Last day of 2018

Streaky clouds on the last day

It's the last day of 2018 ... the year went pretty fast. I had hardly completed any of the projects for 2018. Well it leaves 2019 a lot to be done and completed.

The sky this morning splashed streaks of white clouds from east to west. Quite a show. Rather dramatic to end the year. The weather remains overcast and cold. No higher than 9 degrees in the afternoon. There was quite a drizzle in the early morning but it dried out by 9am. It's a holiday mood anyway ... everyone just doing holiday stuff like eating and watching videos.

The new Coffee Bean cafe

Being the last day of the year, we have the traditional Holy Hour with benediction plus singing of the Te Deum. However with only a skeleton crew at home and sacristan sisters new to the job, I'll have to do everything ... printing out the song sheets, preparing the incense and monstrance .... not a tranquil moment on the last day of the year.
One good piece of news though ... the Coffee Bean cafe which was closed for almost 8 months has now finally reopened. People have been waiting ... and now everyone is giving it a try. I'd like to go there one day soon ... and have sahlab. It's winter after all.

Well its back to work in the sacristy and getting the last night of 2018 ready. Tomorrow we have a recollection day. Sure hope it'll be nice an quiet ... and the weather holds up ... at least for the first day of 2019.

Holy Family feast

Storm clouds over the Park

It's the feast of the Holy Family today .... and this week it's my turn to be hebdom. My team for hebdom is not quite working out ... one is still on vacation in Italy and the other is reluctant to do his duties. So me with a hoarse voice and coughing spasm had to preside the Mass this morning. Everyone wanted an english Mass so I had to organise the books and hymns. And I had to preach the homily as well. As usual it was short and to the point ... in 12 sentences. And with the gloria and creed and intercessions and hymns, I still managed to finish the Mass in 35 mins. I can understand why now so many of us were happy about the Mass.

Tourists in the rain

The rains fell this morning but stopped at midmorning. At 3pm I went to the supermarket to get some necessities ... and actually to get fresh air as I was in my room for 2 days. I was developing a headache. Unfortunately a little after 4pm the rains fell quite heavily and I was quite wet as I walked quickly home. The roads are very slippery and I was afraid of falling. The remaining tourists who have come for Christmas and still filling the streets but caught in the rain. Most tourists have already returned to their countries for the New Year. And the rains are very discouraging ... and the sun sets at 4pm and tourist sites close early ... so tourism sinks to a standstill in January and February every year. The snow has fallen in the Golan Heights and will probably continue for the next few weeks. Today's noon temp. was only 9 degrees so you get the idea how cold it is.

In a headlines news, the govt is cracking down on Israeli terrorists ... those who attack arabs and non-jews and destroy their properties. In a way it's a PR campaign to pacify the growing antisemitism in Europe and America. It's honesty and sincerity will be judged in the outcome of these arrests ... if the Israeli court will really charge and incarcerate these criminals. Several of churches and cemeteries have been burnt, destroyed and vandalised and no one has ever been charged.  https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5437107,00.html?fbclid=IwAR3w_Ic8Q1_HlL9ht9nPqPLtnSxe-URVlOlY3EkZ5KNDFon2GJJkUyoysYA

Thomas Beckett day

Christmas lights in the arab side of
town

The weather continues to be cold and gloomy ... typical of winter. Highest temp at daytime is only 9 degrees. Up in the Golan Heights, it's snowing. It should rain here in Jerusalem but it's only drizzling. Though I need to go out and do some chores ... I've kept myself in my room. The bronchitis is still not over so I'm not taking any chances. But it has improved a lot though. Anyway it's the feast of St. Thomas Beckett, Archbishop of Canterbury murdered in the cathedral.

Police on alert

Yesterday 2 great contributors to the humanities died: Sr. Wendy Beckett the hermit who became a famous art critic; and Amos Oz, Israeli's greatest writer and conscience of the country. I've been watching Sr. Wendy's series on art yesterday. She was a student of J.R.R. Tolkien, author of the Lord of the Rings and translator of the Jerusalem Bible in english.

There were several scuffles in the Old City the past few days. Police presence has been stepped up. There is a palpable tension in the atmosphere but thankfully the rains disperses everyone and keeps enemies at bay.

