Chadwick Cheung RIP

Just received shocking news that one of my students and collaborator, Chadwick, had died suddenly a few days back. He's much younger than I am, and has a family. It's awful. Chadwick has been keenly interested in the Bible, and was part of the group that animates Lectio Divina in various parishes. I'll say a Mass for the repose of his soul and I hope you'll pray for him and his family.

Chadwick, faithful servant of God's Word, rest in peace.

Samaritan Passover

This evening the Samaritans celebrated their Passover. I decided to go because firstly I wanted to meet Abuna (Fr.) Yusef, the 82 yr old Melkite priest who is my good friend and esteemed member of the Nablus region; also I wanted to greet the new Samaritan High Priest who took office 2 months ago.

So in a hired minibus with 10 of us (2 from Telepace, 4 from Koinonia community, Jo, Andrea the cameraman, Fr Abdo who joined us literally while on his way home) went to Mt. Gerizim. The crowd was so immense, there was already a traffic jam 5 km down the hill. We had to walk part of the way to the sacrifice area but could not enter as it was already packed.

Abuna Yusef met us at 6pm and surprise! there was Abuna Johnny as well ... a nice priest from the Patriarchate who was transferred to the Nablus parish 8 months ago. We had a good chat. Then we went to greet the Samaritan High Priest who was in audience. He was quite young compared to his predecessors. After wishing him a happy feastday, we sat in the audience hall with other dignitaries ranging from high govt. officials from Israel and Palestine, muslims, jews and christians, even settlers from the nearby settlement, diplomats ... Sr Capilla whispered to me and said it is the Samaritans who succeed in bringing peace. Here in this room enemies gathered smiling, shaking hands, clapping at each others' speeches. Brigadier Generals and Israeli soldiers armed with weapons ate dates with Palestinian Hamas and Fatah leaders. The atmosphere was one of sincere joy to meet again in a place sacred to all three monotheistic religions. Sr Capilla was right. Here the Samaritans have brought peace to the land.

The missionaries of Charity (Mother Theresa's sisters) came along in Abuna Johnny's car - Sr. Capilla was one of them. She was superior of the Jerusalem community but only a month ago she was transferred to the Nablus community. These sisters are fantastic. They packed dinner for us so we would not go hungry on our way home - packet drinks, chocolate bars, pizza, kneiffe (sweet baked cheese) ... the works. They are so kind to think of us 10 people ... that is so the spirit of Mother Theresa.

The moon is full, the wind is terribly cold and wafts of clouds wriggle between the moon. The wheat and wild grass along the slopes of Mt. Gerizim shimmer under the moonlight while thousands of people walked down the mountain to their transportation. It was eerie yet fascinating. We left the sacrificed lambs roasting in the pits, dense smoke rising to the moon. The Samaritans had already gone home, putting the lamb's blood on their doorposts. They will return to the sacrifice area to collect the roasted lambs to eat ... at midnight.

It was a good excursion. I'm exhausted, but happy for Abuna Yusef who looked healthy, for the Samaritan community for their feast, and for those who for the first time saw a bloody sacrifice of sheep amd realised the stark consequence of Christ's death for us. But for us ... He is risen from the dead!

Food glorious food

Wow! Did you see the S. Pellegrino's annual "World's 50 Best Restaurants" list ? Singapore's Iggy came in 28!!! Now that's something!!! And another Singapore restaurant Jaan Par Andre was listed 38. The only other Asian restaurants listed are two places in Japan. So Singapore swoops 50% of the world's top 50 restaurants in Asia.


Tensions have died down here in Jerusalem. Thousands of pilgrims are flocking back to the Old City and no one is talking about the shooting at the courtyard of the Holy Sepulchre. Silwan tensions are under covers again till the next provocation.


The moon is almost full tonight ... lovely huge face in the sky brightening up the darkness. Tomorrow it will reach its peak. And the Samaritans will celebrate their Passover at the top of Mt. Gerizim as they have done for the past 2,300 years. I'll try to go and see it. I get tired easily nowadays.


