around a balcony so it can become a room with more privacy - provided permission is gotten.
So guys, I know the economic crunch is bad but I also know your hearts are bigger than that. Spare a thought for the poor and help Fr Vincenzo. Thanks.
Meanwhile I'm getting basic medicine for Gaza, thanks to your kind help.
The information regarding the bank account is correct (some of you wrote to say it's incorrect and cannot transfer donations to Musky). In any case, we have managed to salvage US$3,000 which is a huge sum here, to make the most essential repairs on the collapsed house so that there will be no danger of a future collapse (near future anyway). We will see what we can do later. Another family that lives under a staircase, we intend to give US$500 to build 4 walls around a balcony so it can become a room with more privacy - provided permission is gotten.
So guys, I know the economic crunch is bad but I also know your hearts are bigger than that. Spare a thought for the poor and help Fr Vincenzo. Thanks.
Meanwhile I'm getting basic medicine for Gaza, thanks to your kind help.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Sirens
ok so the sirens in Jerusalem did go off - it's confirmed. But NOT because of a rocket ... there was a malfunction in the warning system! http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231917083226&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
So no need for panic. Jerusalem is too far from Gaza.
So no need for panic. Jerusalem is too far from Gaza.
Pray for peace
3 Katushya rockets hit the northern Israeli border with Lebanon. Once again we don't think it's the Lebanese army as the shots were pretty poor, one actually fell within Lebanon itself. Now there's rumours that sirens in Jerusalem went off this morning and a rocket hit somewhere here.... nothing substantiated. I think all these rumours are just meant to whip up emotions and reactions.
Not all Israelis agree with this Gaza seige by the way. http://www.echoroukonline.com/eng/world/4456.html
After having seen news clips on the internet on the worldwide reaction, I was slowly beginning to be horrified by the emotions that generated and were generated by these demonstrations. Horrified - because sometimes the whole thing is reduced to a racial or religious thing, which is too simplistic. Some people have lost focussed on the real issue - which is to be able to live securely, without fear of being killed each time you walk outside or go to sleep. I live in Israel, and I certainly don't want to bombed by a rocket from either Hamas or the Israeli military. We just want to get on with daily life, as normal as it can be here in these parts. It's not a pro-Palestine or pro-Israel issue, it's a pro-peace issue. Now how you get about reaching this peace is another thing. The motive and the means are two issues here. I'm sure everyone agrees with the motive for peace; it's the means of reaching this peace that's getting people worked up. But unfortunately some people have mixed up the means for the motive; and when this misundertanding is brought into demonstrations/protests, it can get ugly. Well so much for my two cents worth of opinion.
We continue to pray daily for peace here. And I'm sure you do too.
Not all Israelis agree with this Gaza seige by the way. http://www.echoroukonline.com/eng/world/4456.html
After having seen news clips on the internet on the worldwide reaction, I was slowly beginning to be horrified by the emotions that generated and were generated by these demonstrations. Horrified - because sometimes the whole thing is reduced to a racial or religious thing, which is too simplistic. Some people have lost focussed on the real issue - which is to be able to live securely, without fear of being killed each time you walk outside or go to sleep. I live in Israel, and I certainly don't want to bombed by a rocket from either Hamas or the Israeli military. We just want to get on with daily life, as normal as it can be here in these parts. It's not a pro-Palestine or pro-Israel issue, it's a pro-peace issue. Now how you get about reaching this peace is another thing. The motive and the means are two issues here. I'm sure everyone agrees with the motive for peace; it's the means of reaching this peace that's getting people worked up. But unfortunately some people have mixed up the means for the motive; and when this misundertanding is brought into demonstrations/protests, it can get ugly. Well so much for my two cents worth of opinion.
We continue to pray daily for peace here. And I'm sure you do too.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Today
Yesterday I went to the Missionaries of Charity as usual to sing for my supper. They cook very good fish and yesterday there was a nice bun to go with it as well. I really appreciate it because I've been losing my appetite for the past few days - practically eating only one meal.
2 of their sisters came out of Gaza because their visa ran out. They spoke of the horror inside Gaza - the lack of food and water, heating and gas; sick and dead, and bombs everywhere. But they're still willing to go back and be with the people, sacrificing their lives if necessary. They are the true heroes.
