End of year

Thanks to Auntie Chan & Fiona and everyone else for your kind gifts. I'm sick ill for the past days ... due to stress and the bug that's striking everyone in the country due to the crazy weather. Fever and chills alternating. Am taking medication but makes me very drowsy. And a terrible headache.

Only to note that more catholics were killed in Iraq yesterday. It's time christians around the world show their concern by writing to their foreign ministries to protest this persecution and show that christians around the world still care, still follow the situation with concern and still have the power to protect their own.

The old year passes ... annus horribilis. I'll be glad never to see it again.

Yesterday

Yesterday's funeral was packed. Patriarch, bishops, priests; catholics, orientals and orthodox, all came. The Custos gave the homily. Said everyone is asking why ... but that is not what we should be asking. We should just believe that Jesus is the Resurrection and Life. Everything else is a mystery. When God visits us, strange things happen. The sisters were going to Bethlehem to celebrate the coming of God, but God met them halfway and brought them to the heavenly Jerusalem. Instead of celebrating the birth of Christ, they celebrated their own birth to eternal life. In such a tragedy, there is no place for philosophy or theology, just simple blind faith.

Ambassadors of Malta, Italy and Jordan said about the same thing, as did the Patriarch, bishops and representatives. But no one could keep a dry eye when Rania's mother called out for Rania to come back. Even those who did not understand arabic could understand a mother's anguish.

When the cortege moved out of the church to the cemetery on Mt. Zion, it started to drizzle. The sky darkened. Nothing was ever sadder.

Requiem eternam donat eis Domine

Funeral of Srs. Valeria, Salvatorina and Rania today. Rania's parents were distraught, She was 34 yrs old. I stayed behind the crowded church. Cried throughout the Mass.

Stop all the clocks ....

Am still in a state of mental-emotional limbo. Hardly focussing on anything. Have been having bad nights of sleep, biting my tongue and lips, grinding my teeth. Woke up with blood all over my mouth.

But during the day,  I must work. I have my responsibility to bear and obligations to fulfill. It is difficult going to work with a smile and having to joke and pretend everything is ok when it is not.

Rania is dead. Salvatorina is dead. Fr. Lino is dead. I never want to remember 2010.

Devastated

I've been crying the whole day and night yesterday. I cannot believe Rania is dead, nor Salvatorina. I'm devastated. I'm just torn apart. I'm still in a daze.

And as we creep to Boxing Day, more attacks on Christians on Christmas day - bombing in Philippines church http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1101120/1/.html and bombing in Nigerian Churches http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1101168/1/.html 

The Pope is calling for an end to anti-Christian persecution. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1101171/1/.html

struggling through

As I struggle to accept the death of Sr. Rania, I turned to Fr Vincenzo in Musky for help. He gave me some very beautiful insights on friendship and death which help me pull through this painful period:

Gli spagnoli a  Natale dicono felice Pascua de Navidad. A Natale la salvezza inizia, si conclude a Pasqua dopo la morte e resurresione di Gesù - È il nostro destino o per il credente il nostro cammino.

Ricordo un film che ho visto da ragazzo "il maestro" - Aveva per amico un bambino con  cui scambiava molte confidenze - Un giorno entrando in una chiesa si accorse che nella cappella dedicata a Gesù bambino c'era una statua che aveva la stessa fisionomia del bambino suo amico.

Un amico si sceglie perché ci sono dei lati positivi. Insieme si vedono i lati buoni delle cose e anche i lati negativi che si cerca di migliorare, Un amico è molto di più.

Non è facile scoprire il giorno del Signore e riconoscerne la visita. - Se piuttosto che impossessarti del bene - ti lasci impossessare dal Bene - Dio è nato in te.

My best friend is dead

Sister Rania is dead. She was my best friend. She died on Christmas eve together with her superior and Sr. Salvatorina who knew me since I was a student 20 yrs ago. They were on their way from the Sea of Galilee (Convent of the Mt. of Beatitudes) to Bethlehem for the Midnight Mass but their car skidded and smashed into a pylon. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/three-italian-nuns-killed-two-injured-in-car-accident-in-beit-she-an-1.332777 Sister Hiam, my other best friend survived but I don't know how serious her injuries are.

I was with Rania just that day before. We were laughing and chatting, giving high-fives and sharing our woes and problems. We talked and talked. We ate timsum and she liked it very much. And I said I'll die before her. But she said she'll go first and prepare a place for me. She was my best friend. She promised to meet me in Bethlehem for Christmas. She never made it. Her whole community was with me as we prayed vespers and adored the Blessed Sacrament. Then the next day all 3 sisters of the community died.

My poor poor Rania. Why? I should have gone first ... why must you always have the last word? My poor Rania ... and Sr. Salvatorina. I have no words .... she was my best friend.

Thanks

Thanks to all who have been generous with your gifts: Mary Leung (Sydney), Randy & Theresa Seow (S'pore), Glenda & Vincent Siu, Rosa Au, Angela Poon, Elizabeth Ho, Mary Chan (St. Jude's parish), St. Margaret's Group (HK), Vicky Lee, Letty Chabot & family, Rise Group, Cavero Family, Tse Ling Ling, Paulette, May Yu, Rose Chiu, Agnes Chiu Lee, Paula Leung, Mak, baby Laila for her drawing and everyone else for their prayers and support for the poor Christians in the Holyland. For more info see http://holylandassist.blogspot.com

Merry Christmas! All your beneficiaries remember you all in their prayers here in the Holyland.

Christmas Eve

Dec 24th ... the night before Christmas ... and we turn our eyes to the suffering of the Christians in the very land where the Messiah was born.

Christians are senselessly tormented in muslim countries. http://edition.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/12/21/ahmed.chane.christians.muslims/index.html?hpt=Sbin

and the persecution is rising http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/23/christians-face-rising-persecution-experts-say/?hpt=T2

and there will be no Christmas in Iraq this year http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/12/23/iraq.holiday.fears/index.html?hpt=T2

As I go to Bethlehem for the Midnight Mass, there is no cheer in my heart. I go with a weeping heart because the Cradle of the Messiah is bleeding; death and decay are its swaddling clothes; and the sound of modern murdered Holy Innocents rasp in the suffocating air of fanatical violence ... and all the while the rest of the world bawl its hollow "Gloria in excelsis Deo" to an audience that worships only itself.

Yes ... some rough beast has indeed awakened and slouches toward Bethlehem to be born. Woe to Christians in the Land of Christ. Our cheerless Christmas. Their Christ-less Christmas. Our last Christmas?

     ...............                   a waste of desert sand; 
    A shape with lion body and the head of a man, 
    A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun, 
    Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it 
    Wind shadows of the indignant desert birds. 
    The darkness drops again but now I know 
    That twenty centuries of stony sleep 
    Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle, 
    And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, 
    Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
                                                                   "The Second Coming"(1919) by W.B. Yeats

O Emmanuel

Yesterday was a little special. We went up to Mt. Hermon (Syrian border) to see the snow. It was a beautiful sight - the mountain side was thick with snow ... something I have not seen for many years in the south of the country. There were many other locals who drove up to this highest moutain in Israel as well ...  a nice little crowd with children rolling about on the snow laden slopes.

But as usual I was sick ... a terrible nausea and fever spoilt the day. Needed to rest but a car ride home of over 2 hours didn't help.

Giovanni Loche (our prof who's much younger than I) had a successful operation yesterday. And he was grateful for everyone's prayers.