Last night Fr Tomislav came to my room after dinner to explain diabetes. He's diabetic himself. It was a long lecture but he explained many things which I now understand better. The sisters in the kitchen are very kind and try to offer food that I can eat. I guess everyone has noticed how I lost weight in 2 weeks and are worried. Even Fr Loche came in the morning to help me feed the canaries ... absolutely unthinkable!!! I really appreciate my community. They show their best when someone is in need. And thanks to all the advice you've given. I'm going through them to see how to handle diet, exercise and medication to control my diabetes. It's not easy but I'm trying. Which brings me back to the first topic of this blog ... top 50 restaurants in the world .... very unlikely I'll frequent any!!!  But thanks again. Will pray for you all in return for your kindness and concern.

Good Shepherd Sunday

Tension in the southern part of the Old City - outside the walls - in the Silwan neighbourhood. Extremists rightwing Jewish group marched through the arab area to show who's boss and calling the govt. to remove all the arabs there. The arabs shouted back and threw stones. But no major incident.  http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/137186 
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1165188.html 

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday. Fr Pietro presided at the Mass and in his homily said that the Gospel reading not only calls shepherds to be good, but sheep to listen and follow. Interesting insight.

There's a tremendous surge of tourist groups today - the streets of the Old City were packed. Where do they all come from? The Ministry of Tourism yesterday vowed to change the deplorable treatment of foreigners at the airport. Hopefully entering and leaving Israel will be a pleasant experience. http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=173754 

The Druse today begin celebrating their feastday - they honour Jethro the father-in-law of Moses who is supposed to be buried in Kfar Hattim up on the mountain over the Sea of Galilee. http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=173840

On Wednesday 28th the Samaritans will celebrate their Passover. They still slaughter sheep in keeping with the Passover ritual. Jews no longer slaughter sheep on their Passover because there is no temple in Jerusalem to receive the sacrifice.

UFO?

An unidentified object flew into Bat Yam - the Tel Aviv beach. Despite being doused with sea water, it kept on burning. Wow... cryptonite? They think it's a meteor; others say it's from the Iceland volcano.... so the rumours go ....

http://www.jpost.com/HealthAndSci-Tech/ScienceAndEnvironment/Article.aspx?id=173824

Prayer Day for Iraqi christians

Today christians in the Holyland pray for fellow christians in Iraq. Iraqi christians on their part erected a statue of Christ the King on a hill.

The sculpture is only a tenth of the size of the 40-metre (130-foot) iconic statue that towers over the Brazilian city, but it has become a popular site for visitors in Hamdaniya, the north's largest Christian town. -- PHOTO: AFP

HAMDANIYA (Iraq) - THE Christians of northern Iraq have chosen to defy mounting attacks by extremists by erecting a statue of Jesus modelled on the giant Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.
The sculpture is only a tenth of the size of the 40-metre (130-foot) iconic statue that towers over the Brazilian city, but it has become a popular site for visitors in Hamdaniya, the north's largest Christian town.
'The idea of the statue is not to say Christians were here in case we leave,' said Bashar Jarjees Habash, the city's coordinator of Christian affairs. 'But the idea of building the statue of Jesus opening his arms is to send a message of peace to everyone to say that we want to live in peace with all,' said the 48-year-old.
In February, Human Rights Watch called on Iraq's government to do more to bolster security and protect Christians after a string of deadly attacks on the community ahead of last month's elections.
'The statue might be small if we compare it with what Christians did for Iraq over hundreds of years. The statue is stone and can be removed at any time, but the history of Christians cannot be abolished,' said Habash. 'We have a great history, we are very loyal to Iraq,' added the official charged by the church with preserving religious monuments.
The brick and plaster structure is in the middle of Hamdaniya, a city populated by 45,000 mostly Syriac Christians as well as a Kurdish Muslim community that makes up about 10 per cent of the inhabitants. Its construction was initiated and carried out by two local security guards who also have artistic skills. Using their bare hands, it was a labour of love. -- AFP

Attack in Holy Sepulchre

An attacker was shot by police at the Holy Sepulchre. No reason is still known for the attack.   http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1164972.html

Armenian Genocide Day

Yesterday the Armenians remembered Genocide Day - when the Ottomans are accused of killing millions of Armenians 100 years ago. There was an exhibition in the Armenian Quarter of the Old City and today the Armenian Orthodox Church will celebrate a memorial service that begins in their cathedral and ends in the cemetary. In the genocide several Franciscan missionaries in Armenia were also killed - most famously St. Salvatore Lilli. He was bayonated together with all his parishioners. And so persecution against christians continue.