Today I went to Terra Santa College as usual. My asthma is quite bad and didn't think I'd be able to walk to 2km uphill. Luckily I managed to get a ride there. Last week I took the taxi and the driver wanted 35 shekels. It only cost 15 shekels. It was good to be there because I finally met Thiago again. He looked good, but was thin. We had lots to catch up, and laughed alot. We even managed to skype his fiancee Edilaine (finally I know how to spell the name). Anyway Fr Arlon insisted I go to hospital for my checkup and was arranging several possible means of transport - getting to Nazareth 200km away is always a bother.
Soldiers are still everywhere in the streets; the tension is alittle higher has the death toll in Gaza reaches beyond 900. It is bad.
2 of their sisters came out of Gaza because their visa ran out. They spoke of the horror inside Gaza - the lack of food and water, heating and gas; sick and dead, and bombs everywhere. But they're still willing to go back and be with the people, sacrificing their lives if necessary. They are the true heroes.
Today I went to Terra Santa College as usual. My asthma is quite bad and didn't think I'd be able to walk to 2km uphill. Luckily I managed to get a ride there. Last week I took the taxi and the driver wanted 35 shekels. It only cost 15 shekels. It was good to be there because I finally met Thiago again. He looked good, but was thin. We had lots to catch up, and laughed alot. We even managed to skype his fiancee Edilaine (finally I know how to spell the name). Anyway Fr Arlon insisted I go to hospital for my checkup and was arranging several possible means of transport - getting to Nazareth 200km away is always a bother.
Soldiers are still everywhere in the streets; the tension is alittle higher has the death toll in Gaza reaches beyond 900. It is bad.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Gaza faces medical crisis
Shortage of medicine
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7823410.stm
Another boat with medicine and doctors are going to try and enter Gaza. See CNN boat aid for Gaza: http://edition.cnn.com/video/
Meanwhile Jews in England are divided over the Gaza affair. See CNN "Pro-Israel rally draws crowd": http://edition.cnn.com/video/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7823410.stm
Another boat with medicine and doctors are going to try and enter Gaza. See CNN boat aid for Gaza: http://edition.cnn.com/video/
Meanwhile Jews in England are divided over the Gaza affair. See CNN "Pro-Israel rally draws crowd": http://edition.cnn.com/video/
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Baptism of Our Lord
Sunday began as a cold but sunny morning. Too cold to walk up to the Holy Sepulchre at 4am, so I decided to concelebrate Mass at our own chapel at 6.30am with a surprising large group of friars who usually celebrate the Sunday Mass at 8am.
After 2 weeks of confinement in the house - fear of violence in the streets - I decided to go out to the New City to catch some fresh air. The psychological pressure is terrible and my asthma is still affecting me badly. Damascus Gate was calm - with fewer hawkers vending their goods. One old Bedouin woman was shouting at the Israeli soldiers "Woe to us! Woe to us! See what you Jews are doing to us?" People walk pass, not daring to look back. She is brave, I must say. No one else has the guts to do that - not even the usual gang of Arab youths who still hang around the 3rd Station. The soldiers stare blankly back at her. They say nothing.
I walked up to New Gate from outside the Old City, then turn right to Jaffa Street and on to the junciton of the Post Office and the Chinese restaurent. Took the short cut away from the main street to the back carpark near the park and muslim cemetary (another hot spot as the govt. confiscated part of the cemetary and is building a museum there) and up the hill to the pet shop where I bought food for the canaries. Stayed for a while to see the finches and parakeets; the rabbits and hamsters, and lots of fish. I miss Rex very much. Everyone at my monastery knows that and they often ask about Rex.
Decided to take another way home, down Ben Yehuda Pedastrian Mall that's full of cafes and shops - very touristy but a nice divergent. Saw Matthew our Indian student at the money changers there so went over to speak with him. Then he went up to the computer store and I walked down Jaffa Street. Went back to the Old City through New gate, but decided to take the narrow alleys - just to do something different. Got lost in there. But kept walking anyway - it's nice to get lost sometimes and discover new things along the way. The I found myself in front of the Spanish sisters convent - so I found my way again. Walked down the left alley passing by the convent of Mother Teresa's sisters and reached the tailor. I left 2 pants for altering and picked it up.The tailor wanted 40 shekels (HK$80). I think everyone around that area (junction of the convent and Damascus Gate) was trying to find out who is this chinese who speaks arabic - from the tailor to the fruit seller to the bread seller to the Shwarma seller. Somehow word has gone out that I'm a priest and they all call me "Father" now. So long as they're not anti-christian, I'm ok with that.
