Remembrance Day eve

Sunset in Jaffa

It's Sunday and this evening Remembrance day will begin. At 8pm the sirens blared throughout the country and most people stood for one minute's silence. I think the count of soldiers who have been killed since the founding of the State of Israel is 97,000+. The country owes its existence to the tenacity of its army ... and every soldier is respected. Crowds have come to the Wailing Wall where there is a special service to remember the Fallen. Smaller ceremonies are being held throughout the country especially at memorial centers. Tomorrow at 10am another siren will sound for a minute's silence. Many of my jewish security friends have lost at least one friend, relative or comrade to the recent violence and wars. It'll be a sad day for them to remember the Fallen.  But eh way the border with Palestine was already closed yesterday night and will last till Tuesday midnight.

Yesterday I was called to work as sacristan at our Jaffa monastery. Everyone there was out on their chaplaincy work so no one was available to watch the sanctuary and prepare for pilgrims to celebrate Masses at the various altars. I left Jerusalem at 5am but there was a dreadful traffic jam. Managed to reach Jaffa only at 6.30am. Started work at 8am till 5.30pm with 3 Masses booked, and one special tour inside the Crusader section of the monastery by an australian group. There was also another australian group originally from Egypt ... and one of the members left her backpack in out church. I brought it out to the group before they left but everyone said it's not their bag. 3 hours later the guide called to say the bag belongs to someone in his group. So how stupid can tourists be? You can't recognise your own bag when I brought it out to you 3 hours earlier? Well the group lives in Bethlehem and will not come back to Jaffa so I had to carry the bag back to Jerusalem and leave it at St. Saviour's monastery and the guide would pick it up the next morning.

My 4 students who professed
their promise yesterday

Yesterday morning 4 of my students professed their promise to their congregation "Missionaries of Africa" or popularly called "White Fathers" (not because of nationality but because of the white habit they wear). Really proud of them. This morning some of them came to help me with the Armenian Mass at the 3rd Station. The other students - Salesians - will make their profession mid-year. Pray for them.

Schindler's birthday

Mounted police patrol the streets

Friday again ... tense as Israel's National Day approaches. Police presence is markedly stepped up. But likewise the arab presence in the Old City. Being Friday, lots of muslims from around the country came to the Al Aqsa Mosque ... as a non-verbal expression of arab claim over the City even as Israeli flags are being hoisted in every corner, every street lamp, every door.

And things happening around the City and country are not helping to dissipate the tension. Israel is going ahead to occupy land in arab East Jerusalem to build a jewish welcome center. This only ignites arab anger ... who see Israel's National Day as simply land-grabbing.  http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.785546

Tensions at the Israeli-Syrian border is not getting better. After the alleged Israeli bombing of the airport in Damascus, Syria sent a drone into Israel. Israel bombed it out of the sky, then late last night we learn Syrian sent its army to the Golan Heights to the Israeli border. Things are escalating ... all on the eve of Israel's National Day.  http://www.virtualjerusalem.com/news.php?Itemid=25953

As every year since the founding of Israel in 1948, the eve of National Day is always preceded by a census of the nation. Israel today as over 8 million inhabitants. It's a form of stock-checking.  http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-at-69-has-8680000-citizens-43-of-world-jewry/

Not that everyone knows or cares, but today April 28th in 1908 Oskar Schindler was born. He is buried in our Franciscan Cemetery on Mt. Zion.

Strike

Shops on strike

East Jerusalem shops and businesses have gone on strike today. It's a show of support for the Palestinian hunger-strikers in Israeli jails. I don't know about the strike's political usefulness but it certainly was a breath of fresh air ... the streets are finally cleared. Walking down the streets are without hassle, jostling and tourists blocking every 3 meters. Shop keepers of course are not happy but they are forced to join the strike ... or risk having their shops burned by extremists.

It was another hectic day for me. Because of my confusion over Wednesday and Thursday, I had a lot of meetings clashing. 2 meetings with the lawyers plus a meeting with a chaplain in the morning, another meeting with a student in the afternoon, then class and bible conference/adoration and confession with the nuns. When it finishes at 7pm I have to go meet a group from Singapore at the Rosary sisters. It was a very tight day. Just my luck ... the lawyers were busy and cancelled the meetings. The nuns called to say they want to postpone the confession till Saturday. Class was cancelled. Utter confusion. Just didn't know what was happening today. My brains must have gone on strike.

Sunset at Palm Plaza

I only came home at 11pm now. When I first returned to my office in New Gate to keep some books so my backpack is lighter, I heard lots of ambulances and police cars with sirens racing down toward Damascus Gate. I thought there must have been another stabbing ... that means the police will close the City Gates and I will be stuck inside. Panic. I rushed out as fast as I could of New Gate. Thankfully the problem was not in Damascus Gate ... the ambulances and police cars went east toward French Hill area.

Troubling news this afternoon when we learned that Syria and Iran are accusing Israel of bombing the airport in Damascus. This will definitely rise the tensions in the region. Don't know how this will play out as Israel's Independence Day is celebrated next Tuesday. But certainly military presence in the City will be super tight.  http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Syrian-government-Israeli-airstrike-near-Damascus-airport-confirmed-489115

And right now, more troubling news: a Syrian drone flew into Israeli airspace. Israel shot it down.   http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.786119

Midweek

Musrara night
market

April is coming to an end. Time flies. Next Monday is HaZikaron Day (Remembrance Day of the fallen Israeli soldiers) and Tuesday is Hatzmaut Day or Independence Day. There will be the air and sea parade in Jaffa ... and the air parade will also fly over Jerusalem. This morning they were making the practice flights, roaring through the Jerusalem skies making so much noise. Some people were frightened and thought there was a war.