Today local christians pray for the persecuted christians in Iraq as a sign of solidiarity. The Mass will take place in the village of Ibilin. Hope you'll spend some time to pray with us too.

The temperature today fell drastically. Freezing cold. This weather report is brought to you courtesy of Angela Lee who follows the blog for weather forecasts.

And Jaffa Gate has finally opened after a much needed facelift. The ancient city gate had stones falling off dangerously and reconstruction took place several months, closing off the city gate. Of course the workers took advantage to dig up the ground as well and found a major Byzantine side road running directly below the Square that is within Jaffa Gate.

Salvatore Lilli

Some basic information on St. Salvatore Lilli, tortured and killed in Armenia.

Born 19 June 1853 at Cappadocia, Aquila, Italy. Son of Vincenzo and Annunziata Lilli. Joined the Franciscans in 1870, making his vows on 6 August 1871. Studied at the Franciscan seminary in the HolyLand. Ordained in Bethlehem on 6 April 1878. Missionary in Jerusalem for two years. Missionary to Marasco, Armenia in 1880. In addition to preaching the faith he built schools, clinics, and homes for the abandoned, and taught modern hygiene and sanitation in the remote villages. Worked endlessly with the sick during a cholera epidemic in 1891. Missionary to Mujuk-Deresa, Armenia in 1894. In 1895 the area was occupied by Islamic Turks who captured Salvatore and fellow Franciscans Baldji Oghlou Ohannes, David Oghlou David, Dimbalac Oghlou Wartavar, Geremia Oghlou Boghos, Khodianin Oghlou Kadir, Kouradji Oghlou Tzeroum, and Toros Oghlou David. They were tortured and ordered to convert; they refused. Died martyred on 22 November 1895 in Mujuk-Dersi, Armenia (modern Turkey).

St. Salvatore, pray for us.

Prayer day for Iraqi christians

Yesterday was Earthday. The Old City switched off its lights for one hour. Only street lights remained. It was eery to see the huge monuments like the Citadel disappear into the darkness.

The building that we saw burning several nights ago was confirmed as the Petra Hotel - owned by the Greek Orthodox Church. Only the upper half was destroyed. Word is going around that it applied to the govt. to renew it's roof but did not get approved, so by burning it would get pass this bureaucracy. But as you know, and which someone once famously said - this city runs on rumours.

I can hear fighter jets roaring overhead. Must be another attack on Gaza. I just got another load of medicine for the Christians in Gaza. Lots of medicine for schizophrenia. Christians are so traumatised by the fighting and persecution, many have loss their senses. The Missionaries of Charity are trying their best to care for these people, and rely on our help to get the medicine.

On Saturday 24th, the local christians and clergy will gather in the town of Bilin to pray for the christians in  Iraq. There the persecution is even more ferocious, and Iraqi christians living here in Israel are asking for our prayers and help. So the local churches are uniting to spend a day of praying in unity with Iraqi christians. I hope you will also. Spend a moment on Saturday praying for your fellow christians in Iraq, offer a Mass for them, go to the Internet and inform yourself of how bad the situation is, spread the word to other christians, say a rosary, get an intention mentioned during Sunday Mass. In times of such persecution and suffering, we must unite in faith and courage, and like the ancient church mentioned in the Mass readings this week (Acts of the Apostles), we must support and defend each other.

Independence Day

Right now we can see an awful fire burning in the Old City towards Jaffa Gate. We had gone up the terrace to see the lights of the new Hurva synagogue but instead everyone else were on their roofs watching that dreadful fire. It was so huge we could see the fire going up to the roof and burning it down. We are afraid it could be one of our buildings like the Franciscan Bookshop or the Christian Information Centre. I called some friends living up that way and they said it's certainly burning in that direction. Let's pray no one was hurt.