Today's O antiphon is "O Emmanuel" which is self-explanatory
Latin:

O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster,

exspectatio Gentium, et Salvator earum:

veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster.

English:

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,

the hope of the nations and their Saviour:

Come and save us, O Lord our God.

Isaiah had prophesied:

• "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14

(Emmanuel means God is with us).

Christmas approaching but ...

Exhausting day, Poor Giovani (our prof.) is having his arm operated today and I've been contacting him the whole day, hoping to calm him. And Bro. Ovidio has turned for the worse. Both are in our Haifa Hospital.

As we approach Christmas, the news around us is nothing but war and terror. Tel Aviv jews have demonstrated to remove arabs and non-jews from the city; jewish youth gangs on the rampage attacking arabs in Jerusalem. Hatred and racism spreading like wild fire throughout the country. http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/upsurge-in-racism-as-protesters-take-to-the-streets-against-arabs-migrant-workers-1.331899

Earthquake in Indonesia, then another huge one in Japan. Freak snow storms in Europe. Drought in the Middle East. What a way to end 2010.

Yesterday's O Antiphon was "O Oriens" (O Rising Sun)
Latin:

O Oriens,

splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae:

veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

English:

O Morning Star,

splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:

Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

(Note: A literal translation of the Latin yields "O Rising Sun", but the poetic "O Morning Star" is often preferred.)
Isaiah had prophesied:

• "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined." Isaiah 9:2

Also compare Isaiah 60:1-2 and Malachi 4:2; Ml 3,20

And today's antiphon is "O Rex Gentium" (O King of the Nations)
Latin:

O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum,

lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum:

veni, et salva hominem,

quem de limo formasti.

English:

O King of the nations, and their desire,

the cornerstone making both one:

Come and save the human race,

which you fashioned from clay.

Isaiah had prophesied:

• "For a child has been born for us, a son given us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

• "He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." Isaiah 2:4

Also compare Isaiah 28:16 and Ephesians 2:14

May Christ our rising sun of justice come to rule the world as King, to remove all the hatred and war. Come, Prince of Peace.

Tourist murdered

In a frightening and tragic turn of events, a tourist was murdered and her guide stabbed in an archaeological park by alleged terrorists yesterday. Then today we have news that an IDF soldier has also been stabbed and almost kidnapped today in a different location. The violence is escalating as we have been expecting. Who will be next? What will be next? That's on everyone's mind tonight.

Today's O antiphon is "O Clavis David" (O Key of David)
Latin:
O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel;

qui aperis, et nemo claudit;

claudis, et nemo aperit:

veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris,

sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

English:
O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel;

you open and no one can shut;

you shut and no one can open:

Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,

those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

Isaiah had prophesied:
"I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and no one shall shut; he shall shut, and no one shall open." Isaiah 22:22

"His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onwards and for evermore." Isaiah 9:7

"...To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house."Isaiah 42:7.

Saudade

Last night received news that my former Brasilian collaborator Thaysi is leaving for Rome. Her transfer comes as a big surprise not only for me but for her as well as she had only 48 hour notice to pack and move.  Apparently there's an emergency in Rome and she needs to fill a vacancy. Thaysi is a very good friend and a very dedicated journalist. She does her job without any fuss and flows with the unpredictable exigencies of this sometimes crazy country. And she's a very pretty blond ... never fails to turn heads when she does a standup report on site. Anyway once she got the news, she called me even though I'm not her boss anymore for the past 5 months. And I'm grateful for that. That's dedication and loyalty. I'll surely miss her. Saudade!!!!

We had a Christmas gathering at school this morning. The usual carols, panettone and exchange of Christmas greetings. Also alot of goodbyes as most will return home for the holidays and return only after the New Year. I caught a cold so I stayed only for a couple of minutes then returned back to continue my research. I'm exhausted with this research but I must trudge on as others have overtaken me.

In the afternoon I went to say goodbye to the Italian film crew - Elisabetta, Matteo (co-director), Sig. Nocita, Matteo (photographer) and Nicola. They were a great team and we'll keep in contact until the film is launched. So many goodbyes today. Feeling a bit depressed.

Today's O antiphon is "O Adonai" (taken from Wikipedia)

Latin:

O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel,

qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti,

et ei in Sina legem dedisti:

veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.

English:

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,

who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush

and gave him the law on Sinai:

Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

Isaiah had prophesied:

• "[...] but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins." Isaiah 11:4-5
• "For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our ruler, the Lord is our king; he will save us." Isaiah 33:22

Also compare Exodus 3:2 and Exodus 24:12

O Wisdom

Pavel returned from Oxford Uni. to present his seminar today. He's a brilliant chap. He's completing his MA in Oxford while researching his doctorate here in our school. Interesting topic he chose, using classical intertextual approach.

The weather is still cold and it was sunny. Had to do some last minute shopping before the Sabbath begins. Always the problem that when I reach the supermarket, I forget what I want to buy. It's getting more and more frequent. I think I'm losing my mind real fast.

As Christmas approaches, today I was thinking about God's gift to us - his Only Son. It's difficult to find true friends in this world ... some people always have a hidden agenda; they make friends only if they can get something from you, milk you and sponge off you. God showed that his gift of his Only Son was not for self-interest; he gave totally and asked nothing in return. God is a true friend. He gave us his Son so we can become better ... to the extend that his Son had to die, so we can become better persons. As St. Paul says, He made us friends even while we were sinners. It takes alot of wisdom to learn from that and live it.

Today we begin the O antiphons for Mass and Vespers. Today is "O Wisdom" (below taken from Wikipedia)

Latin:

O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti,

attingens a fine usque ad finem,

fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia:

veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.

English:

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,

reaching from one end to the other mightily,

and sweetly ordering all things:

Come and teach us the way of prudence.

Isaiah had prophesied:

• "The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord." Isaiah 11:2-3
• "[...] he is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in wisdom." Isaiah 28:29

Also compare Sirach 24:3 and Wisdom of Solomon 8:1

This prophecy is also relevant in that it describes the Messiah as "coming forth from the mouth of the Most High", which is very significant in light of the Christian doctrine, rooted in the first chapter of the Gospel of John, according to which Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is the Incarnate Word of God the Father.

Christmas Present

This is my Christmas Present to you: a lovely song "Mary, did you know?" sung by Clay Aiken, lyrics by Mark Lowry.





Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak the praises of the lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I AM.

Recovering

This is morning was much better. Had been drinking the sage/rosemary concoction to warm myself. There's still the rasping cough and sore throat, but it'll pass. Everyone was very kind to me; from the cooks to the students and professors. The superior said to get rid of the canaries if I'm allergic to them.

Late in the afternoon I went down to St Anne's (Bethesda Pool - healing of the paralytic) to meet up with the film crew as I left them 3 days ago. They shot the closing scenes there. Looks good.

Here's a photo (left) of some of the core group: (L to R) Paola the manager, Elisebetta the co-producer, Nicola the co-producer, Marcello Mazzarella (lead actor). Now look closely at Nicola ... looks like Josh Groban, right? He's still not convinced though. Anyway Giovanni's missing ... he left for Italy and sent his regards. Paola is an incredible lady ... lived and brought up 3 kids in the Sinai Peninsula; speaks some arabic and constantly works around the world. I was very impressed by her.

