Last night I missed Sunday Lent Vigils at the Holy Sepulchre. Was too tired and overslept. But when I woke up at 1.30am Vigils was already over so I decided instead to celebrate Mass at the Holy Sepulchre at 4.30am. It was a quiet cold walk uphill. Remembered you all during Mass.
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The Empty Tomb
this morning |
After Mass I walked home, once again through the dark cold streets until I passed my friend's house. There were soldiers at the door. The house lights were on. It was 5am. I was afraid - that they came to arrest him. 4 soldiers were at the door and as I passed by, they wanted to ask me questions but decided not to. I stood at a distance to see what happened. After some 15 mins, another 5 or 6 soldiers and plainsclothes people came out with my friend's 18 yr old brother. He was only dressed in a singlet and track-pants, handcuffed and brought out to Damascus Gate. It was cold - 8 degrees or so. Later I heard from the streets that it had something to do with the Mosque riot on Friday.
I felt sad. Sad for my friend and his family; but sad also for the Israelis who need to protect themselves with such hardhanded ways. I felt sad for this country, these two races, these two religions ... for this whole situation.
It may be Laetare Sunday - Sunday of Joy in Lent - today ... but I didn't feel any joy.
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