What a terrible way to end Independence Day celebrations. During the day, helicopters and fighter jets flew in formation and families came in hoards to Independence Park to barbeque as is the tradition here. Street concerts and entertainers played their stuff to thousands that flocked from Independence Park all the down to Mamillah Mall and into Jaffa Gate where the fire is burning now. The Israelis are proud of their nation, and anyone who's been here can tell you it's transformed from an Ottoman outback to one of the most modern cities.

My sugar level is coming down and my swollen fingers, hip and feet are almost back to normal. The night thirsts have lessen and my cramps too. But I'm strictly on my veggie, no-carbo diet. I do get tired easily so I try to restrict my work (as if ever!!!).

Firas our helper saved a baby turtle-dove yesterday when it fell from it's nest one floor up. It's fully fledged but still unable to fly, so I'm handfeeding it as well as the other canary chick. The 2nd chick died this morning. I'm trying my best ... but I have no experience in handfeeding chicks. Still learning ... trying to save a fragile life.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day started off last night solemnly. Israelis remember the soldiers who fell while protecting the nation. Special candles with the Israeli flag were lighted.

Tonight begins Independance Day. Just when you think everyone is lightening up to the event after the solemnities of Memorial Day, you read in the papers that ultra-orthodox Jews have started protesting against the celebrations. Burning rubbish and Israeli flags, you might have thought it's the work of Palestinians. But it's the ultra-orthodox Jews who do not recognise the state of Israel. They believe only the messiah can create the Israeli state, not Zionists. So they protest, burn, disrupt traffic, throw stones. http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=173500

Helicopters are flying overhead, so there must be some tensions around the Mosque area or Ras el Amud neighbourhood.

Back to canary news - the runt died yesterday evening after having refused to eat for a whole day. Hope the rest will hang on.

Meantime my swollen fingers, hip, knee and feet are back to normal. But I'm having severe cramps in the calves the whole day. Must be some chemical imbalance. Will go to the pharmacy with Fr Loche to see what medicine I should take.

Thanks

Thanks to Doris Seet, David & Brenda Low, the doctor who donated the medicine and water purification pills, the two pilgrims who offered their dynamo torches (sorry I forgot your names). And Angela Lee who brought them all over. Your beneficiaries are very grateful for your kindness.

3rd Sunday of Easter

Independence Day celebrations begin tomorrow but it's preceded by Memorial Day where fallen soldiers are remembered. The siren will sound tonight at 8pm. I better remember that and not panic again.

The baby canaries have hatched - 6 in all. But 3 have been left unfed by the parents. I've started handfeeding them. Not an easy job for such tiny babies. The runt has refused to eat today. It'll probably die.  There's only so much that you can do. It reminds me of some people who, no matter how much you try to help them, they refuse to help themselves.

Today's Gospel reading has to do with Jesus forgiving Peter on the shores of the Sea of Galilee during breakfast. Fr Loffreda presided at Mass and preached a nice sermon - he being an archaeologist of that area of the Sea of Galilee. One nice observation was - Peter was a fisherman and he caught nothing that night. Then Christ came along and told him to "Feed my sheep" - changing Peter's career from a fisherman to a shepherd! Not easy for someone his age and experience. But fishermen can be shepherds if Christ calls and Christ supports. Ready for a change in your life?

No iPads

The big news all over is: Israel is banning the iPad. People coming into the country with iPads get them confiscated. Govt. has sent out warnings to all visitors not to bring iPads into the country. Probably it interferes with security ...  something to do with wavelengths that clash with that of the IDF.

Meantime my diabetes is still way up. No bread, carbos, fruit, sugar, sweets, cola .... I practically had nothing to eat since dinner the night before - only a cup of black coffee. Now I found some biscuits for diabetics. Hopefully I'll find some bread for diabetics as well. Otherwise my meals will be restricted to salad ... which has given me bad diarrhea today. The swellings have gone down abit but the hip joint still hurts alot. I guess it's something to offer up for all your intentions. Jesu ufam tobie!!!

crippled

I've been having swollen finger joints, hips and knees for the past few days; bad enough to stop me from walking long distances. In fact some friends saw how bad the swelling was, they drove me home from work. Arthritis, that was what everyone thought.