A shocking report by British commissions reveal that 215 million christians around the world faced persecution in 2018. This is by far the largest number of christian persecution this century.  Well no one is doing anything about it. The christian conscience of Europe is dead ... christianity in Europe is dead. https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Britain-commissions-review-of-Christian-persecution-worldwide-575721?fbclid=IwAR15IGWjNBHszD0QHArqBnJMwgjJWaVnbBRSl43h9NmnbWJd6-6o0C4897M

The talk about town ... the eastern side of town that is ... is laughing at Netanyahu being played out by Trump. The PM had relied a lot on Trump especially seeing the US embassy move to Jerusalem as a victory. Now Israel is abandoned to defend itself as US troops pullout of Syria. And the embassy move is all sound and fury, signifying nothing. Life continues in the City as if the embassy is still in Tel Aviv. No difference made. It's a hallow victory which Israel will be made to pay a lot.

Yesterday's bomb killing 4 Vietnamese tourists in Cairo was a horrible reminder NOT to go to Egypt. Israel constantly published travel warnings against going to Egypt ... but there are money minded travel agencies who risk tourists' lives by organising tours there. Tourists also should make all necessary inquiries regarding the safety of their visit. One incident like this is enough ... you can't bring dead people back to life.  https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/two-vietnamese-tourists-killed-10-injured-by-roadside-bomb-in-egypt?xtor=CS1-10&fbclid=IwAR09XeJdNvCpKXT8jBfLjddZMgEeveyhKch6Bt7gm5IMUyuXTZnEA51z0U4

Holy Innocents day

The rains have stopped after a drizzle early this morning and the sun is up .... fighting behind the clouds. It is very cold ... 7 degrees maximum today and the forecast is another storm tomorrow. It sets the mood for the feast of the Holy Innocents ... the slaughter of little babies by Herod.

Cauliflowers growing

My visit to the MC convent in Bethlehem the other day was very pleasant. The convent overlooks the vast Judean desert to the east. I offered Mass in their chapel ... which is barely 300 meters from the Basilica of the Nativity. Remembered you all at Mass .... all living and dead, all intentions and petitions. I didn't have lunch there but I visited their garden and saw Sr. Emiline had been planting a lot of veggies. There were baby cauliflowers and spinach ... typical winter veggies. Amazing.

Deserted streets in
the rain

There is revealed a dehumanising legal policy in Israel which forbids relationships between foreign workers. The punishment is deportation. Foreign workers may not have children or be married here. The govt fears that a foreign family unit might be established here ... and this is forbidden. Israel is for jews only. I wonder how the Holy Innocents feel about this ... 2000 years ago they were deemed a threat too.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-dozens-to-hundreds-how-israel-deports-foreign-worker-couples-1.6787509?fbclid=IwAR3qgQvfngmg_C58R4kngnDAviMwDS3E9tijhBq6UBPwKZ-cpkNvLNw2JDs
and
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-in-court-israel-defends-ban-on-relationships-between-foreign-workers-1.6785834?fbclid=IwAR2CFcyFZSzjECpCPMvjY_MnWLbbC1nOxiaFGbV4lL-7Vnyi47z8qFxHVm0

St. John feastday

New Gate with minimal decorations

The promised rain has come. Very strong winds, very cold and rain. Indoors it doesn't seem so apparent but the strong wind blows through the cracks under the door nd you can feel the cold air blasting across the room. I am definitely staying indoors today as my bronchitis is not yet over. I managed to get a better night's sleep last night but with the falling temp. I was kept awake by the cold.

New Gate is decorated with minimal Christmas lights as ultra-orthodox jews complain to the police every year about christian idolatry ... meaning the Christmas Tree and the Crib scene. For the past years they have called the police to tear down our decorations ... and the Mayor who needs the orthodox votes, complied and tore down all our Christmas stuff. So much for tolerance and Israel as the only island of protection for christians in the Middle East. The power of the ultra-orthodox jews is way out of proportion but they grip the govt. with fear and eternal damnation, so even the police and army and govt. bow to this minority.

Tree and Crib at Bethlehem

We're enjoying more freedom in Palestine with the muslims. All the villages and towns with christian presence are allowed to put up a Christmas Tree. Even Gaza, after 10 years of probation, has this year put up an enormous Tree in the City Square and permitted open celebration of Christmas. Of course we all know it's part of Hamas' political stunt to get european support and sympathy. After all all it's tunnels have been blown up and majority of its arab benefactor countries are now supporting Israel instead.

