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