In fact last week when I went to order a made-to-measure table for our superior at a Jewish shop, the owner called me "Father". He's Jewish and he has no problems with that. In fact we spoke arabic (as he doesn't speak english and I don't speak hebrew) to get the transaction done. And my scribe friend Eli who's staunchly Jewish also has no problems calling me "Father" even though I told him he doesn't have to. You see, Jews who have lived in the Holyland all these centuries, whose ancestors lived under the Ottomans and Jordan, are very friendly to Muslims and Christians. They have no problems with us. It's the young idealistic immigrant ones who have no tolerance and spit at us.
Got home and the skies began to darken. We had quite a shower and the temperature dropped again.
From the Israeli newspaper we have reports of pro-Israel rallies in London http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231424919890&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull and here's its analysis of the situation http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231424911751&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
But BBC has a different report: British Jews calling for ceasefire http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7822656.stm and photos http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7822573.stm
But the overall message is: the war is ending soon.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Gaza-War-Hamas-Defiant-As-Israel-Indicates-The-End-Of-War-Is-In-Sight/Article/200901215200990?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_15200990_Gaza_War%3A_Hamas_Defiant_As_Israel_Indicates_The_End_Of_War_Is_In_Sight
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/11/israel.gaza/index.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7822786.stm
After 2 weeks of confinement in the house - fear of violence in the streets - I decided to go out to the New City to catch some fresh air. The psychological pressure is terrible and my asthma is still affecting me badly. Damascus Gate was calm - with fewer hawkers vending their goods. One old Bedouin woman was shouting at the Israeli soldiers "Woe to us! Woe to us! See what you Jews are doing to us?" People walk pass, not daring to look back. She is brave, I must say. No one else has the guts to do that - not even the usual gang of Arab youths who still hang around the 3rd Station. The soldiers stare blankly back at her. They say nothing.
I walked up to New Gate from outside the Old City, then turn right to Jaffa Street and on to the junciton of the Post Office and the Chinese restaurent. Took the short cut away from the main street to the back carpark near the park and muslim cemetary (another hot spot as the govt. confiscated part of the cemetary and is building a museum there) and up the hill to the pet shop where I bought food for the canaries. Stayed for a while to see the finches and parakeets; the rabbits and hamsters, and lots of fish. I miss Rex very much. Everyone at my monastery knows that and they often ask about Rex.
Decided to take another way home, down Ben Yehuda Pedastrian Mall that's full of cafes and shops - very touristy but a nice divergent. Saw Matthew our Indian student at the money changers there so went over to speak with him. Then he went up to the computer store and I walked down Jaffa Street. Went back to the Old City through New gate, but decided to take the narrow alleys - just to do something different. Got lost in there. But kept walking anyway - it's nice to get lost sometimes and discover new things along the way. The I found myself in front of the Spanish sisters convent - so I found my way again. Walked down the left alley passing by the convent of Mother Teresa's sisters and reached the tailor. I left 2 pants for altering and picked it up.The tailor wanted 40 shekels (HK$80). I think everyone around that area (junction of the convent and Damascus Gate) was trying to find out who is this chinese who speaks arabic - from the tailor to the fruit seller to the bread seller to the Shwarma seller. Somehow word has gone out that I'm a priest and they all call me "Father" now. So long as they're not anti-christian, I'm ok with that.
In fact last week when I went to order a made-to-measure table for our superior at a Jewish shop, the owner called me "Father". He's Jewish and he has no problems with that. In fact we spoke arabic (as he doesn't speak english and I don't speak hebrew) to get the transaction done. And my scribe friend Eli who's staunchly Jewish also has no problems calling me "Father" even though I told him he doesn't have to. You see, Jews who have lived in the Holyland all these centuries, whose ancestors lived under the Ottomans and Jordan, are very friendly to Muslims and Christians. They have no problems with us. It's the young idealistic immigrant ones who have no tolerance and spit at us.
Got home and the skies began to darken. We had quite a shower and the temperature dropped again.
From the Israeli newspaper we have reports of pro-Israel rallies in London http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231424919890&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull and here's its analysis of the situation http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231424911751&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
But BBC has a different report: British Jews calling for ceasefire http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7822656.stm and photos http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7822573.stm
But the overall message is: the war is ending soon.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Gaza-War-Hamas-Defiant-As-Israel-Indicates-The-End-Of-War-Is-In-Sight/Article/200901215200990?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_15200990_Gaza_War%3A_Hamas_Defiant_As_Israel_Indicates_The_End_Of_War_Is_In_Sight
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/11/israel.gaza/index.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7822786.stm
and .....
re: my previous blog "all seem to point to something wider and deeper than what we are told or know." - now it's getting revealed. see http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/2009/01/10/nyt-bush-protested-israeli-planned-strike-iran/
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Agony
Have mercy on the children in Gaza!!!!