Ramadan will also start early this year ... very early. It starts in the evening of May 26th and ends on June 24th. One good thing is it'll be less hot so early in the year ... unlike the last 2 years which fell on July and August - the hottest months in Israel. Fasting should not be so difficult as before in 35 degree weather.

Life goes on though military presence is stepped up due to the coming 2 Israeli holidays. I think they will close the borders with Palestine again. There was another stabbing this morning I think ... up in the Samaria area. The Musrara night market continues it's routine of selling fresh veggies and fruit. Excellent place to get cheap food. And there're also cooked food hawkers roasting swarms, pitta and felafel and lots of kebabs. You can never go hungry here in Jerusalem. It goes on till very late in the night. Some open all night till next morning.

Kebab hawkers at Musrara

I've been very busy as usual. And for the 3rd time I've mixed up Wednesday for Thursday. Went to the wrong place, thinking there was class. My memory is deteriorating fast. Maybe it's lack of magnesium or potassium which I hardly take because it reacts with my heart medicine. Or maybe I'm simply tired. My asthma is still under control though yesterday I felt an attack coming ... not sure why ... and took a puff of Ventolin which I should avoid.

News just coming in. 3 ISIS saboteurs were killed by a herd of wild boars as they were setting up an ambush. Others were wounded.  http://www.timesofisrael.com/three-islamic-state-fighters-said-killed-by-wild-boars/

Armenian Genocide Memorial

Tea seller at
Damascus Gate

Yesterday was not only Holocaust Memorial Day ... it coincided with the Armenian Genocide memorial as well s the Muslim feast of Isra and Mirej (the ascension of Muhammed to heaven). You can imagine how crowded the Old City was. The Armenian Quarter was paced with armenians and supporters for prayers and a march to commemorate the millions killed by Ottoman Turks a century ago.  I've been wondering why the chinese never commemorate the killing of 21 million chinese by the japanese ... or any other asian country commemorating their dead murdered by the japanese. Are asians so afraid to confront their past? or is it practicality - just moving on ahead?

Thousands of muslims from across the country as well as pilgrims form Turkey and Indonesia flocked to the Al Aqsa Mosque for prayers. The crowd was smaller than in previous years tough ... because the past few days there were a series of stabbings and attacks by muslim youths on jews. I think the checkpoints were controlled with stricter regulations.

There's an article in the local newspaper about the secular jewish world feeling the power and might of the minority ultra-orthodox jewish world. Their secular way of life is being challenged and restricted and coerced by the latter ... and their power should never be under-estimated. Today the ultra-orthodox threatened to withdraw fro the coalition govt. thereby collapsing the govt.  http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.785168   and   http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4953579,00.html

The ultra-orthodox have also irked the rest of Israelis yesterday when while Holocaust Memorial Day was marked with sober and sombre atmosphere, the ultra-orthodox held barbecues and parties. They rejoice at the deaths of the 6 million, saying it's God's punishment. It's always tragic to see such extreme opposing views on such a day.

Blooming date palms

The weather has remained cool all day ... no more than 14 degrees highest. We're wondering how long will this last. The tea-seller came out to Damascus Gate to hawk his tamarind tea dressed in his Ottoman costume ... something the Armenians would not be particularly happy with yesterday. As is usual between Passover and Pentecost, many fruit trees begin to bloom. Grapes, olives and date palms are profusely in flower because the heatwave the last few days made them speed up the pollination process.

Holocaust Memorial Day

"Paschal Lamb" at our dining room

Today marks Holocaust Memorial Day where 6 million jews were exterminated by the Nazis. It's a horrific crime of human evil to kill someone out of hatred for race, language or religion. And don't forget that besides the 6 million jews, 5 million others were also killed: gypsies, Poles and other slavs, LGBT people, physical and mentally handicap persons, africans, Jehovah Witnesses, Protestants and Catholics. We have  Maximillian Kolbe, Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein), Titus Brandsma, Bernhard Lichtenberg, Johannes Prassek and countless other priests and nuns who resisted the Nazis and were executed. At 10am sirens sounded throughout the country and people stopped for 2 minutes silence. This is the least we can do for the dead. "Never Again" is the call ... but will the world ever learn? ISIS continues to slaughter christians and other minorities today ... and this is just the tip of the iceberg.  http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/WATCH-Israel-comes-to-a-halt-as-sirens-mark-Holocaust-Remembrance-Day-488802

During this period of Easter, it's our tradition to bake "paschal lambs" - made of marzipan and almond paste. All our monasteries do this ... and the lamb is eaten bit by bit during the course of our meals during the Easter season. It's a good reminder for us today of our martyrs who were killed in the Holocaust but also in the Middle East ... that death leads to the Resurrection. Well I don't eat the paschal lamb because it's got almonds and I'm allergic to it.

Ironically here in this country where jews find safe haven from such monstrous evil, hatred and hate acts are also perpetrated by themselves. The Israeli Secret Service has arrested several jews including soldiers who have attacked arabs and other minorities.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4952528,00.html  and  http://www.timesofisrael.com/6-israelis-including-2-soldiers-charged-with-attacking-arabs/   They were supposedly perpetrated to stop jewish girls fraternalising with arab boys ... well just read this blog and you'll understand the tension between love, race and religion in a tongue and cheek way    http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/an-arab-asked-me-if-he-could-use-my-sunscreen/

Cloudy gloomy skies on
Holocaust Day

Likewise yesterday saw an arab stabbing and wounding 4 people in a Tel Aviv hotel area, and this morning an arab girl wounding a soldier at Qalandya checkpoint. And while I just arrived home at our doorway, my security friends standing there told me they were receiving news that a man was seen walking with a knife just 30 meters from me. He was arrested immediately.