Just as Israel suffers from the implosion by infighting between the ultra-orthodox and the rest of judaism; Palestine suffers from implosion too ... by the unscrupulous moneymakers and the rest of the poor. Yesterday a group of palestinians were sold a tour package to the Israeli Red Sea resort city of Eilat. All duped by the arab agency because they do not have permits to leave Palestine and enter Israel. The organiser, driver and guide were arrested and the poor blokes who thought they paid for a holiday are all back home a lot less richer.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/bus-full-of-permit-less-palestinians-stopped-en-route-to-eilat-vacation/

Israel's bombardment of Syrian/Iranian military bases is still causing a lot of concern locally because no one here wants a war. Trump this morning said that he gives Israel $4.2 billion and much more each year so "Israel can take care of itself" and doesn't need American military help in Syria. Politicians and the Media are accusing the PM for relying too much on Trump ... and now Trump has turned his back on Israel. Hazardous relationship with this US president.

St. Stephan Day

Today started with very bright sunshine and even warm ... 18 degrees I think. But by 3pm the temp. began to drop and the sky got very cloudy. A storm is coming tomorrow ... a big one say the forecasters. Well I look forward to that. With my bronchitis still around, I can stay in bed and not work.

The MC Bethlehem chapel

This morning I had to go to Bethlehem and visit the Missionaries of Charity. I had 7 bags of clothes and food for the sisters who care for abandoned, handicapped men. The sisters asked me to celebrate Mass and hear confessions as well so it was only after 2 hours that I was able to leave the town, first visiting the patients in the home and surveying the convent for any needed repairs. The sisters were kind enough to cook some rice and fish for me to bring home. Bro. Leo accompanied me to carry the bags. On our way home, just before crossing the checkpoint, I decided to also pay a visit to the Caritas Baby Hospital and the Franciscan Sisters who manage the institute. This was my first time in 28 years that I've visited this place. It was a pleasant Christmas visit since I preach to the sisters for their monthly recollection days.

Our cook in festive
mood

Well celebrations are taking place in our shrines dedicated to St. Stephen ... the place of the stoning which was once a Franciscan shrine but occupied now by the Greek Orthodox; St. Stephen Basilica where he was buried (today red for by the Dominicans) ... and a late spurious legend at Beit Jamal which says the body of St. Stephen was reburied there (today cared for by the Salesians). Wherever it was, Masses are being celebrated in all these places. Tomorrow is the feast of St. John but there is no church dedicated to St. John nor any of the apostles except St. Peter (2 churches) and St. Bartolomew (in Cana) in the Holy Land.

Volcanoes Krakatau and Edna, at 2 opposite ends of the world ... are exploding at the same time. This is apocalyptic. Everyone here is talking about it. Jewish groups have started sending aid to Indonesia ... remarkable because both countries are official enemy states with no diplomatic relations.  https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Jewish-groups-send-aid-to-Indonesia-as-death-toll-tops-400-575377?fbclid=IwAR3jJMXnFFeLUqguFzWY0M9HEdIfsEAnuGaKBXog34hEwkzzi4HeJXH0Imk

But even more exciting ... for lack of a better word, is Israel's bombing if Syrian sites yesterday, particularly in Damascus.  It was apparently so massive the explosions were felt as far as Israel itself. In response the Syrians fired missiles into Israel but were intercepted by antimissile rangers. Smells like a war has started on our northern border .... thanks to Trump for wanting to pull out the US forces. It's open war now ... free for all. The biggest massacres and genocides will now take place.  https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/syria-says-missiles-intercepted-near-damascus-1.6783667?fbclid=IwAR3Wmw1ad0Nfnw1C68ke1vR0cZVIVse1y77PiT2tjWPOnSkOGBaavR4gaJk

Christmas

Our sanctuary today

Blessed Christmas to you. Celebrations everywhere in our Holy Land region especially in Bethlehem and Shepherds' Field. From local and foreign reports, there was a record-breaking crowd at Bethlehem last night. Even our Indian sisters who hold tickets to enter the Basilica were left outside in the Plaza, watching the Mass from a large screen. Streets were all closed off and people had to walk for a kilometre or more to get into the Basilica area. Almost everyone form our house who went to Bethlehem last night cam home after 3am. Luckily our superior has changed our conventual Mass at 8am so everyone could get sufficient sleep.