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/Gaza-Conflict-With-Israel-Continues-Despite-United-Nations-Resolution-Calling-For-Ceasefire/Video/200901215200321?lpos=video_Carousel_Region_2&lid=VIDEO_15200321_Gaza%3A_Conflict_With_Israel_Continues_Despite_United_Nations_Resolution_Calling_For_Ceasefire
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/Gaza-Conflict-With-Israel-Continues-Despite-United-Nations-Resolution-Calling-For-Ceasefire/Video/200901215200321?lpos=video_Carousel_Region_2&lid=VIDEO_15200321_Gaza%3A_Conflict_With_Israel_Continues_Despite_United_Nations_Resolution_Calling_For_Ceasefire
What if they were YOUR children?????
Yes some do actually agonise over this. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7819819.stm
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/Gaza-Conflict-With-Israel-Continues-Despite-United-Nations-Resolution-Calling-For-Ceasefire/Video/200901215200321?lpos=video_Carousel_Region_2&lid=VIDEO_15200321_Gaza%3A_Conflict_With_Israel_Continues_Despite_United_Nations_Resolution_Calling_For_Ceasefire
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/Gaza-Conflict-With-Israel-Continues-Despite-United-Nations-Resolution-Calling-For-Ceasefire/Video/200901215200321?lpos=video_Carousel_Region_2&lid=VIDEO_15200321_Gaza%3A_Conflict_With_Israel_Continues_Despite_United_Nations_Resolution_Calling_For_Ceasefire
What if they were YOUR children?????
Yes some do actually agonise over this. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7819819.stm
Saturday
Re: my observation in the last entry "Each day that Israel spends inside Gaza without recovering Schalit is one step closer to political and moral disaster." While no one wants to mention Schalit in the equation, the growing feeling is to caution Israel to pull out while it still has the upper hand:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7821512.stm
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231424896038&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Meanwhile this is an aweful revelation - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7819492.stm and http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7819261.stm but it needs independent verification.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7821512.stm
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231424896038&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Meanwhile this is an aweful revelation - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7819492.stm and http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7819261.stm but it needs independent verification.
Still with Hope
So Israel and Hamas won't accept the UN call for ceasefire. The BBC has a good writeup on the analysis of why both sides still want to continue fighting: see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7820680.stm but I think one very important element is missing - Israel recovering kidnapped soldier G. Schalit from Gaza. I believe Israel will stop once they find Schalit and bring him home. Hamas on the other will claim victory if the seige continues and Israel still fails to recover Schalit, after launching this extensive and massive operation that results in nothing. Each day that Israel spends inside Gaza without recovering Schalit is one step closer to political and moral disaster.
People living beyond Gaza here in the Holyland, see the horror of the war on TV, and feel the pain, but have reached the point where they just numb it out and go on with daily routine in a zombie existence; clawing at any semblance of normal life; "like a pygmy walking in his sleep, looking for his own awakening" as Gibran said.
But that doesn't end our hope for peace. Things in the Middle East take strange twists that defy any confident attempt to predict or forecast. The war will end, we are sure, and it is not far off.
And the war has spread into cyber space, with many peoples who have never even been to this land taking sides: see http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,478626,00.html
There are no winners in a war; taking sides and pointing fingers will not resurrect the innocent dead. Why don't we all turn to Christ instead; the Prince of Peace who will right all wrongs?
People living beyond Gaza here in the Holyland, see the horror of the war on TV, and feel the pain, but have reached the point where they just numb it out and go on with daily routine in a zombie existence; clawing at any semblance of normal life; "like a pygmy walking in his sleep, looking for his own awakening" as Gibran said.
But that doesn't end our hope for peace. Things in the Middle East take strange twists that defy any confident attempt to predict or forecast. The war will end, we are sure, and it is not far off.
And the war has spread into cyber space, with many peoples who have never even been to this land taking sides: see http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,478626,00.html
There are no winners in a war; taking sides and pointing fingers will not resurrect the innocent dead. Why don't we all turn to Christ instead; the Prince of Peace who will right all wrongs?