Matteo (co-director) was out of the picture so I had to snap another one when he was free (right photo). The crew is utterly exhausted, as you can see from their faces (Matteo is totally wasted). Poor chaps. Hope they'll last till Saturday. I've been feeling a great sense of nostalgia for the media work ... I really miss it. I was not only director of the Media Center but I produced, directed, edited, sound mixed .... I think I touched every aspect of media work during my term there. Am now tempted to return to it ... the italian crew certainly think I'm up to it  and encouraged me to retake my former job. Perhaps ... perhaps .....

Asthma attack

Had a massive attack of asthma that left me semi-conscious this morning. Was cleaning the birdcage before transferring the canaries from their temporary cage to their main home. But my allergy to bird mites/poo caused a massive spasm in my windpipe and lungs. Luckily Jadallah our janitor was passing by and saw me. Some other guys upstairs also heard my gasping and came to the balcony to see what was happening. Just my luck, Jadallah went to my room and got a ventolin spray ... which was empty. Went back to get a second one ... and it was also empty. Finally found a third one which worked. I was totally exhausted by the time I recovered. Later in the morning when I was stronger, I went to the pharmacy to buy a new inhaler.

Need to rest for the remaining part of the day. The attack has left me with a sore-throat and lost of voice. And pretty shaken.

Feast of Santa Lucia, snow in Jerusalem

It rained the whole night and everything has been washed clean from the desert sands. There was even a bit of snow in Jerusalem. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/winter-storms-snow-in-jerusalem-and-a-boon-for-the-kinneret-1.330350  and http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=199183  But like clockwork, it stopped at 6am. The sun is back up and the winds are less gusty. It's 5 degrees today and Sinead our school secretary is wrapped up in so much clothes, she looks like a Christmas present!  What we dread now is cleaning our rooms as the sand has seeped through any opening in the windows and doors. There's a layer of sand on every table, chair, shelf ... even the floors. Every house, office, building has been affected. There's a major cleanup in Israel today.

The canaries were so cold, one died yesterday morning. They were thrown from one side of the cage to another by the gale-force winds yesterday - pretty battered. So last night the rest of the guys here told me to put them inside the house. Managed to catch them all while they were asleep in the night and kept them in a small cage - nice and warm for the night - inside the house. There're only 17 left.

Today is the feast of St. Lucia - the patron saint of Sr. Lucia the superior of the Faustina nuns who care for our kitchen and chapels. She's very happy and I think they'll bake a cake to fete her.

Guadalupana (updated + photo)

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe ... known to the Latin Americans as Guadalupana. The Latin Americans living in Jerusalem celebrated a solemn Mass yesterday evening. They must have braved the winds and storm to get to church.

Gale-force winds are tearing through the country. Cloud-bursts in the south but not enough rain though. Up in the north there's rain and I believe hail and snow as well. Right now it's around 5 degrees but it's expected to drop further. I'm sick in bed with an awful headache and cold. That's the price for standing out in the rain the whole afternoon yesterday.

Meantime a man has died of swine flu here in Jerusalem. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/jerusalem-man-dies-of-h1n1-swine-flu-1.330066 In any other country, there'd be a national reaction - hygiene warnings, precautions - but here people will continue to cough in your face, spit in the streets and never wash their hands. Absolute horror. With my lower resistance, I'll have to be extra careful.

And there's more exchange of fire between Gaza and Israel. Street talk here predicts an explosion of violence soon.

It's 6 degrees now but it feels like 2 degrees because of the wind. Snow in the Golan and heavy rains throughout Galilee. Sandstorm in the south - yellow skies and sandstorm covering the entire area making visibility quite bad. Rains are expected later today. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=198953 

The Old City is smothered by sand blown from the desert by gale-force winds. (left)


The Mt. of Olives is barely visible from the sandstorm. (right)

me in the movies

The drizzle started this morning at 5.45am. It wasn't much ... but the winds were awfully strong. So strong it reached 100km per hr. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=198953 The rains then came heavily but in several bursts. Believe me, the air was so polluted with dust when it rained, every raindrop was black. Now everything is stained black. We need more rain to wash it all away.

Anyway it is always good to have rain.

This morning a film crew came to do shots for an italian film. I was told the director is an award-winning maestro and among the actors is a famous legend of italian films Philippe Leroy-Beaulieu ("we grew up seeing his films" is what they tell me). Anyway I don't know them ... but they wanted to shoot a scene of something that happened to me last year. It was during the feast of Sukkot last year and the director and producers of this movie came to see me to discuss the project. As they were leaving, there were shots in the street outside and rioters were running and soldiers were chasing ... i quickly shut the gates and told them to stay put as it was dangerous outside. The director thought it was such a dramatic scene he now wants it as part of the film. The co-producer and good friend, Nicola, pursuaded me to re-enact the part but I refused. Instead I got another good friend/classmate, Agostino to play my part. After 5 takes, the director was satisfied. Everyone thought it was a good take. We also shot scenes on our rooftop panorama of the city and the courtyard downstairs, and the streets and re-enacted riots (we were soaking wet from the filthy rain and freezing cold). In all it took a whole day. Now I've caught a cold.

But it was good working with film media again. I miss it. Thanks to Nicola (co-producer), Matteo (asst. director) and Giovanni (not sure his exact role though but he's always busy), and Paola (manager) and Elisabetta (co-producer) for the organisation ... the entire crew and staff, and Agostino for playing "me" in the movies. By the way, Nicola looks like Josh Groban ... I mean exactly alike! Unfortunately no one here knows Josh Groban, so it was a bit difficult to explain this to Nicola. I'll get a photo of him and you be the judge.

Here's Agostino (the rookie on the left) and Philippe Leroy (the seated veteran) between takes. I know ... Agostino doesn't look one bit like me ... but that's ok; we'll allow for some poetic license here. Besides, I look a lot better.

Iraqi Christian memorial

The persecuted Christians in Iraq gather to pray. Let's pray with them and for them too.
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/12/10/iraq.church.standoff/index.html?hpt=C2

Forecast this weekend is stormy weather. Temp. will fall to 3 degrees and snow will fall in the northern mountains. Strong winds are expected. In the south, there might be sandstorms while rain may also fall. The country is bracing for traffic jams and airport closure.

We have just turned on our central heating system after lunch as many of us are feeling the bite. http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/stormy-weekend-ahead-as-winter-finally-arrives-1.329770  Jadallah our janitor and I have just fixed up the plastic coverings over the canary cage to protect the birds from the storm that's expected to break this evening. Flower pots have also been lowered to the floor lest they fall down from sills.

I've been suffering from asthmatic attacks every night for the past week. Khalil has boiled sage and rosemary leaves with a drop of brandy to warm me up. It's a bitter brew but it does stop the phlegm and coughing. And the thermal vests you sent are coming very handy right now.

Deuteronomy 10:19

The distressing news that 50 municipal rabbis have signed a letter instructing Jews not to rent or sell rooms to non-Jews have caused a storm in the country. Here we can see the power of the rabbis over democracy. Fortunately some wise rabbis have resisted this zionist movement in judaism, such as the 96 yr old venerated rabbi Steinman http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/leading-haredi-rabbi-refuses-to-endorse-letter-forbidding-the-rental-of-homes-to-arabs-1.329493 and the leading non-hasidic rabbi Elyashiv http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/amid-uproar-two-rabbis-pull-their-names-from-letter-forbidding-rental-of-homes-to-arabs-1.329751 whose denunciation lead to the retraction of two rabbis' signatures in the letter.