The temp. continues to hover around 14 degrees today despite the sun shining brightly behind dark clouds. It's cold especially when the wind blows. It's Holocaust Day weather.

Divine Mercy Sunday

Gloomy grey sky at only 15 degrees

It's Divine Mercy Sunday today and our sisters, the Faustian nuns, are celebrating it in a big way. Right now at the Basilica of Gethsemane, the Archbishop is presiding a solemn Mass for the diocese and our sisters have organised it all.

The weather has made a U-turn ... dropping to 15 degrees now. Yesterday it was double that ... 31 degrees. Jumpers and hoodies are out again. The weather is crazy ... that's what everyone is saying. Many people are coughing and sniffling ... and still others severely sick.

Booza Rukeb

Well yesterday's heatwave meant that the ice-cream seller had good business. The guy who walks around the Old City selling Booza Rukeb certainly did. Booza Rukeb is a local arabic ice-cream made by the Rukeb family decades ago ... and sold by hawkers carrying the ice-cream in boxes. Booza in arabic means ice-cream. Since then many other people have manufactures this ice-cream in the name of Rukeb. Like days of old, the hawker ring a bell and shout "Booza Rukeb" and people come out of their houses to buy it. After 2 decades living here, yesterday I finally had a taste of it. Not especially creamy but it had a dose of rose water which made it very fragrant. Not bad in a heatwave ... but I won't say it's my favourite.

News is that Gaza society is on the verge of collapse as the corrupt Hamas administration has siphoned off all the money to fund its own interests, leaving the Strip without electricity, water and other essential amenities. As usual, when the people become dissatisfied with Hamas, Hamas will pick a war with Israel to distract attention.  http://www.timesofisrael.com/gaza-hospitals-on-verge-of-blackout-amid-energy-crisis/

Let' hope this Divine Mercy Sunday will bring some mercy and hope to our land.

Hamsiin sandstorm

Flowers planted under the palms 

It was extremely hot today ... 31 degrees during the day. And a hamsiin wind was blowing ... the southerly desert wind which is hot, dry and full of sand. Our terrace was covered with very fine sand. The "hamsiin" in hebrew and arabic means "50" or in greek "pentecost". That explains the strong wind blowing on Pentecost Day which signalled the coming of the Holy Spirit. The weather stations say it's unusual for April. Well for one thing the beaches have been packed with people ... and the shops along the shore are doing great business especially the food and beverage places.   http://www.jpost.com/Not-Just-News/As-the-temperatures-climb-Israelis-across-the-country-flock-to-the-beach-488645

Beautiful flowers at the plaza

The flowers planted under the palms at Palm Plaza have begun to bloom. They come in all colours and are delightful. But the hamsiin today must have scorched many. And there were many others that have been vandalised by local arabs. They cannot leave anything in peace ... once the plants were planted a month ago, overnight many were pulled out, trampled or thrown into a nearby pool. For no reason at all. It's a terrible culture or lack of it ... seething with senseless aggression.

And an example of this aggression is the attack by jewish settlers on arab property yesterday. This violence is seen on both sides of the political, racial and religious divide.  Palestinians were assaulted.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4952161,00.html

These attacks have become so frequent and violent that Israeli soldiers have now need to accompany arab children to school to prevent violence by jewish settlers. Usually its the other way round with Israeli soldiers accompanying jewish pupils.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4951878,00.html

One reason, perhaps the most significant, that contributes to this culture of violence and intolerance is the education system. Students are taught to hate on others in the school textbooks. And this takes place on both sides of the border.   http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.784788

Well the heatwave certainly is an indication of the political, racial and religious tensions in this country.

Friday again

Makloubeh for lunch

The past few days have been very busy. Rushing from one place to another ... the workload that had piled up during the Easter holidays had to be dealt with immediately. Though classes in the universities have not yet resumed, other things like visiting and giving conferences to tour groups and increased significantly this week because after Easter/Passover, the hotels are cheaper so tourists take advantage of this period.

On Tuesday the President of Israel came to our Latin Patriarchate to meet with the Apostolic Administrator, the Greek and Armenian Patriarchs as well, to send his Easter greetings to the christian community in the Holy Land. This cordial exchange is seen as a great improvement in the relationship between the Jewish State and the Christian communities. It's nice to be able to talk and dialogue. But unfortunately not everyone shares the same sentiments. There were orthodox jews spitting and cursing christians during the Easter celebrations. If it were christians doing to jews on the Passover, they would have been arrested for anti-semitism.  http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/President-Rivlin-Plight-of-Christians-in-Middle-East-stain-on-humanity-488346

The attack on the desert monastery of St. Catherine in the Sinai Peninsular by ISIS 2 days ago has horrified us all. We knew ISIS was heading south of the peninsular but did not realize how fast they could do it. Obviously they are working through the bedouin tribes that are lawlessly controlling the peninsular. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4950734,00.html

