Good Friday

Last night was simply awful as my asthma crippled me totally. I couldn't go to Gethsemani for the vigil and adoration as planned. Simply too weak. Prayed for you all in my room though.

Protestants perform the Way of
the Cross

This morning I left early to make the Way of the Cross ... 5am to be exact. But already by 4.30am lots of pilgrims had began making their devotion. Prayed for you all at every Station. The Holy Sepulchre was closed so I finished the Stations outside the courtyard. Also recited Office of Readings and Lauds. On my way home, navigating through the groups of pilgrims at 6am, I managed to enter the 6th Station which was very quiet. Stayed there to pray for you all for some 15 mins. It's the Station of Veronica wiping the face of Jesus. Couldn't stop thinking of this significance - doing good for others, and the words of Pope Francis to serve others humbly. I guess this is mean meaning of this Good Friday - service.

Crowds packing the
1st Station

Back home, I put myself down at the courtyard for some 5 hours to make sure the thousands who came to start the Way of the Cross went smoothly, with no clashes, thefts or quarrels. Firas and Majed were also at hand to keep the order. It was not easy but we managed to steer every group safely without problems till the official Way of the Cross started. The crowds in the street were so many, the devotion was stalled for almost half and hour.

Meantime the air was tense. The soldiers closed the Old City to muslim men under 55 yrs. Streets and City Gates were closed. Soldiers everywhere. It's due to the coincidence of our Good Friday with the Jewish Passover ... and in the light of the violence by muslims for the past 2 weeks, Israeli soldiers were taking no chances. This won't let up till after Easter Sunday when Passover also ends.