Even Yad Vashem - the Holocaust musem and educational center - has come out to denounce such racism. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/yad-vashem-forbidding-rental-to-arabs-is-a-blow-to-jewish-values-1.329706   The President and the PM have also added their voices against this letter.  But in this ancient land where the rabbis have always held the sway of daily life, it is unlikely anyone can stop them except their own followers. The rabbis say racism is ok if practised by jews because it is divinely sanctioned in the Torah. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/top-rabbis-move-to-forbid-renting-homes-to-arabs-say-racism-originated-in-the-torah-1.329327 but a correspondent reacts to it  http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/racism-under-cover-of-the-torah-1.325311 

The Anti Defamation League puts it well when it says it's outrageous that rabbis are blatantly promoting discrimination while at the same time accusing others of anti-semitism for the very same acts.

A Jewish correspondent has written an article bemoaning the distortion of Judaism toward racism http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=198433 

All I can say is: read Deuteronomy 10:19 "And you must love the the stranger among you, for you yourselves were once strangers in the land of Egypt". But of course, how are we to define "stranger"? - is he a non-resident Jew or a resident non-Jew?

Immaculate Conception

Another day of drizzling yesterday. Not quite enough but better than nothing. The weather forecast says the next few days will be hot again but on Saturday rains will return with hailstorm, temp. falling to as low as 3 degrees. Let's hope so.

For the past 2 days the muslims have been celebrating their New Year. Lots of drumming, singing and dancing in the streets of the Old City. The Jews are ending the feast of Hanukkah today. But for us, it's the wonderful feast of the Immaculate Conception. Though it's a celebration of Mary's birth without original sin, it's also a reminder (from the 2nd reading) that we are all called to this new life - a recreated life, a renewal of creation and especially of ourselves.

Shark conspiracy theory

Like I said earlier - everything in this country is politicised. Even the shark attacks in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh. Now Egyptians are saying the man-eating shark(s) was(were) planted by Israeli secret agents to undermine the economy. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11937285 

Clarification

It's Wahib's nephew (brother's son) who died in the Carmel fire.

Rains

Yes it finally rained - it began in the early morning yesterday and right through the day. It wasn't exactly a shower, rather a heavy drizzle. But it soaked the ground and the plants were wet. That certainly helped stop the Carmel fires. It's finally doused. And it's emerged that the fire started with a 14 yr old schoolboy smoking a nargila (water-pipe) and throwing the live coal into the forest that started the fire. A small act that destroyed thousands of acres of land, millions of trees, dozens of countries involved, lost of many of lives.

And sadly yesterday my faithful driver and friend Wahib called to tell me his close relative was one of the victims of the Carmel fire. He's spending this week in mourning. Those of you who know him, please pray for his relative. Wahib is devastated.

Rain tomorrow"

Carmel fires have largely been contained - not doused but contained. But 12,000 acres of land have been destroyed and millions of trees burnt. The dead have been buried - including a 16 yr old volunteer. Photos of the last moments of the burning bus were captured but it is all too distressing to see. I couldn't look at them, not at the last moments of people's lives as they burn to death. They should not have printed them on the newspapers. It's not right.

The fires have united Palestinian, Turkish and Israeli firefighters, working shoulder to shoulder.  The gigantic American 747 douser arrived this morning and with the other foreign planes and helicopters have circled the skies to douse the flames. And tonight we hear some possible good news - slight rain tomorrow in the north ... hopefully enough to wet the ground to stop further fires from spreading.

Unfortunately nothing in this country is far from politics and religion. Hamas has announced that the Carmel fires are divine punishment on Israel. Hamas however has called for a special day of prayer for rain today.

Another shark attack at Sharm el Sheikh - this time deadly. The German tourist died. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11922032

Feast of St. Barbara (Eid el-Burbara)

Vivid photos of the worst bushfire in Israel's history. http://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2010/12/world/gallery.large.israel.wild.fire/page.01.html?hpt=C1 and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-11901937  On TV, there's 24 hour news coverage. Tragic scenes of grieving families burying their loved ones or identifying them in the mortuary. Affected peoples inclide Jews, Druse and Christians. Now the news is reporting that there are smaller fires in lower Galilee. This is bad. The winds are too strong and no one can stop it till it burns itself out. I fear that fires will also start here in the south - in Judah. Everyone is just talking about water - if we had water, we would be able to contain the fires. But there is no water, no rain. Once again Mother Nature shows us that despite all the advanced technology, nothing can stop her earth, wind, water and fire. Only God who created nature can stop it.

Today the local church is celebrating the feast of St. Barbara (in arabic Eid el-Burbara). It's a big feast day - and is something like the Jewish feast of Purim or American Halloween. She is remembered as a martyr who suffered tremendously for her faith - her chief persecutor being her own father. Finally beheaded after a series of tortures, St. Barbara is the patron saint for those who suffer sudden death, providing them occasion to receive the Last Rites and Viaticum (Communion before death). Locally the christians bake a sweet called Burbara (Barbara) made from barley, anise, raisins and lots of sugar. Every year the sisters in Bethlehem bake this and send them to us. Perhaps St Barbara will intercede for us to stop the fires and send us some rain.

Heroine

Asst. Cmd. Ahuva Tomer, the 1st woman commander in the Israeli Police rushed headlong into the fire to save the trapped cadets in the Carmel inferno but was herself badly burned and is now fighting for her life in ICU. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=197818

 The country is reeling with shock and disbelief at the immensity of this fire. Reports say fire spread almost 1km in 3 mins. Everyone is watching the news on TV or listening to the radio, talking about it. Utterly devastating. The fires are still raging, and Israel has admitted it is out of control and need foreign help as State depart.s are not equipped to handle such a huge calamity. Thankfully countries have started sending planes ... even from Turkey, which our PM graciously thanked despite the souring of relations. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/british-greek-cypriot-planes-join-battle-to-contain-israel-s-worst-ever-wildfire-1.328535  Human tragedy draws hearts, not swords.

Now we hear the fires have cut into Highway 4 and Highway 2, nearing Denya and towards the city of Haifa - Israel's 3rd largest city. I think Zichron Yaacov is also cut off.

The whole irony of this fire is it's burning on the very mountain that 2700 yrs ago the prophet Elijah called fire to fall from heaven. But also from the same mountain the prophet saw the cloud of rain that ended the 3 yr drought. And another irony is it's burning during the feast of Hanukkah - the feast of miraculous light. The feast is called the days of awe and light - but now with a tragic twist. What biblical lesson can we learn? Let's hope there're no more casualties.

Tragedy in Carmel

Dreadful fires across the Carmel range of mountains have claimed some 50 lives. The strong winds and drought have contributed to this awful tragedy. 40 of the dead were prison guards on the way to move prisoners but their buses were trapped by the fires and engulfed them. Absolutely dreadful. Let's hope foreign countries will respond to Israel's call for help and send aircraft to douse the fires. And let's hope this doesn't happen to the south of Israel which is much more arid. When will God send us some rain? Why all the snow in Europe and not here?

The Carmel range is famous because it is associated  biblically with the prophet Elijah and especially the famous challenge between Elijah and the prophets of Baal by calling fire to fall upon their sacrifices. The sanctuary of Muhraqa ("sacrifice") is right in the middle of the mountain range - let's hope the Carmelite fathers are safe. The Carmel mountains are venerated by the Carmelite Order as the location of its foundation. The friars have 2 monasteries and the nuns have one, all along the mountain range. The Carmel mountain range ends with the coastal city of Haifa. The university of Haifa would also be in danger. The nearby Druze/Christian village of Isfiya is also evacuated.