Friday, January 9, 2009
Sign of Hope
After a few hours of study this morning, I decided to get some fresh air and went down to the front courtyard (remember the mummy?) to plant two pots of pansies. It was a nice surprise to find a group of some 20 young men from Korea making the Way of the Cross. I think they belong to some youth group that came here to make a pilgrimage, and by the looks they ranged from 15 - 25 yrs. Very encouraging sign that the Gaza situation is not bothering them; that they feel safe to make this trip. Hope more people feel this way and come to show the locals our faith in the Prince of Peace by walking in His footsteps.
One step closer
The UN Security Council has voted for a cease-fire which surprise - the US did not veto! For once the US did not block a resolution that involves Israel. Everyone is sighing with relief ... at least we're moving one step ahead. Now it's up to Israel and Hamas to accept it. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/08/gaza.security.council/index.html
The relative silence of the Arab states, Lebanon's refusal to be drawn into the conflict, Egypt's tacit alliance, the US's refusal to veto .... all seem to point to something wider and deeper than what we are told or know. But for us living here, that doesn't matter: all we want is peace; no more bombings and killings. Just let us live normal lives.
Today is Friday but it is not as tense as last Friday. People are going about their own business, soldiers are everywhere on alert but the presence is less obvious. Let's hope things will turn out for the better.
The relative silence of the Arab states, Lebanon's refusal to be drawn into the conflict, Egypt's tacit alliance, the US's refusal to veto .... all seem to point to something wider and deeper than what we are told or know. But for us living here, that doesn't matter: all we want is peace; no more bombings and killings. Just let us live normal lives.
Today is Friday but it is not as tense as last Friday. People are going about their own business, soldiers are everywhere on alert but the presence is less obvious. Let's hope things will turn out for the better.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
ha ha ha
Have a good laugh - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7809160.stm
Had to add these ones too .... hahahahahahahahahahahaha ..... and he actually leads the world's most powerful nation??????????
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7815834.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7815837.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7360529.stm
Had to add these ones too .... hahahahahahahahahahahaha ..... and he actually leads the world's most powerful nation??????????
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7815834.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7815837.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7360529.stm
No fear
The rockets from Lebanon momentarily caused an alarm on the northern front but the Lebanese Government immediately issued a reassurance that it was not launched by them and that it was committed to a truce with Israel, even going as far as condemning the rocket fire. That's good news because it means its only a once off thing by disgruntled Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, and not a war with Lebanon. See http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/08/israel.rockets/index.html and http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7817408.stm
As most people see it here, the end of the Gaza war should be soon.
As most people see it here, the end of the Gaza war should be soon.
Orthodox Christmas
It drizzled all yesterday evening and night, so the temperature has dropped. However with this great community that I live with, its always warm. We joke around, chat and help each other in studies. It's a good atmosphere.
My asthma is not letting up, while the fatigue is slowly wearing off. Still I need to rest more than usual. I've resorted to good old fashion techniques to stay warm in the night - the hot water bottle! Tucked under my blanket, I get to stay warm throughout the night and into the morning. However for the past 2 weeks the light in my toilet is playing up and I've been burning a candle in there each morning so get a little light in order to wash my face or shave or bathe. Like the story about my bed, it's always tomorrow they'll come to repair, and tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow never ever comes. I'm buying lots of candles because I think I'll have to use them for the rest of the year. So much for hope.
Just when we all think the war is ending in Gaza, some guys in Lebanon fired some rockets into northern Israel. The Lebanese say it's some unknown group and don't know if its a one off thing. We'll see for the next 24 hours what'll develope before we can be sure.
Yesterday the Orthodox Church celebrated Christmas while we celebrated Epiphany. However the usual pomp and festivities of the processions were absent because of the "war" - if you can read between the lines. http://www.custodia.org/spip.php?article4673&lang=en
My asthma is not letting up, while the fatigue is slowly wearing off. Still I need to rest more than usual. I've resorted to good old fashion techniques to stay warm in the night - the hot water bottle! Tucked under my blanket, I get to stay warm throughout the night and into the morning. However for the past 2 weeks the light in my toilet is playing up and I've been burning a candle in there each morning so get a little light in order to wash my face or shave or bathe. Like the story about my bed, it's always tomorrow they'll come to repair, and tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow never ever comes. I'm buying lots of candles because I think I'll have to use them for the rest of the year. So much for hope.
Just when we all think the war is ending in Gaza, some guys in Lebanon fired some rockets into northern Israel. The Lebanese say it's some unknown group and don't know if its a one off thing. We'll see for the next 24 hours what'll develope before we can be sure.
Yesterday the Orthodox Church celebrated Christmas while we celebrated Epiphany. However the usual pomp and festivities of the processions were absent because of the "war" - if you can read between the lines. http://www.custodia.org/spip.php?article4673&lang=en
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
End in sight?
