Ss. Simon and Jude

Today we celebrate the feast of Ss. Simon and Jude. Simon is also called the zealot and Jude is also called Thaddeus, relative of Jesus. One tradition says both apostles went to Persia to preach and were martyred there. Or some say in Armenia or Lebanon. Whatever the case, they were apostles, local guys from this land and so today is a great feastday here. Let's pray that Ss. Jude and Simon will intercede for us to have peace in this land - Jude is the patron of hopeless cases.

Today also is the annual pilgrimage to the Baptismal Site of Christ in the Jordan. I think lots of people went there this morning - it's a military site bordering the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and military permission is required to enter that place. Solemn Mass was celebrated on the altar just along the banks of the shrinking Jordan River.

Yesterday there was a violent fare-up at Umm Al Fahm between Jewish and Arab demonstrators. Fortunately whatever happens there rarely affects the other cities in Israel.

Just when I thought the wound had healed and I could eat solid food again, it started bleeding and I think it must have re-opened. Don't know if it'll have to be re-stitched. Let's see how severe the bleeding is and if I can stop it. Otherwise it's back to hospital.