Last night at 10pm our area shook from a series blasts of stun grenades. There must have been some rioting in the Silwan (Siloam) area south of the Old City just 1 km from where we stay. We could hear shouting and lots of stun grenades exploding. All very disturbing. It was the 2nd night of Hanukkah and many Jews had gone to the Wailing Wall to pray - which is directly next to the Silwan neighbourhood.

Today is the feast of St. Francis Xavier, the jesuit missionary who lived in Malacca and Macau. Pray for us St Francis Xavier, that we may be saved from war and natural calamity.

Hanukkah

The shark attacks in Sharm El-Sheikh are shocking: white-tips are dangerous but an attack such as this is unexpected, least of all 3 people in 3 days. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11891450  There're more hammerheads out there and an attack by a Great Hammerhead would have been expected.

Hanukkah has begun. The first candle was lit last night and this will continue for the next 7 days. I really like the rabbinic insight about candles - you can only have the flame when the wax and wick are consumed, destroyed, sacrificed. It reminds me of the prayer "It is in dying that you're born to eternal life." Too bad I missed the lighting at the Wailing Wall last night. Am still suffering from severe diarrhea and am not ready to go anywhere outside. The stomach cramps can be real bad.

Weatherwise, the temp. is falling steadily. But still no rain ... which is starkly in contrast to what is happening in N. Europe where Arctic conditions have swept across and causing havoc. If only we can have some of that snow for our parched land.

Wow - two major earthquakes today; first in Papua New Guinea and now in Fiji.

Tree of Knowledge

Monday was a day of fasting for Jews; and intensive prayer at the Wailing Wall. The chief Rabbis have called for a day of repentance because it is the sins of the people that is causing the drought. http://www.jpost.com/VideoArticles/Article.aspx?id=197407  Well it's equally valid for muslims and christians. It's time for everyone in the country to fast and pray for rain.

Yesterday's sirens remain a mystery ... no official explanation. Not very smart - this silence. Because the next time they sound, and it's a real attack, people will just ignore it and think it is another false alarm or practice run. Human lives at stake.

Meantime every govt. in the world is scuttling to put a spin on its own confidential cables that Wikileaks disclosed. During dinner this was a big topic at table - how national security and other things are compromised by Wikileaks actions especially in an ultra-sensitive region like ours. Is it worth sacrificing peace for knowledge? Here in our country we're very practical - we're simply tired of war, tired of suicide bombers, tired of stone throwers, tired of evictions and raids. All we want is to go on with daily life, that children can go to school safely, people can shop in a market and get goods they need, that villagers can cross from one part of the country to another, to harvest their olives and grapes without harassment. And we don't want to sell this in exchange for some knowledge that sows discord and distrust. Remember Eve? She saw the fruit of Knowledge of Good and Evil as something desirable; but when she ate it and got the knowledge she wanted, she ended up for the worse - fearful (hiding behind the tree), foolish (making clothes from fig leaves) and insecure (nakedness). Wikileaks' move sounds just like the Garden of Eden and the desire for Knowledge all over again. Welcome back to Genesis.

Sirens (updated)

Sirens have suddenly sounded here in Jerusalem. Students from the school opposite are being herded out of classes. No one knows what is happening. Is it a memorial siren? We know nothing about a memorial.  and it's the war siren that sounded, not the religious siren. War? No sign of anything in the skies. Practice dry run? Whatever it is, it sure drew some panic.

Having spoken to the rest of the people around here, it was almost unanimous that everyone thought a missile from Iran was launched against Israel. Everyone panicked for the first few seconds. I had my survival pack ready. But now we think it was a practice run for the real thing. It was exactly at 10am that the sirens sounded - not the Sabbath sirens but the really loud sirens that indicate missile attacks and run-for-cover. Funny though, that we were not informed of this. I don't find it anywhere in the newspapers and others said it was not announced on the radio.

Strawberry season

Temperatures are falling this week. Daytime is fine enough - 21 degrees or so, sunny and breezy. But nighttime falls between 8 - 6 degrees. My hot-air fan is out.  And it's terribly dry as well - humidity is 12.

This would mean fine weather for the Jewish feast of Hanukkah which begins on Dec. 1 and lasts for 8 days. It would be nice to watch the lighting of the Hanukkah lamps - but I get terribly exhausted walking a distance nowadays. I am just so drained lately. Some of the guys here are quite concerned and several come to visit me daily to persuade me to rest. They're good guys and I appreciate their concern. But sometimes work and responsibilities demand alot and the body cannot go any further.

And the fine weather has resulted in another year of strawberries from Gaza. They're really good and the export is going to help the Gazans.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/starting-with-strawberries-gazans-open-fresh-export-season-1.327375 The fruit vendors are selling strawberries as well but I think these come from kibbutzim. Gaza strawberries are exported.

1st Sunday of Advent

More massive fireworks being fired right now from somewhere behind our house. The explosives are so powerful it not only rocks our house but also all the cars parked in our tiny alley. Their alarms are wailing in a cacophony while the muezzins continue nonchalantly with their call to prayer .... adding to the rising volume of sounds that encrust us.

Yesterday night Matthew celebrated his successful seminar by organising an Indian cookout. ALl the indian students were of course present (except Praveen who was in Tel Aviv to shepherd his Konkani parishioners). Also invited were several of his friends. The chicken curry and tapioca curry was great. My contribution was cooking the rice. It was a relaxing moment - to be able to eat home food and speak english again.

And we start a new Liturgical Year. Advent points to two events - one in the past in which we recall the birth of the Messiah; and another in the future, of the Messiah's 2nd coming. The readings today remind us that we must not be passive participants in this 2nd coming but must be fully engaged in active works - we do not "wait" but participate in the coming.

Olive pickling

The drought is so bad, this year the olive crops are a disaster. We have no usable olives from Gethsemani and Capharnaum. Instead we have to buy them and they are very expensive not only because of the drought but also because of the war on olive groves between Jewish settlers and Palestinian farmers. The price of olive oil has gone up by a third and the price of bread/flour is also rising. It's going to hit hard the poor people.

Anyway the few bags of olives that we bought have to be prepared for pickling. The good ones are crushed for its oil while the less plump ones are chosen for pickling. This means bruising them one by one with a wooden mallet. Jadallah and I did it for 2 hours this morning. It's backbreaking. And there's a certain technique to employ so that the olives don't skid off the table when you bash them. We had to sweep out many olives that fell under the cabinets. And between bruising the fruit, we had to select the really bad ones out to throw away, as well as separate the leaves and twigs. And after that hardwork, the hands and fingers are black with olive pulp and oil ... which makes the hands really soft and smooth. It was fun and I enjoyed it ... but my back is aching now.

Meantime Nadia had to cook lunch. Looks like beef stew today.

Day before Advent

The drought situation is now so severe, all three religions are uniting to pray for rain.  http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/never-ending-summer-sends-rabbis-imams-priests-to-pray-for-rain-1.326893  Yesterday and next Monday are days of fasting for Jews. I think muslims were also praying for rain at the Dome of the Rock yesterday. And soon I'm sure the bishops will issue instructions for christians to fast and pray as well. It's getting really bad, this drought. Maybe we need another Honi the circle-drawer (cf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honi_HaM'agel )

Meantime we're all puzzled why there're so many fireworks being fired behind our house at all odd hours of the day and night for the past week - it literally rocks our house as the explosives are massive. There can't possibly be a wedding everyday behind our house. Sounds more like intimidation tactics by our neighbours. They're all out to get us, and they don't give up.

