Superior's anniversary

Another unsettling day as we receive news of 2,000 killed in Libya; and protests starting in Lebanon and Oman as well. The region is on fire. As Israel begins to lose Arab allies left and right (literally), it's beginning to find itself trapped at the negotiating table with Palestine. Even Europe is turning to support the left that is taking over the Arab nations; and Israel's rightist intransigence will be its own downfall unless an enlightened make-over is made.

It is terribly sad to read that racial hatred is still so tenaciously upheld here in the Holy City. Yes, arabs have killed/bombed Israelis. But now we read young Jews killing arabs because "they heard them speaking arabic". I think this is the only place in the world where one must be careful which language to speak when walking in which area and at what time. But there is always the ignorant, wise-guy tourist who will always flirt with death. Just two days ago I saw two Catholic priests/tourists escorting a group of America catholics in our church, wearing Jewish skullcaps and saying "shalom" to everyone they meet .... here, right in the heart of the muslim quarter. Muslim shopkeepers and christians around our area said if these two priests get beaten up by muslim fanatics along the way, they deserve it. Why can't they be proud to be Catholics? Why must they pretend to be Jewish? This is tantamount to apostasy. But christian tourists continue to do it anyway.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/teen-who-stabbed-arab-youth-in-jerusalem-indicted-for-manslaughter-1.346019

This morning our superior celebrated his 25th anniversary of priesthood. There was a solemn Mass at the Maronite chapel; our superior being a Lebanese Maronite. Then the Maronite bishop invited us all to lunch. It was a magnificent feast of simple Lebanese cuisine cooked by Lebanese nuns. A very delightful lunch and company, in a relaxed atmosphere ... with the regional turmoil far from our minds ... at least for that moment. Ad multos annos, Abounah Najib.