Traditional Easter bread (leaven)
with an egg ... definitely not kosher

The Jewish Passover is over ... and there's still talk about how extreme the observance has been ... to the extant that even zoo animals had to eat unleaven food. We on the other hand had delicious makloubeh yesterday for lunch. It's rice cooked in chicken stock with chicken at the bottom of the rice pot ... but our cook did a vegetarian version of it.  Lots of brinjal, cauliflower and carrots. That's certainly not kosher for Passover ...  http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/editorial/1.783933

On a sad note as we celebrate Easter, an Iraqi Bishop criticized the West for caring more for animals than for Middle-Eastern christians. And I must say I agree with him. We are abandoned here. http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/iraqi-orthodox-bishop-the-west-cares-more-about-frogs-than-us

I think though the new asthma medication has been very successful at containing my asthma, the side-effects are now showing. Yesterday the veins on my left hand burst. My thumb and fore-finger were swollen and purple. This is usually the first sign that the cortisone is too strong. Soon my feet will swell. I hate it ... but if I don't take the medication, I'll die of asthma (or a heart attack that the asthma induces, as the doc always says).

Emmaus Monday

The linen cloth is left in the
Empty Tomb on Easter Sunday

Today we celebrate the Emmaus event - when the 2 disciples met the Risen Christ on their way to Emma's. All the friars and many other religious and local laity went there ... which is quite a hassle because the village of Emmaus today is surrounded by a jewish settlement of Pisgat Zeev. There is a security fence and military guards around the village which appears like a prison. There are no more christians left in Emmaus except for the dozen nuns in 3 convents and the 2 franciscan friars who care for the church. Anyway entry to the village has to be approved by the military - name by name - and then as you pass through the checkpoint, your passport is checked with the police namelist. As is the norm, the Custody hired 3 buses to bring in the registered friars and some exceptional guests such as our chinese sisters because they have never been to Emma's and probably never will, if they are not accompanied by the friars.

Custos distributing bread
in Emmaus

There was a solemn Mass at the Cathedral of Emmaus presided by the Custos in his juridical right as an ordinary - meaning as bishop, so he wears a more and ring and carries a pastoral staff - even though he's not a consecrated bishop. And at the end of Mass he distributes bread to everyone as a commemoration of Christ breaking bread with the 2 disciples in Emmaus.

Last night the chinese sisters cooked dinner for us chinese religious to celebrate Easter. Only Johannes, Matthias and I managed to go. Philip the Salesian was busy studying for exams so he couldn't make it. Exams immediately after Easter. Awful how school semesters are organised. Anyway the sisters made dumplings and noodles and veggies. Always nice to eat hot food. And we got to take away as well.

Last night was also the beginning of the 8th day of the Jewish Passover. Shops and restaurants have remained closed the whole day if not the whole week since no leaven may be sold, eaten or even be present. A law was passed for Jerusalem where no leaven may be sold even by non-jews. Arab bread sellers were arrested, fined and their bread burnt because of this. Well sunset this evening ends the Passover so finally we can eat normal again in the streets and City.

One bit of awful news is that thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are going on hunger strike. It happened 17 years ago and it precipitated the 2nd Intifada.   http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Hundreds-of-Palestinians-expected-to-participate-in-hunger-strike-Monday-488144

Meantime the Israeli army is preparing for a summer war ... be it Hamas in the south or Hezbollah in the north. This is so unsettling but not unexpected.  http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Israel-must-be-prepared-for-a-confrontation-with-Hamas-in-the-coming-summer-488111

On a happy note, there are israeli volunteers who go out to protect arab farmland from israeli settlers' attacks. It's good to know that there is a conscience somewhere in the darkness ....   http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.783352

Easter Sunday

Ethiopic christians
waiting at 5am in
a street corner to
enter a main street
leading to the
Holy Sepulchre

The sun rose bright and early this morning. Orthodox christians continue to crowd the streets of the Old City, trying to enter the Holy Sepulchre basilica but police continue to block all streets leading to it. They control the number of crowds entering the streets and basilica so that a deadly crush can be avoided. It's a good and real reason but the christians waiting for hours at street corners think it's unjust. But luckily being Easter Sunday, they are allowed to break the Lenten fast and eat ... so they are stronger and more active than last week. In fact last night on my way home from Tel Aviv, I went to the market at Musrara to buy some milk and along the road there were many ethiopic christians buying kebabs from arab hawkers, eating their first full meal in 40 days. They take the Lenten fast very seriously.

I slept relatively well last night despite my injured right knee. Twisted it also night during the 2 and a half hour liturgy. Have been limping this morning when I walked 2 kms uphill to the Rosary Sisters convent. I was invited by the filipino community of that chapel to concelebrate the Easter Mass with the Salesian fathers. Last night I did not want to go but this morning I decided to go. Easter Sunday just doesn't feel right if you don't celebrate the morning Mass. It was a small congregation of some 50 people, mostly filipinas but also a dozen expats. There were 7 salesian fathers and many salesian seminarians to help out. All in all it's nice to celebrate Easter Sunday with a community.

The Ap. Admin. blesses the crowd
with the Gospel

In the Holy Sepulchre there was solemn Mass by the Apostolic Administrator. It had to take place at 10am because the Greek and Armenian Orthodox had their liturgies earlier in the morning. Tomorrow the Custos of the Holy Land will preside Mass at Emmaus. The Mass usually ends with the Custos blessing bread and giving them to the people. The gesture is to recall the event at Emma's when the 2 disciples' eyes were opened and they recognised Jesus when he broke the bread for them.