Today is the last day of the Liturgical Year - and the reading from the Book of Apocalypse closes it with "Maranatha" - "Come Lord". Yes Lord Jesus, come. We need it.

Scrambled brains

Yesterday Matthew presented his seminar on his research. Pretty complicated topic he chose. And I still am lagging behind. Don't see my seminar coming up for this year. Have been forcing myself to study overtime ... 20 hours everyday and yesterday 24 hours. That must be the reason why I'm so tired and confused. It must be showing because this afternoon I decided to take a walk in the New City and do some shopping (food for the canaries and a jacket that Fr Loffredda wanted - he's too old to walk out and buy them). Three separate people (Eusebio on his way home from the library, the muslim shopkeeper who just came back from Mecca and our doorman Firas) told me the same thing - "You look terrible. Go home and rest."

Anyway I was so confused I went to the grocery and forgot what I wanted to buy. Munir (Abu George officially) the owner laughed and told me to go home and rest. That makes 4 people.

Well it was a nice walk nevertheless. Lovely cool breeze. I needed the fresh air. Ben our volunteer at Ss. Simeon and Anna (the hebrew-speaking parish) wanted to join me so we met at Kikar Zion (Zion Square in front of Ben Yehuda Mall). We went to Supersol our usual supermarket to get veggies for canaries, then the petshop to get birdfood. Ben bought a guinea-pig last week from the same shop. Yucks - I don't like guinea-pigs. A lady was at the shop with a lovely black american cocker - we had lots of fun playing with it.

Anyway the brains are still scrambled ... but I need to complete analyzing another 16 verses.

Apocalypse

More attacks on Iraqi christians - 2 brothers shot in their shop, one old woman strangled at home.  http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/11/22/iraq.christians.targeted/index.html  In Cairo, one christian dies and 150 arrested  http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/11/24/egypt.christians.clashes/index.html  And in Pakistan, a christian woman is unlikely to escape the blasphemy law.  http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/11/24/pakistan.christian/index.html?hpt=T2 

As we end the liturgical year, the readings for Mass are from the Book of the Apocalypse (Revelation) - a message for persecuted christians to persevere because evil will be vanquished and God will triumph. It sheds some light of hope for us here in the ME; victims of fanaticism and fugitives in modern catacombs. Here, in the cradle of Christianity, the Mother Church is dying ... and the world looks away ... disinterested.

St Andrew Dung Lac

Persecution of Christians again - this time in Cairo. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11828692   It's times like this that today's memorial of Ss. Andrew Dung Lac and companions (Vietnamese) bring strength and consolation.

Haven't seen Yoyo today. Don't know if he was beaten up. For those who ask why "Yoyo"; it's actually "Yuyu" short for "Yusuf". Anyway I left a bag of chocolates with his dad ... Yoyo's going to need energy ... to run or to fight. If you still don't know ... kids fighting in the streets is a daily occurrence and adults have to pull them apart. It's a violent environment that the kids grow up in, and unfortunately there's nothing to turn this culture around.

Yoyo loses his mojo

This morning I had to go out to the courtyard after Mass to speak with Sr. Cecilia. Majed our doorman was sweeping the courtyard and Muhammed his no.4 son (7 yrs old) was helping. Majed called Yoyo his no.3 son (8 yrs old) to come out to greet me ... and Yoyo was all grouchy and down the dumps. Didn't even give me his usually arabic style wham-bam high-five. Usually he's the most fiesty of Majed's 5 sons - the first to get into a fight and the first to start anything. Well today he wasn't. Found out he was being bullied in school. Poor chap. He's really small for his age (poor nutrition) but he's a good chap. He calls me Abu Zenaiba (father of mosquitoes) because I catch mosquito larvae to feed the fish. Hope he settles that problem in school. It's terrible to see him with his head down, dragging his feet and no confidence at all.

I'm still pretty lost mentally. Thought it was Wednesday today and got lots of stuff mixed up as a result. People had to remind me it's Tuesday. Something going around in the head that's making me so confused. Maybe I need to rest. I couldn't even remember the name of our driver ... I just stood at the door of the car trying to recall his name and drew a total blank. Maybe I'm tired. Whatever. Even forgot to take my medication for 2 days. No wonder I'm feeling sick.

Well let's hope tomorrow will be better.

More thanks

Sincere thanks to the parishioners of Vancouver (Canada) for their kindness: Agnes, Dominica Chan, Queenie Chiu, Amy Tam, anonymous #1, Louisa & Brian Tam, anonymous #2, anonymous #3, Fatima Cheung, Dorothy Ma, Magdalena Chan, Maria & Grace Lee, Pauline Chan, Tam Mei Wai, Thomas Wong, Ambrose Wong, Francis Wong, Katherine Leung, Pamela Ho, Mr. & Mrs. David Lem.

Visit http://holylandassist.blogspot.com for your sponsorship.

Thanks

Thanks to all for their help: Bosco & Dorothy, Joyce & Cris, Anonymous, Auntie Mary Chan, Christine & John, Justin&Caitlin&fmly, Helen & fmly.

Solemnity of Christ the King

This is really cute ... a chihuahua has qualified to be a police dog. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11804083

Meantime the unbelievable wave of tourists is finally showing signs of abating. Hopefully the crowds will die down by these two weeks and our lives can get back to normal. But we have been warned that next March will be another crush of tourists inundating our tiny city.

Now this is a really good idea ... bus police to maintain good manners on board - Israeli students tell passengers not to speak loudly on their cellphones, give up seats to the elderly, not to put their feet up on the opposite seat etc... http://www.haaretz.com/culture/arts-leisure/israeli-students-appoint-themselves-bus-police-to-enforce-manners-1.325294

Today is the Solemnity of Christ the King - His universal sovereignty over everyone and everything all the time and everywhere. In a world that peddles democracy, this feastday might be awkward. But then again the concept of an all powerful sovereign who loves and cares for his subjects to the point of giving up his life for them may just be that element that gives security and confidence that the democracies today have been failing to give us. He's king of kings and lord of lords. And I'm glad he is.

More violence

Another day of violence. This morning it was up on the Mt. of Olives. Two feuding families (again) were shooting at each other. One dead, one wounded. Then the fruit shop at the corner of the junction was burnt down; and then the electrical shop as well. Tensions are building up in the arab population. Someone told me this morning that the Palestinian psyche has reached it's breaking point and people are culling each other. Frightening thought.

Did you see the BBC photos of a mother elephant bitten on the trunk by  a crocodile? Dramatic photos of a tug of war. I would have thought the elephant would have trampled on the crocodile, but it didn't.

Weekend

Friday was strangely quiet - being the last day of the Adha feast - lots of muslims have gone to the Dead Sea or other holiday places to barbeque. It's a long weekend for them, now that it's Sabbath as well.

However the violence has not abated. Gaza fired rockets into Israel, and they retaliated. Yesterday we saw lots of soldiers and police at the entrance of the road. Apparently two feuding families were shooting at each other for the past days and someone was hurt. It's becoming too common for family feuds to resort to firearms - in Lod (Lydda), Ramle (Arimathea), Silwan. To get caught in the crossfire would be fatal. So going out means knowing if the area is safe otherwise you might get shot for nothing.