Just as I had suspected - the unexpected absence of widespread violence and protests seem to show that most Palestinians just want to get on with daily life. The economic crisis is hitting hard and I guess people are just tired of the violence provoked from Gaza. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231167283398&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
And here's an Israeli reporter's point of view: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231167283331&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Meantime the assault is staggering to a viable halt. Israel will stop shelling Gaza for 3 hours a day from today onwards, and possibly extending it in the near future. Things are easing up. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7814772.stm
Everyone wants it to end quickly and decisively. Let there be peace.
And here's an Israeli reporter's point of view: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231167283331&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Meantime the assault is staggering to a viable halt. Israel will stop shelling Gaza for 3 hours a day from today onwards, and possibly extending it in the near future. Things are easing up. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7814772.stm
Everyone wants it to end quickly and decisively. Let there be peace.
Yesterday
Yesterday I was utterly utterly exhausted. After a week of hard work in the garden and the rest of the house - cleaning up and throwing away lots of stuff - then lots of appointments, running from one part of the City to another; then there was the Liturgical celebrations (I'm hebdom).... everything took its toll yesterday. I returned from Terra Santa College literally half dead. It was past 5pm and my body just won't move anymore. Muscles and joints were aching. Asthma big time. And my brains just went blank. You know that feeling when your whole body just cannot go on anymore? So after feeding the canaries and wrapping it up against the cold wind, feeding the cat and tortoises, I went straight to bed. Oh I asked Matthew to take my place at Vespers as I didn't plan on going down for prayers or dinner. But the dean knocked on my door and told me I have to go down for dinner because our superior is going to give out our patron saints for the New year. Whew.
Managed to sleep for 45 minutes till 7.30pm, went down for dinner (we got some very nice sausages for dinner; then lots of panetonne) before the new year mission began. Fr Superior drew the names from a bag while the vicar Bro Rosario read out each of our patron saints for 2009, the virtue we must inculcate, the bible passage to meditate and a deceased friar to pray for. I was the last name to be drawn - thought they had forgotten me! So this is mine:
Patron saint: prophet Isaiah (feastday 9th May)
Virtue to inculcate: Disponibility
Bible passage: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" "Here I am," I said; "send me!" " (Isaiah 6:8)
Pray for: the souls of all deceased students and professors of our theological seminary
After that we cleaned up the refectory and I went straight back to bed.
Almost all the students and professors have returned from their vacation. School starts today - actually the exams. I'm doing some more reading and then it's back to bed. Too tired to continue anything. And Fr Arlon yesterday insisted on bringing me to the Nazareth hospital because I missed my last checkup. So I'll be going there with him on the 14th. Must fast for 10 hours as they're going to examine something or other about my blood suger.
While the ground troops have invaded Gaza and lots of casualties, here in Jerusalem there's quiet. Soldiers are still everywhere but people are trying to continue with life as usual. A humanitarian corridor has been opened in Gaza for aid and travel; and the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa's sisters) were given the choice to leave Gaza but each one of them chose to stay back and be with the people. They are real heroes. They are very brave. Egypt is now involved in a truce-plan with France .... that means the fighting is going to end. Egypt's involvement is a good signal and I am sure the war will end in a week's time. Mind you, this war has not stopped pilgrims from coming! There's still lots of them here in Jerusalem!
Managed to sleep for 45 minutes till 7.30pm, went down for dinner (we got some very nice sausages for dinner; then lots of panetonne) before the new year mission began. Fr Superior drew the names from a bag while the vicar Bro Rosario read out each of our patron saints for 2009, the virtue we must inculcate, the bible passage to meditate and a deceased friar to pray for. I was the last name to be drawn - thought they had forgotten me! So this is mine:
Patron saint: prophet Isaiah (feastday 9th May)
Virtue to inculcate: Disponibility
Bible passage: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" "Here I am," I said; "send me!" " (Isaiah 6:8)
Pray for: the souls of all deceased students and professors of our theological seminary
After that we cleaned up the refectory and I went straight back to bed.
Almost all the students and professors have returned from their vacation. School starts today - actually the exams. I'm doing some more reading and then it's back to bed. Too tired to continue anything. And Fr Arlon yesterday insisted on bringing me to the Nazareth hospital because I missed my last checkup. So I'll be going there with him on the 14th. Must fast for 10 hours as they're going to examine something or other about my blood suger.