Holy Saturday

Priests and prelates around the Stone
of the Unction 

Christ is Risen! Christos anesti!! That's the greek greeting for Easter but it's said by everyone even if you're not greek. It's Holy Sepulchre and here in the Holy Land the Easter Vigil is celebrated in the morning. Fire is blessed in front of the Stone of the Unction and then the Paschal Candle is lit and brought in front of the Empty Tomb. It's a beautiful liturgy especially when you realise it all happened right here ... in the Empty Tomb 2000 years ago. You can't get as real as that.

The Archbishop with the Gospel and
the Paschal Candle in front of the
Empty Tomb

Roads were closed inside the Old City as early as 5am ... that is, roads leading to the Holy Sepulchre. Hundreds of Ethiopians and Copts were waiting at the barriers at Damascus Gate to enter the Old City, while Catholics waited at New Gate. Many were turned away by the police because the Holy Sepulchre cannot host so many people. I however was going the opposite direction ... out of the City and the police allowed that. I had to go to Jaffa because I had to help with the Indian (Konkani) Mass. A capuchin priest was invited from India to preach the Masses and services throughout Lent and Holy Week. Today Fr Joce and I helped though both of us don't speak konkani. Joe is Tamil and belongs to the Betarram congregation. 7 seminarians from the Salesians were asked to come and help with communion. There were 3000 indians gathered at the indoor stadium in Tel Aviv for this Easter Vigil. The Mass took over 2 and a half hours .... communion itself took 15 minutes. But it was very fulfilling to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ with a community.

Over 2000 indians came for the
Easter Vigil

I was exhausted at the end of the Mass ... and I had hurt my right knee twice during the Mass. After Mass, Charlotte one of the parishioners I know well for many years brought dinner for us priests and seminarians. It was very good ... chicken nasi biryani. Charlotte is a good cook and I like her lamb curry most. Then I still had to return to Jaffa to gather my backpack and then went home by shurut (minibus) which I dislike but I had no choice as there was no other transport available. It was very uncomfortable and there was an ethiopic baby crying all the way.

Anyway it's Easter. Christos anesti! Let's pray that the Resurrected Christ will triumph in Syria and Iraq and Yemen and Egypt. May the christians there no longer suffer persecution.

Good Friday

Murder in this train at noon

Just as the Way of the Cross ended this afternoon, there was a stabbing inside the Light Rail directly in front of New Gate - the City Gate that leads into the Christian Quarter. The Gate was closed immediately by the police and the main road outside was closed all the way down to Damascus Gate. The lady victim died and 2 others were wounded. The arab assailant was arrested. It's said that he's mentally unstable. I was just there at New Gate going home when it happened. Shocking.

Herodian Tomb
with rolling stone

Our house was in utter chaos as groups began making the Way of the Cross since 5am. Police began closing the street by 9am as the crowds became too large and uncontrollable. I hate it. The people behave like monsters, screaming, shouting, eating and putting food on the altar .... they even have fist-fights as to which group gets to make the Way of the Cross first. Well 90% of this chaos comes from the orthodox christians - the copts and slavs.

To avoid this ugly situation every year, I take a 6 km pilgrimage: first to the Herodian Tombs, then to the Mt. of Evil Counsel and finally to Bible Hill. The Herodian Tombs date back to the time of Christ, with rolling stones covering the entrances. It's quite a large complex and because of it's size, people think it was used to bury the royal family of King Herod. I always come here as my 1st stop to read the Passion of Christ from Mark's Gospel. It's 2 kms from my house. Then I walk 1km further south to the hill where tradition says Judas met the Chief Priests to discuss how to betray Jesus and receive the 30 pieces of silver. The place is hence named Mt. of Evil Counsel. Today the wind was very very strong so I did not stay there for long. It was cold too. Finally I walk back to Ketef Hinnom or Bible Hill where beautiful Spring flowers are blooming and ... hidden behind some buildings is a series of burial caves dating back to the 7th century BC. There in one of the caves the oldest biblical verse was found inscribed on a silver amulet ... the Blessing of Aaron. The wind was really too strong there and I was almost blown down several times so decided to walk back to my office. There was no way I could go home because the streets are all closed by the police due to the huge number of christians, compounded by the crowds of Muslims coming to pray on Friday.

Passion of Christ celebrated at the
Lithostrotos or Ecce Homo

At 3pm I went to Ecce Homo convent to join in the Passion of Christ. It was held down at the Lithostrotos and it was very crowded. Here tradition says Jesus was brought to the Stone Pavement "Lithostrotos" and judged by Pilate who declared to the Jews "Ecce Homo" (Behold the Man) after scourging Jesus. Despite the crowd and very cramped space and poor audio system, the sisters of Ecce Homo organised it very well and there were no awkward moments.

Tonight at 8pm there will be the funeral service in the Holy Sepulchre where the image of Christ will be taken down from the Cross on Mt. Calvary, anointed with perfumed oils, wrapped in a linen cloth and placed inside the Tomb. It will then be sealed till tomorrow when the Easter Vigil is celebrated n the morning.

Maundy Thursday

The Archbishop receives the chrism

There was no Mass for us this morning. We only had Lauds. Then most of us went to the Holy Sepulchre for the Chrism Mass and of the Last Supper. Both Masses are celebrated as one in the Holy Sepulchre. All the prelates were there with seminarians from both the Patriarchate and Custody serving. The Holy Sepulchre was packed with people ... local catholics as well as religious. The scene was spectacular. Without a patriarch, the diocese is led by an Apostolic Administrator who was previously the Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land. A very impressive liturgy where the 3 jars of olive oil were blessed and the Archbishop washing the feet of 12 seminarians.