Thanks

Sincere gratitude to the following for their generosity:

1. US$100 for poor children (anonymous donor from St Jude Parish Pilgrimage HK)

2. US$200 for poor children (anonymous donor from Faith Tours Singapore)

3. US$300 for charity (anonymous donor from Faith Tours Singapore)

4. US$1000 to sponsor a student ((anonymous donor from St Jude Parish Pilgrimage HK)

5. US$140 for the poor (Patsy Lim, Lily Tan from Singapore)

6. US$50 from anonymous donor (Faith Tours Singapore)
7. US$350 for poor children (anonymous donor from St Jude Parish Pilgrimage HK)
8. US$900 for medicines for the sick (Wednesday Class, HK)
9. US$500 for the poor (St Jude Parish Pilgrimage HK)
10. US$500 for Musky kids (St Jude Parish Pilgrimage HK)
11. US$500 for franciscans in the Holyland (St Jude Parish Pilgrimage HK)

Thanks also for the medicines, books, clothes and massage machine. And thanks also to Christine Lee, Yvonne Yiu, Nancy Yiu, Anthony-Gigi-& family, Agnes Chiu Lee & family, Cavero family, Rosary group, Francis & Emily Shu, Rose Chiu, Shum Hon Chiu.

Another day

What a lovely surprise to bump into some old friends here in the streets .... several protestant revs. whom i had collaborated for many years and some i have known for 30 years. Despite their age (80s), they are still spritely. It was very good  and we were very happy to see each other again. Also bumped into Ghazi, an old colleague; and Daniel who used to work at our place back in the 1990s; Sergy who's happily married, Francesca who's making an unexpected stop over. Too may surprises for one day.
Action in the north and south today - Israel Defense Forces bomb and kill a terrorist in Gaza (south), while IDF troops without from Ghajar at the Lebanese Border (north). All I know is helicopters were flying overhead most of the day.

Muslim festivities continue throughout the country. Got spat at and cursed by muslims children in the streets. So much ecumenism and goodwill.

Good to see Prince William proposing to Kate M. ... finally. And a proud day for St. Sgt. Salavtore Giunta who's received the highest US award to a living soldier. We need a little smile in this worrisome  times. Earthquake in Indonesia again; Ireland's econ. is collapsing, and here we have no rain. It gets terribly cold in the night but it still is not raining. But we try to smile.

feast

And the festivities begin for the feast of the Sacrifice, The streets are filled with people dressed in their best. Music blaring everywhere. Fireworks in the night. Carcasses of sheep haging at all butcheries. Unbelievable scenes. Some of my muslim friends have gone to Mecca for the Haj.

Plant theft

Iraqi christians have demonstrated in the streets of Baghdad to call for protection from the European Union.  http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_602957.html 
But sadly I don't think the West is interested. When the US attacked Iraq in 2003, I was interviewed by a news agency regarding what will result from this siege: having been to Iraq and visited the Christian Quarter of Baghdad, my first response was "The Christians will suffer." I am right. The Christians have suffered and are still suffering. I feel sad for all the Iraqi religious who are now living here and around the Holyland - they have families still back in Iraq, persecuted and fearful.

Last night I went out for dinner with Osvalda our librarian. It's been a long time since we went out to catch up with the latest happenings - alot of memories of Fr. Lino. We had a simple dinner of kababs round the corner of Jaffa Gate - at a small christian restaurant. After that we went back to Casa Nova and had ice cream with the superior Fr Raffaele and a visiting bishop. I restricted myself to a small piece. Then on my way home I passed through Damascus Gate. It was bustling with activity. Lights were strung from outside to inside the Gate, vendors crowding every conceivable space selling anything and everything. It was very festive and exciting. Tonight begins the muslim feast of the Sacrifice - Al Adha. I think it will last for 3 days.

Tourists continue to flock here in the thousands. Good economically, a disaster for locals living in the cramp Old City. Tiny streets and alleys are not meant to carry thousands of people each hour and locals are feeling extremely frustrated by guides who stop in the middle of streets explaining this and that. Traffic is totally blocked and tempers flare ever so often. The groups are totally oblivious to the local community; they occupy the entire street taking photos and eating and chatting, causing so much noise and litter. And as I discovered yesterday evening, they even steal .... some of the plants I planted in our courtyard. Several geraniums and alyssums  were totally lifted up from their beds and spirited away. I bought 43 pots of those plants and planted them 5 days ago. What will tourists do next? Stealing plants from a sanctuary.

It's a hard-knock life

Yesterday was a real hardwork day. Andrea came over and we worked on 4 texts in 8 hours flat - no lunch. By 5pm I was so exhausted I fell asleep immediately. Didn't wake up for dinner. I think today will be the same ... I need to finish my work today.

There'll be another Day of Prayer and Solidarity for Iraqi Christians this Sunday. Sadly no one except France has made any gesture to help the Christians in Iraq.

Israel has issued warnings for its citizens to leave Egypt and Sinai because of terrorist threats. I'd warn tourists to leave those places too ... no good getting caught in crossfire. Meanwhile tourists are flooding into Israel like never before - Indians and Russians are the majority ... literally coming in the thousands.

Feast of St Leo the Great

This morning at 10am I got a call from a journalist telling me there was another bombing in Baghdad killing some Catholics. I was horrified ... less than a week after 50 were killed in our church ... and the Iraqi govt. has still not provided protection for Christians??? All talk talk talk but no action. And no western country is protesting .... no guarantees from America to protect christians. Shameless.

It didn't make the feast of St Leo any better for me. This afternoon we had the funeral Mass for Fr Lino. We had to rush it through because by 4.30pm the sun sets and we cannot have the procession through the Old City to the cemetery on Mt. Zion.  Mass was filled with nuns and local christians. Many were crying. Three bishops were also in attendance. I had a hard time walking up to S. Salvatore for the Mass as my knees are all swollen and weak after having knelt for half an hour beside Fr Lino trying to resuscitate him. Now I'm wearing my leg braces. Luckily Johanny came with me and helped me climb the hill to S. Salvatore. Also accompanied me home.

So ... feast of St Leo - my festa onomastica (patron saint's day). Everyone was very nice. Khalil baked a lovely cheesecake with strawberry topping .... aaaahhhhhh but I was good. I shared half with Mother Theresa's sisters and the other half with the librarians (Osvalda, Sr. Maria, Martha-Maria, Hilda, Sinead). Then Nadia made Makhloubey ("Upside down" vegetarian version) - my favourite dish. And Jadallah's wife made Warra Dhawalli (greek Dolmades - grape leaves wrapped with lamb meat). And the sisters of the kitchen made an apple-crumble with saccharine instead of sugar. All so fantastic! But I can't possibly eat all of that - so I called Johanny to share most of it. He doesn't have lunch most of the days because he lives up on the Mt. of Olives and cannot go back for a meal and return to school in time for afternoon classes.

The celebration was muted as I asked the superior to keep it sombre in respect for Fr Lino's funeral. Everyone understood and respected it. But the brothers here are so warm and sincere. Lorenzo, Matteo, Linson, Bijou, Alejandro, Rosario, Matthew and the professors especially Fr Ravanelli who made an intercession during Mass for me, everyone shared their joy and best-wishes. I really like this community. And all the workers in the house too ... and even some of the muslims across the street who knew about the feast.