Then I linked it with the awful, rasping, choking thirst I have had every night for the past week. I drank at least 3 litres (two 1.5 litre water bottles) during the night but still feel thirsty immediately after. And I thought it must be diabetes. Well yesterday I was really sick. Some friends said my face was terribly bloated and I was practically crippled by the swelling joints. Got some test-strips for the diabetes test ... the colour was between the 2nd highest and the 1st highest ... so it must be very high! Bad. Since yesterday I've been off all carbos and suger. Expect me to loose another 5 kgs! I'm practically living on raw veges right now.

Back to local news: Israel's IDF (defense force) has been holding the largest emergency drills for two days, creating chaos in the streets. Ambulances have been cutting across the city, helicopters flying even into the night .... the message seems to be: prepare for war. That's a subject everyone is talking about in the streets ... war is going to come soon. Either that or the earthquake.

And talk about natural disasters, did you see the meteor entering the USA? Search in CNN for the videos ... awesome bright light streaking across the sky and exploding. As Sinead would say: it's a message from God. Well, for my diabetes, it sure is a message.

The Gospel readings this week are all from the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. It must have been quite a challenge for Nicodemus, a Sanhedrin member steeped in religious tradition to hear the new teaching from Christ. It was a life-turning point.

Eucharistic adoration

Eucharistic adoration on Divine Mercy Sunday

Gathered at the co-cathedral of the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem on Divine Mercy Sunday, clergy, religious and laity adored the Blessed Sacrament while meditating on Jn 20:19-31.

© 2010 Franciscan Multimedia Centre (Jerusalem) and Cancao Nova Holyland.

Holocaust Day

Monday was Holocaust Day. Despite having spoken about it on Sunday evening, I forgot about it on Monday. When the sirens sounded at 10.05am I thought a missile was coming our way. Got my survival pack quickly and went out to see what was happening. Then realised it was Holocaust Day.

The city has been very tense these past weeks. Talk of war is everywhere in the streets. Fighter jets flying overhead almost every other day. Gaza bombed several times so far. The tension will explode to violence soon.

And Independence Day is round the corner. Security has been stepped up, checkpoints are closed or are more stringent. Soldiers everywhere.

This morning as I was walking home from the Convent of Ivrea, I was thinking about the violence in the past month - the Passover riots in front and around my house. At that time I received several calls - all from muslim friends from the north - asking if I was alright, if I needed any help or to move out to their houses for safety. It was very touching, especially when you think they're all muslims. Yes there are still good people left in this world.

With the hamsin over, the weather turned around and it has become very cold again. 8 degrees or something in the night. People are getting sick left and right.

And earthquake in China. You noticed there's a major earthquake every week now. Sinead says it's a punishment from God. Well, I really won't dare to make a judgement. But the whole world seems upside down right now. Try reading the Apocalypse and frighten yourself!

The 8th Day

John's gospel says that on the 8th day after the crucifixion and burial of Jesus, he appeared to the disciples in the Upper Room and showed Thomas his hands and side. Well yesterday was the 8th day and we read that Gospel passage for Mass. It's amazing to think that the actual place is just a few hundred metres away from my place. But for the rest of you, blessed are you who do not see yet believe!

Yesterday saw one of the worst hamsins we've had. It's the desert wind that blows between Passover and Pentecost (50 days) and is called simply "fifty" or hamsin in arabic/hebrew. It's the wind that precedes Pentecost. We had fine sand all over our mouths and noses and hair. Eyes had to be closed most of the time. And the wind was very strong, making things fall off. Here're some photos of the desert sand caught between cracks on our terrace.

Yesterday was also Divine Mercy Sunday. Our Faustina nuns (They live in a building behind our monastery and take charge of our kitchen and chapels) celebrated it in a grand way at the co-Cathedral with the Patriarch presiding. Sadly it was also a remembrance Mass for their president and those who died in the plane crash. I'll put up the video of the Mass once it's ready. The Patriarch in his homily spoke of God's infinite Mercy to all; He's all forgiving and all merciful. And the greatest sign of that is here in Jerusalem where He sent His only Son to die for us as an act of mercy. There is no sin so serious that God cannot forgive.