Procession around the
Empty Tomb 

It was a very long liturgy ... almost 3 hours. Almost the entire liturgy was sung. And thanks to my student, a salesian seminarian, we have some very beautiful photos of the liturgy. After the Mass there was the traditional procession around the Empty Tomb ... 3 times. You have to be here in order to see how awesome this liturgy is.

I of course didn't go. I can't stay for a 3 hour liturgy because of my IBS and asthma (though I haven't had a attack for a month now since my medication was changed). The other guys who participated came home for lunch exhausted. Several had to go to bed to rest.

Right now there is the washing of feet ceremony at the Last Supper Room by the Custos of the Holy Land. Then a procession to the Armenian Orthodox Basilica of St. James where the friars were hosted when they were ousted from the Last Supper Room 500 years ago; and then a visit to the Syrian Orthodox church of St. Mark where the syrians believe is the room of the Last Supper.

This evening till midnight there will be a prayer vigil at the Garden of Gethsemane. After midnight there will be a procession from Gethsemane to the Church of St. Peter Gallicantu. It's a candle light procession down and up the Kidron Valley.

Jewish priests blessing the people

Meantime this morning at the Wailing Wall the jewish priests gave the blessing of Aaron en masse. there were over 80,000 people in attendance. Security was super tight throughout the Old City and helicopters were flying overhead all morning till the crowds dispersed. The priests cover themselves with their prayer shawls and raise their hands in blessing while chanting the blessing of Aaron on all Israel.

Tomorrow will be full day fasting and the streets will be packed with people for the Way of the Cross. I'll stay home. It's safest.

Holy Wednesday

Metal barriers arrive at New Gate

The day remains quiet like yesterday ... no major christian celebrations till tomorrow. But it's the 2nd day of the Jewish Passover and the streets are getting a little more busy though officially the jews are not allowed to work till tomorrow. I see the Light Rail is in operation but many offices are still closed. Tomorrow is the Priestly Blessing at the Wailing Wall and police are expecting 100,000 people to participate. Roads and City Gates will be closed to traffic. In fact yesterday the metal barriers were already transported to several City Gates and I believe the blockades will start tonight. Those of us living inside the Old City can go out but may not re-enter. Those from outside the Old City may not enter until the blockades are removed. However they would be replaced within hours because it will be Holy Thursday and thousands will be coming into the Holy Sepulcher. The Catholics will have the Chrism Mass and the Lord's Supper celebrated together while the Orthodox will have the Washing of Feet in the courtyard of the Holy Sepulcher. From any which way you come to the Holy Sepulcher there would be at least 5 blockades to overcome.

Maamoul - traditional cookies
for Easter

Locally christians are still reeling over the double bombing of Coptic Churches in Egypt killing 41 christians. No one feels safe here. ISIS is on our northern and southern borders. Even here in Jerusalem, the Israeli police are watching out for extremists who will disrupt our Paschal celebrations. Meantime Christine who works in our museum made some maamoul - cookies that recall the Passion of Christ. That's the traditional cookies christians here bake and eat for Easter. The round ones represent the sponge dipped in vinegar for Christ to drink. The doughnut shaped ones represent the crown of thorns. There are also oval shaped ones to represent the spear that pierced the side of Christ. Inside these cookies are dates ... sometimes with nuts but I'm allergic to that so they only give me those with dates. Very yummy.

Today is Holy Wednesday. According to Mark's Gospel, the woman at Bethany anointed Jesus' feet while Jesus was eating at the house of Simon the Leper. Judas  remarked that the money used to buy such expensive ointment should have been given to the poor and Jesus answered "You will always have the poor with you". Judas then goes out to the High Priest to discuss how he would betray Jesus.

Holy Tuesday

Black petunias for
Holy Week

On Holy Tuesday, according to Mark's Gospel, Jesus faced off the Pharisees, Scribes and Chief Priests in the Temple. It was pretty heated ... and that determined his death. Read Mark 12 and 13. We have no special liturgies today in Jerusalem ... but we're all waiting for Holy Thursday when the Triduum begins. It will be chaotic in the Holy Sepulcher because the Orthodox Churches also celebrate Holy Thursday. The Basilica will be packed. But the Armenian Orthodox had a solemn liturgy in the courtyard of the Holy Sepulcher. I saw a video of it just now.

Yesterday's trip to Nablus exhausted me and I rested for most of the evening. Simply have no energy to work anymore. I missed the evening Palm procession from Notre Dame to the New Gate. It's organized by Christians of the Old City and the procession goes around the Christian Quarter.

By the way, National Geographic will be broadcasting the repairs and opening of the Tomb of Christ today. I guess if you have satellite TV you can watch it on Nat Geo channel. Here we'll have to wait till it's on Youtube.

Pitcher plants for sale

Several days back I passed through the Zahara neighborhood which is outside Herod's Gate. At a flower / pet shop, I saw a pot of black petunias. It's the first time I've ever seen one. Thought it was appropriate for Good Friday. The shop also had South-East Asian pitcher plants. I wonder how long they'll survive because they need humid atmosphere. The dry summers here will kill them.

The weather has been hot ... like typical summer. In the afternoons it goes up to 22 degrees. But locals still wear hoodies and jackets because in just a few minutes the weather can change drastically and the cold hits you. I'm trying to stay safe so I carry a thick jacket in my backpack always.