Fr. Lino Cignelli R.I.P.

It was all so sudden. We were all at the Immaculata Hall at St. Saviour's this morning for the opening lecture of our school year by Bishop Bruno Forte. I was sitting at the end, the last seat, with Fr Johnny. Fr Lino came down the aisle and joked to me, tapping me on my shoulder - the last place will be the first, he said, it is the place of service. Then he moved up to the row in front of me and spoke to Eusebio. Then he collapsed on the ground. I rushed to catch him but was too late. Eusebio tried to raise him up but I said to let him lie where he was. His lips were turning purple. Someone was shouting to Sergei to come as he knows first aid. But I could see Fr Lino was not breathing and tried to force open his mouth - he was biting his tongue. It was so rigid, he bit through my fingers. Luai came and both of us continued to try opening his mouth. Sergei started massaging the heart. We couldn't breath into his lungs as his mouth was tight shut and the tongue was blocking the way. He turned blue. After half an hour, he was gurgling and Sergei said it was the end. There was nothing we could do or knew what to do. By the time the nurses came down from the infirmary, it was past half an hour. Fr Lino died. I was holding his head all the while. I made the sign of the cross on his forehead and kissed it.

Fr Lino was my professor of Greek 18 years ago. And although he was retired, he continued to follow my research. In fact I go to see him every week as we analyse the text of my research together.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord; May perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.

Chill out

Took yesterday and today as chill out days ... didn't study during the day (read some books in the night though) as I was just too strung to do anything. Yesterday I snapped at Lorenzo when I misheard what he said ... but later when I realised what he actually said, I went back to his room and apologised. He was ok with it as he knew I was at breaking point. He told me to take a vacation. Today it was Entre the Transylvanian who got a tongue-lash from me. But he deserved it. No apologies for that!

I told the Dean I wanted a couple of days to chill out and he said ok. So yesterday I cleaned my room and planted the geraniums in 8 flower boxes downstairs. Elias - who serves as my unofficial bodyguard; he calls me his "brother" - whom I have known for 20 years, came to see how I was doing after the operation; and he exchanged his 2 canaries with ours in order to spread the gene pool of our broods.

Later in the afternoon a german lady fainted in our courtyard. We weren't sure if it was fatigue, heatstroke, haert-attack etc... so an ambulance was called. Well, it's Jewish and they don't want to enter our Quarter without armed security. I said according to the Accord, no weapons are allowed in religious houses. But seeing the german lady in need, I decided to close one eye and let the two armed police enter our courtyard with 3 para-medics and 4 student medics. And ... it drew so much attention all the arab neighbours came over to see what was happening. I took the opportunity to get to know them, exchange a few words here and there. Got to know Yusuf, who's the son of the photographer Haymed ... he wasn't as nasty as I thought. Then I learned that Achmed comes from the Tanhouri clan - Achmed is very selfconscious that he's a muslim and he would never speak to me in public when other muslims are around; he only speaks to me when no one sees or is within earshot. When I walk pass him while he's with his muslim pals, we pretend not to know each other. That's how great the religious divide is in our area. Muslims and christians don't speak to each other - at least not openly. Anyway the armed police and para-medics brought the lady to Ramat Rachel Medical Center (near Bethlehem) and the crowd dispersed.

Then when it was dark, I decided to take a long walk in the New City. Stopped at the chinese restaurant and it was bustling with people. But the boss, Ah Ling told me to sit in a corner and after a few minutes she brought out a big bowl of porridge and mui-choy ... not on the menu obviously but what the workers cook for themselves to eat. Really really nice. And I didn't have to pay for it! Ah Ling, Por Por and their gang are very good to me ...  even the arab waiters ... we had a good laugh and chat while the porridge was boiling.

Last night a massive asthma attack got me at 1am. Couldn't sleep for the whole night. Used the inhaler but no use. It was really bad. I had to sit up the whole night without sleeping. By the morning I was exhausted. After breakfast I went back to sleep. In the afternoon went out for a walk and did some shopping (veggies for the canaries, an apple strudel for diabetics- the owner came out to personally show me the latest cakes he baked), then planted the rest of the geraniums in 8 other flower boxes upstairs.

After that it was the moment to truly chill out - get to watch Youtube results of last night's X Factor. I'll bet you after last night's performance, Matt Cardle will be the winner next month. His performance, his vocals were just "utterly stunning" as Simon Cowell says. Listen to him hit the high C ... faultless. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYnb8n8wxAk  Disappointed - Mary Byrne my favourite contestant - her powerful voice failed last night; it was a wrong choice of song, too low and outside the range of her vocals. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCppkc0MGVg  Disappointment - One Direction - too much hype, can't sing, can't dance, the only thing going for them is the cute factor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nxTirfs5dM  Frankly this year the contestants aren't anything like previous years' - this year the vocals are an absolute letdown other than Matt, Mary Bryne and Rebecca Ferguson (Eartha Kitt!!! How come no one has made this connection between them yet??? Rebecca has the voice of Eartha Kitt!!! Let it be on the record that I am the first to note the resemblance) Last year we had fantastic vocals like Stacey Solomon, Danyl Johnson, Olly Murs and the fantastic winner Joe McElderry or previous winners like Leon Jackson and Leona Lewis. My bet this year is Matt. He'll win hands down.

Again

This afternoon another bomb+granade+gun was found in a district of Jerusalem - Geulah. http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=194160  Luckily army sappers blew it up before it caused any damage.

Gardening

Bomb and explosives were found in a junction of a Jerusalem suburb. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/explosive-device-found-near-main-junction-in-jerusalem-1.323160

The weather is running strange this week - hot in the afternoons (28 degrees or so) but cold in the nights (12 degrees). And the sun sets at 4.30pm which is normal for winter. But having to plant flower bulbs (freesias, anemone and ranunculi) in our tiny garden because a race with the sunset. I had only half and hour to do before it became all dark. Managed to plant only the ranunculi - so the freesias and anemone will have to wait till tomorrow. It's 40 - 60 bulbs each.

Fr Johanny of the Silent Workers of the Cross invited me to their convent for a week's rest. Sounds like a good proposal but I have to finish my research and teaching. Don't know quite how to juggle all these. And the other jobs around the house that I have to do .....

And the news ......

Just got back from Hadassah hospital with a monster splitting headache. Got there on time at 10am. It wasn't very crowded but as usual there is always that compulsory wait. I looked through the reception glass window (the reception and cubicles are separated from the waiting room by glass) to see if Dr Rizen was in but couldn't see him. There was only a handful doctors there, but I asked the receptionist anyway that I wanted Dr Rizen to follow my case. She said ok and placed my file on the waiting rack.

After waiting for over an hour, like, everyone else was in and out of the clinic except me. Then I saw Dr Rizen at the reception and signaled to him. He signaled back "one minute". After 5 minutes he came out to the waiting area and asked me if I had registered (which I did) because he couldn't find my file. I was worried. He went back and after another 5 minutes he came out with my file and brought me into the clinic. Unfortunately all the cubicles were occupied, even the 3 surgery rooms. But once a surgery room was free he got me in and checked the lip. It was cleanly healed and all was removed. No nerve was damaged. So that's good news. Once that was cleared, we moved to the reports. And ..... there's no report on the biopsy. It's on the waiting list. Doc didn't know why and said "no news is good news, right?" Then he suggested that it might take a week more but in any case he'll call me when he gets it.

Got to rest now. Head is splitting.