While the ground troops have invaded Gaza and lots of casualties, here in Jerusalem there's quiet. Soldiers are still everywhere but people are trying to continue with life as usual. A humanitarian corridor has been opened in Gaza for aid and travel; and the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa's sisters) were given the choice to leave Gaza but each one of them chose to stay back and be with the people. They are real heroes. They are very brave. Egypt is now involved in a truce-plan with France .... that means the fighting is going to end. Egypt's involvement is a good signal and I am sure the war will end in a week's time. Mind you, this war has not stopped pilgrims from coming! There's still lots of them here in Jerusalem!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Peace please
It was still very cold today. The dean and I continued to clean out the garden this morning. No one threw bottles ... though I'm pretty wary of my surroundings now. Moved some very heavy pots 4 floors down to the Chapel courtyard. Then for the rest of the day I was reading up on my research.
Israeli troops have not only entered Gaza, today they divided Gaza into 2 or 3 quarters, isolating the pockets of extremists inside. But of course it's also fine-combing the area to release Schalit, the captured Israeli soldier. We want this nightmare to end - Jews, Muslims and Christians. Enough suffering. Enough deaths. With all the infra-structure in Gaza destroyed (schools, university, police stations, TV station, offices etc...), how in the world will the Gazans resume political and social/economic normality after the war? Who will help them rebuild? Who will help those people piece back their broken lives?
Israeli troops have not only entered Gaza, today they divided Gaza into 2 or 3 quarters, isolating the pockets of extremists inside. But of course it's also fine-combing the area to release Schalit, the captured Israeli soldier. We want this nightmare to end - Jews, Muslims and Christians. Enough suffering. Enough deaths. With all the infra-structure in Gaza destroyed (schools, university, police stations, TV station, offices etc...), how in the world will the Gazans resume political and social/economic normality after the war? Who will help them rebuild? Who will help those people piece back their broken lives?
Saturday, January 3, 2009
3rd day of 2009
3rd day into 2009. The war has intensified with Israel bombing northern Gaza .... probably to open a way for ground troops to enter. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1230733150721&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
This morning I was out with friends of Daniel and Cecilia Cavero, from the States. They are very nice people, very open to learn more about the complicated situation here in the Holyland. We visited the Knight's Palace, Casa Nova, the Holy Sepulchre and then had lunch at Nafoura. After that we walked slowly down the Way of the Cross passing the 8th till we reached the 3rd. There they had local Israeli friends waiting for them. I went home quickly as it was very cold.
The temperature here remains between 5 - 8 degrees. I think it should warm up the next few days. However we still need the rains desperately.
This morning I was out with friends of Daniel and Cecilia Cavero, from the States. They are very nice people, very open to learn more about the complicated situation here in the Holyland. We visited the Knight's Palace, Casa Nova, the Holy Sepulchre and then had lunch at Nafoura. After that we walked slowly down the Way of the Cross passing the 8th till we reached the 3rd. There they had local Israeli friends waiting for them. I went home quickly as it was very cold.
The temperature here remains between 5 - 8 degrees. I think it should warm up the next few days. However we still need the rains desperately.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Jan. 2nd 2009
National high alert today - Friday the day of Muslim prayers. Thousands of soldiers deployed here in and outside the Old City. Roads blocked and only muslims over 50 yrs of age may enter the golden Dome of the Rock mosque and Al-Aqsa mosque. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1230733143282&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull In protest, young muslims blocked the Way fo the Cross from our monastery gates down to the 3rd Station where they knelt and prayed during noon. Helicopters fly overhead and a blimp with camera is floating above us - capturing every movement in the Old City and East Jerusalem in case of riots and violence. There're 4 soldiers next to our school and another 4 further up the road at Ecce Homo. Opposite us is the Omarriya Boys school which is closed and on its roof are 2 other soldiers. Fr Giovanni Loche and I (and some others) went out onto our roof terrace to see what's happening. I started waving to the soldiers and Giovanni panicked! Like they might shoot us or something! I thought it was pretty funny (I also waved to the helicopters above us) and everyone thought I was crazy and inviting to get shot. What a way to die!
Then there are those 1st year students who are either naive or have no common sense. Some actually showed up at school to use the library!!!! Hallllooooooo????? There's a war out there!!!! Fr Giovanni, who's the library director shooed everyone home and closed the library for the rst of the day. All our workers have also gone home early or did not show up for work at all. No pilgrim groups coming to our church today and probably the Way of the Cross this afternoon will be cancelled.