The ISIS threat in the Sinai Peninsula and Cairo is so great, Israel yesterday c;osed it's borders with Egypt. And Egypt called all Israelis and christian tourists in Egypt to leave the country as soon as possible as there is a real and imminent threat to their lives. Christian in the Middle East live and carry the Cross. Holy Week is not a devotional exercise but a fact that leads to death.

Holy Monday

Mass at the 5th Station of the Cross

As is tradition, Holy Monday sees the opening of the 5th Station of the Cross for Masses. It's the only day in the week when Mass is allowed in there. Every half hour from 6am to 8am, Masses are celebrated by the friars from the Flagellation Monastery. The 1st Mass was in German, the 2nd was in Malayalam, the 3rd was in spanish. I joined the Malayalam Mass as I needed to finish Mass early. There were, besides 8 Malayalam catholics, arab sisters, german sisters and a western couple. It's very nice Frs. Biru and Paul allowed me to join them. They're very dedicated to serving the Indian community here in the Holy Land while busy writing their doctoral theses. Anyway I prayed for you all there.

As soon as Mass ended, I had to go to Nablus in Samaria. It's far ... it takes one and a half hours by car to reach the city. Because it's in the Palestinian Territories, you need to pass the checkpoint and there's nothing certain about passing by there because the traffic jam could be awful and in times of tension, there would be riots as well. This evening the Jewish Passover begins and all checkpoints will be closed and I don't want to be stuck inside the Territories for one week so I had to return to Jerusalem as soon as I could. I had to go to the convent of M. Teresa's sisters for Mass, confessions and a Bible talk.

Samaritan sacrifical pits and wood

After the talk and Mass, I went to Mt. Gerizim to see the preparations of the Samaritan Passover, which coincides with the Jewish Passover this year. Lots of Samaritans living in Holon near Tel Aviv had returned for the celebrations. The streets were filled with Samaritans in festive clothes but the older generation of men were in traditional cloaks and hats. The sacrificial area was ready with wood for burning to cook the lambs, the pits were cleaned out and chairs were ready to be placed for the crowds. Unfortunately I couldn't wait for the sacrifice which takes place at 7pm because the checkpoints would have closed. I came home as soon as I could.

Palm Sunday

Archbishop Pizzaballa leading the
prelates into Jerusalem

The Palm Procession just ended and I managed to take many photos to show you. But before that we must denounce strongly at the murder of Coptic christians in 2 churches in Egypt this morning. Those cowardly islamist extremists try to destroy christianity in its cradle but they forget the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Faith. The Cross will triumph. It has and it will.

Fr. Agustin with his little franciscans

The crowds participating in the Palm Procession from Bethfage into Jerusalem were a lot larger than previous years. Many protestants joined in. And Coptic christians outnumbered Greek Orthodox and Ethiopic Orthodox in joining our procession. It started at 2pm and ended past 6pm ... a 4 hour walk over 2 kms.

Large crowds this year

The christians were loud and proud ... It is one day when they can openly celebrate their Faith. The statement was clear. This year Jewish extremists were kept away by the police ... in the previous year jews disrupted the procession and cursed and spat at christians. This year several muslim boys sitter above the entrance into Lions Gate were shouting Hosanna and the christians walking passed below shouted back Hosanna.

Dragomans in traditional costume
lead the procession

But lest all this joy is overwhelming ... we must remember that it only leads to Mt. Calvary, the Cross and Death. Christians in Syria, Iraq and Egypt continue to suffer persecution ... They live the Way of the Cross. They pay with their lives. Between Hosanna and Alleluia there is the Cross. Don't forget the christians in the Middle East while you're celebrating Holy Week in the comfort of your church.

Ethiopic christian
wearing a palm cross

Lazarus Saturday

Fr. Carlos presiding Mass in the Tomb

According to Orthodox Christian tradition, today is the day when Jesus brought Lazarus back to life. The faithful are all gathering in Bethany ... the house of Martha, Mary and Lazarus and his tomb called the "Lazarion" to celebrate the event. In fact the arabic name of Bethany is "El Lazariya". Tomorrow all the Churches - catholic, orthodox and protestant - will make the Palm procession from Bethfage down to the Old City through Lions Gate. Police have already made arrangements for the closure of roads and city quarters. I can't imagine the chaos that will result.

This morning I had the monthly Mass inside the Empty Tomb with the Block Rosary Group form Jaffa. However since the superior of Jaffa, Fr. Carlos, had come along, I asked him to preside instead. It's not always that he comes to Jerusalem, much less celebrate Mass inside the Empty Tomb. I remembered you all a Mass there.

Yesterday some extremist Jews slaughtered a lamb very near the Wailing Wall as a "practice" if in case the Jewish Temple be rebuilt in the near future. Very provocative because it's prohibited by normative Judaism ... the Courts have prohibited it and the muslims are certainly not happy with it.   http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.782280

Ultra-Orthodox jews on the other hand are continuing their countrywide protest against compulsory military service. They will extend the protest to the airport. That will disrupt the Jewish Passover travellers. The police lately have staked out undercover agents dressed as soldiers into the ultra-orthodox neighbourhoods where aggressive trouble-makers attacked the agents and other police swopped in to arrest them.   http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4946360,00.html

Banners in the
Christian Quarter

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and as the Catholic and Orthodox calendars coincide, the route of the Palm procession will be packed with people. I certainly don't have the energy to walk the distance. And with the crowds ... I think I'll just stay at home. The streets in the Christian Quarter are now festooned with buntings and banners. Flower shops are selling beautifully plaited palm branches. A large branch would cost US$40 or more. I won't buy one as I won't be at the procession. Yesterday the son of one of our parishioners met me on my way to work and he gave me a leave from his branch ... he was going home with his parents and his father had bought a very large palm ... over a meter and a half tall.