Mass at Emmaus

Easter Monday, local Christians and pilgrims gather at the Sanctuary of Emmaus to commemorate the manifestation of the Risen Lord to his two disciples. After Mass, 800 loaves of bread were blessed and distributed to all as a reminder of Christ's presence among us today.

(c)2010 Franciscan Multimedia Center and Cancao Nova

Easter Sunday Mass

Mass at the Empty Tomb presided by His Beatitude, Patriarch Fouad Twal.

(c)2010 Franciscan Multimedia Center and Cancao Nova



Part 1



Part 2

Thursday

Fighter jets flying overhead the whole morning. Probably another bombing of Gaza.

Did you see Lin Yu Chun on Taiwan Talent? Branded as Taiwan's Susan Boyle. Stunning performance.

El Messiah Kam

We're in Easter! Here the locals wish each other "El Messiah kam" and the response is "Hakom kam" meaning "Christ is risen" - "He's truly risen". It's actually a translation from the traditional and ancient greek greeting "Christos anesti" - "alethos anesti".

It's a great season here in Jerusalem because the resurrection took place here, and we can all see the place - the Empty Tomb in the Holy Sepulchre basilica. Wanna know how I spent my birthday? Picking rubbish in the Basilica at 7am on Easter Sunday. Yup, that's the truth. The Orthodox who celebrated their "Holy Fire" service at Easter Vigil left a mess of rubbish in the basilica ranging from tissues to orange peels, apple cores, bread crumbs, biscuits .... you name it. They have no quelms about eating in church ... even the holiest place in Christianity. Well the mess was so overwhelming Bro Greg and I decided picking up the garbage. After that everyone was laughing at me because that's how I started Easter Sunday and my birthday - picking garbage in the Holy Sepulchre.

I hope you liked the videos of Holy Week. It's all in italian but the images speak for themselves. Most of you who have been to the Holyland would recognise the places.

el Messiah kam!

Easter Sunday

Mass at the Empty Tomb

"He is risen! He is not here!" The Gospel proclamation made at the Empty Tomb this morning echoed the first time it was uttered here in the very same spot 2000 years ago ... "He is risen".

(c)2010 Franciscan Multimedia and Cancao Nova

Holy Saturday

The Triumph of Light over Darkness

In Jerusalem, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is celebrated early in the morning, at daybreak, as recorded by all 4 gospels. Fire and water are blessed and the resurrection is proclaimed on the very spot it took place - in front of the Empty Tomb.

Good Friday

The Way of the Cross

The route Jesus walked carrying the Cross is found in Mt. 27:31-56; Mk 15:16-41; Lk 23:26-56 and Jn 19:16-42. Christians from all over the world come to Jerusalem on Good Friday to continue this journey in faith.

© 2010 Franciscan Multimedia Center and Cancao Nova.

Holy Hour at Gethsemani

Holy Thursday at the Basilica of the Agony in Gethsemani (Jerusalem), the Franciscans of the Holy Land celebrated the traditional Holy Hour in response to Christ's invitation "Could you not keep watch with me one hour?" (Mt. 26:40).

Holy Thursday: Last Supper Room

Pilgrimage to the Cenaculum (Last Supper Room)

Every Holy Thursday the Franciscans lead a procession to the Last Supper Room where they recall the events that took place there by reading the Gospel accounts: the Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist, the washing of the disciples' feet and the commandment to love one another.

(c)2010 Franciscan Multimedia Center and Cancao Nova Holyland

Holy Thursday

Mass of the Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper is a poignant moment when Jesus showed his love for his disciples by washing their feet, giving his Body and Blood as the Eucharist, and teaching them the great commandment to love one another (Mk 14:22-25; Mt 26:17-35; Lk 22:14-38; Jn 13:1-38). The Mass of the Lord's Supper was celebrated by His Beatitude, Patriarch Fouad Twal in front of the Holy Sepulchre (Tomb of Christ).

(c) Franciscan Multimedia Center and Cancao Nova Holyland