Meanwhile fears that a ground assault will soon to launched into Gaza by Israeli forces (my guess is tonight) because this morning they allowed foreigners and foreign passport holders to leave Gaza. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1230733143072&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
This morning I worked 5 hours in the back garden. Jadallah came later to help me. We cleared out alot of rubbish and made 3 benches to put the flower pots (lots and lots of them .... mainly chilli plants), created little hiding places for our hibernating tortoises and planted some plants on the soil to prevent erosion. Am exhausted. But will have to continue working this afternoon as well in order to finish the job so I can get back to studying.
Then there are those 1st year students who are either naive or have no common sense. Some actually showed up at school to use the library!!!! Hallllooooooo????? There's a war out there!!!! Fr Giovanni, who's the library director shooed everyone home and closed the library for the rst of the day. All our workers have also gone home early or did not show up for work at all. No pilgrim groups coming to our church today and probably the Way of the Cross this afternoon will be cancelled.
Meanwhile fears that a ground assault will soon to launched into Gaza by Israeli forces (my guess is tonight) because this morning they allowed foreigners and foreign passport holders to leave Gaza. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1230733143072&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
This morning I worked 5 hours in the back garden. Jadallah came later to help me. We cleared out alot of rubbish and made 3 benches to put the flower pots (lots and lots of them .... mainly chilli plants), created little hiding places for our hibernating tortoises and planted some plants on the soil to prevent erosion. Am exhausted. But will have to continue working this afternoon as well in order to finish the job so I can get back to studying.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Jan. 1st 2009
Last evening we ended 2008 with an adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. We sang vespers, then Fr Claudio our dean read some read some prayers for meditation, then he gave the benediction with the B. Sacrament. We also sang the Te Deum ("We praise you o God" - prayer of thanksgiving) for the blessings of 2008.
After that we had a lovely dinner of seafood platter, fettucine and fish cooked by our Bro. Rosario. Then for dessert we had panettone, chocolates and almond sweets. The atmosphere was light-hearted and everyone enjoyed the fraternity for the last moments of 2008. At midnight we would have met again to exchange greetings but though I was awake, I decided to stay warm in bed. The weather is cold - last night it fell to 7 degrees. Today it's 5 degrees and tonight 4 degrees.
This morning we celebrated the Solemnity of the Mother of God at 8am. We sang the Mass and then had a late breakfast and exchanged greetings. Did my daily chores of feeding the birds, tortoises and cat. Then I stayed home to stay warm and safe. It is sooooo cold.
In the afternoon it was a crazy run of events. Had to go to the New City to do an errand but some friends from San Francisco called and we planned to meet up. At the same time some other friends from Washington were waiting to see me downstairs. Rushed down, met them, went out to the New City to do my errand (they came along), stayed with them for a late lunch at Nafoura restaurent in the Old City (pretty good food but a little expensive), went off to the Holy Sepulchre to book for a Mass tomorrow for the Missionaries of Charity, then rushed home to avoid the Friday prayers of the Muslims (remember the liturgical day begins at sunset). Soldiers everywhere in the streets of the Old City, pretty tense. Wanted to get home quick.
Thus past the first day of 2009.
After that we had a lovely dinner of seafood platter, fettucine and fish cooked by our Bro. Rosario. Then for dessert we had panettone, chocolates and almond sweets. The atmosphere was light-hearted and everyone enjoyed the fraternity for the last moments of 2008. At midnight we would have met again to exchange greetings but though I was awake, I decided to stay warm in bed. The weather is cold - last night it fell to 7 degrees. Today it's 5 degrees and tonight 4 degrees.
This morning we celebrated the Solemnity of the Mother of God at 8am. We sang the Mass and then had a late breakfast and exchanged greetings. Did my daily chores of feeding the birds, tortoises and cat. Then I stayed home to stay warm and safe. It is sooooo cold.
In the afternoon it was a crazy run of events. Had to go to the New City to do an errand but some friends from San Francisco called and we planned to meet up. At the same time some other friends from Washington were waiting to see me downstairs. Rushed down, met them, went out to the New City to do my errand (they came along), stayed with them for a late lunch at Nafoura restaurent in the Old City (pretty good food but a little expensive), went off to the Holy Sepulchre to book for a Mass tomorrow for the Missionaries of Charity, then rushed home to avoid the Friday prayers of the Muslims (remember the liturgical day begins at sunset). Soldiers everywhere in the streets of the Old City, pretty tense. Wanted to get home quick.
Thus past the first day of 2009.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
_et_Rahil_Halim_2.jpg)