Marathon work

Strong desert storm

I can definitely say yesterday was my record workday ... being a full 48 hours of non-stop work. Never again. People keep coming with emergency requests (actually no one really dies if the work is not done) but I had to run (metaphorically speaking as I can't run) some 5 kms up and down the Old and New Cities.

There was a chinese guide book that "had to" be edited in 24 hours ... and believe the mistakes were titanic in proportion. I worked through 3 drafts and had to go to the Salesian House for the final draft correction. Then there were groups to attend to. Then there were last minute theses to correct because some students wait to the last 24 hours before dateline to start writing it. I corrected a thesis till 2am last night ... horrendous english ... I practically had to rewrite the entire thesis. Between 2am to 5am I had to write a homily for a solemn mass at 8am (I ghost write homilies) but my brain was so dead by then I came up with nothing and had to apologies to the prelate at 5.30am. Hope he had some emergency homily available. Then there were confessions to hear, talks to present etc...

So today I am beyond hope ... I am utterly utterly exhausted. It's just as well that I stay home today because there's a sandstorm blowing since yesterday. Sand everywhere. Not good for my heath. But that doesn't mean I have no work. I still have library and correction work but on a smaller scale. The staff told me to go take the weekend off but that's impossible.

Surprise from M. Teresa's sisters

However in the midst of the most hectic 2 days ever, there was a nice surprise. The Sisters of M. Teresa prepared a little surprise for me: a board celebrating my birthday, singing songs and prayers. No food ... it's Lent. The sisters fast everyday.

The 2nd chemical attack in Syria has crossed every warped conscience in this world. How can it possibly happen ... and how can the rest of the world do nothing about it? Locally the jews say it can and it has ... when Jews were murdered in the Holocaust. Now Israelis are at the forefront in this war with medical aid. They know what it is to be persecuted.

Half day off

The gas attack in Syria yesterday has left us all appalled and outraged. How in this modern age can these dastardly acts continue without impunity ... or the world community can stand by offering lip-service? I tell you what I know ... I know that the victims have lost all hope in the world community, in world morality, in world conscience. They are on their own to survive.

Toffee sponge cake

The videos and news reports have dampened a lot my birthday yesterday. Not that there was a celebration or anything ... but it weighed very heavily on the heart. No one here remembered my birthday ... except for the staff in my library. The janitor lady Magdulin bought a toffee sponge cake to celebrate with the other 2 staff. It was a nice gesture but the cake was too big. I brought the remaining half to the sisters of M. Teresa.

Char Kway Teow

In the afternoon both library staffs told me to take the afternoon off and they will care for its running. They thought I needed a halfday break ... which I did. I wanted to go take a walk by the sea in Jaffa but the traffic was bad. I reached there only at 3.30pm ... so there was not much time for the "rest of the afternoon". After an hour's walk, I reached Thai House ... the best Thai restaurant in the country. I have not been there for over 2 years ... as the manager reminded me. I had my favorite dishes for an early dinner: tom yam soup and char kway teow. It was so good. And for the record, I paid for it with the money I earned teaching english.

After that I walked the whole 4 kms along the beach back to our monastery in Jaffa, said hi to the community, then came back home. Luckily there was no traffic jam.

Stromata

Funny poster for
patient husbands

With my failing memory, I went to school yesterday afternoon only to find out there was no class because exams have started. My memory is appalling. Anyway that gave me the chance to go to the bank ... another branch 1km away ... that I was directed by the head office earlier that morning. Waited my turn for almost an hour, then was told I had to go to another department. Luckily that department had no one and the kind american lady helped me through the whole process. She was very patient as there were lots of papers to check. In all some 40 mins was required.

On the way home I passed by a Judaica shop in the Mall. it had a very funny poster on its window: free wifi for patient husbands while their wives shopped. That really helped lighten the mood.

The ultra-orthodox have continued their protests in the streets, blocking major traffic ways. They still demand no compulsory military service for their male followers.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4944689,00.html

The ultra-orthodox hatred for military service was expressed in their neighborhood several days ago when a soldier went into one of their shops. He was surrounded and attacked by the ultra-orthodox and had to be saved by police.  http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.780989

The leftwing newspaper carried an article on the jewish settlement program inside Palestine ... "occupation" as they call it ... It offers a different viewpoint.  http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.781093

Extremist jews have been carrying out the slaughter of a lamb near the Temple Mount (Al Aqsa Mosque) for the past several years as a practice run for the day when they build the 3rd Temple (after destroying the Mosque of course). This year the police have banned them as it has become too provocative.  http://www.timesofisrael.com/court-blocks-activists-from-sacrificing-sheep-near-temple-mount/

Warm nights

The weather is warming up ... and it feels nice like summer. I noticed many of the Spring vegetables are no longer on sale in the markets ... like chives and mint. Now the herbs of summer are on sale especially zatar (oregano) and artichokes. We're expecting a very hot and dry summer ... and the drought will be bad. And we're also expecting trouble from Lebanon and Gaza. Well militarily the country is prepared for the latter. But the drought ... that is beyond anyone's control. We'll just have to save on water and use less electricity. But that's difficult because the hotter it gets, the more people want to use air-conditioners ... and that uses up a lot of electricity and produces more heat in the atmosphere. What a disaster.