Sumptious desserts today

My Christmas was spent in bed. My fever and bronchitis is still quite severe. Hardly slept 3 hours last night due to the coughing, wheezing and pain. It's not been very cheery .... this Christmas ... for me. I wish I were healthier but I'm just the opposite: breathless and hardly able to walk a distance. I celebrated Mass alone at 6am because my coughing spasm would have disturbed the conventual Mass. For breakfast I had a piece of panettone with black coffee ... traditional Christmas food. Then I rested in bed till lunchtime. You really believe that? I cleaned my room, watered the garden, prepared the distribution of donations for the poor in Bethlehem. But I did all that slowly because I get blackouts easily and don't want to break my head when I fall down. Anyway lunch was lovely as we had the traditional lamb which I like very much. Then we had the sumptuous desserts made by the Sisters of Ivrea where we say daily Mass in an arab village north of the Old City.

Well tomorrow is Boxing Day and the MC sisters in Bethlehem are asking me to go over for Mass. I need to bring over donations of clothes and food but because I can't carry and walk 1 km uphill to their convent due to my bronchitis ... I don't know how I'm going to get there and back. More stress.

From our chinese sisters in Jerusalem

在此神圣的夜晚来临之际，愿即将诞生的小耶稣恩赐您全家平安幸福、喜乐安康！愿我们在白冷的马槽前最真诚的祈祷化为最美的祝福送给远方的您！圣诞节快乐 !!!

... to all their friends and benefactors throughout the world

Bronchitis

The central piece in our refectory

Since yesterday evening I've been coughing viciously and having great difficulty in breathing. There's also a fever. Feeling really sick. It must have been the 3am berry-picking that made me sick. It was very cold and I was very tired. Now I don't think I'll be able to celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem. I'm not even going out of my room today. It's really that bad. I'm constantly gasping for air and each cough brings a lot of pain from my neck and the crushed nerve. I get blackouts as a result.

Our almost
minimalist crib

This afternoon I realised the superior did not organise the students to prepare the decorations in our refectory. What a dreadful pity. I did up the floral pieces which consisted of the pine branches from the Salesian Monastery, the berries and pine cones picked from the park/cemetery that caused my bronchitis ... and a candle which is it everyday in Christmastide till Epiphany. That was pretty quick. But preparing the crib and other decorations were very difficult for me as I needed that tall ladder to reach the chandeliers. Fortunately I found Karol our slovak student who is almost 6 feet tall. He helped trail the streamers and hang the baubles.  And the crib was minimalist ... with pine cone and branches as background and the Holy Family in the centre. But our indian sisters insisted there must be angels and shepherds and sheep ..... and lots of flickering lights.

Another series of hate-crimes against arabs by jews .... 27 cars slashed, graffiti and vandalism on private property ... but will justice be done?   https://www.timesofisrael.com/tires-slashed-walls-graffitied-in-east-jerusalem-apparent-hate-crime/?fbclid=IwAR2sA7AkHnZFa44_b4_sGcQouP0NJvJYgS8KPxKzDXQ5-9Hrls3N-0IGrq8

Well tomorrow night many people will go to Bethlehem for Midnight Mass ... or Shepherds' Field to celebrate Mass. I'll stay at home ... am too sick to go even to our door. How uneventful.

Berry picking

Quiet corner of the cemetery 

It's the last weekend before Christmas. Last minute preparations. I went out to the cemetery 1.5 km away at 3.30am to gather the berries for our refectory and church decorations. It's an unearthly hour ... extremely cold. I thought I could cut the berries freely as no one would be around ... but I made one fatal mistake .... last night was Sabbath. Hoards of secular jews, arabs and foreign tourists were out in the streets partying and drinking .... yea even at 3am. I could not gather the berries at the street corners because it was crowded with people, so I went deeper into the cemetery which was also not that quiet. At least half a dozen people walked passed. But once the coast was clear, I cut a bag full of the berries and went straight home.

Bag full of berries

But Damascus Gate was anything but quiet at 4.30am. Muslims from all over the country had already arrived and were entering the Gate to the Al Aqsa Mosque for  dawn prayers. The City is as busy at night as it is in the day. Anyway got home and now I caught bronchitis. Coughing and difficulty in breathing. Christmas will not be pleasant.

Berries, pine branches
and cones in use

Bad news for 2019 as prices of every daily necessity will spike .... from water and electricity to food and diapers. Protests continued yesterday in Tel Aviv over these rising prices but it's unlikely it'll have any effect .... until the elections of course.

The story has emerged that last week 2 jewish men beat up an arab bus driver. Such anti-arab assaults are on the rise as part of the national revenge on arab terrorists' attacks the past month. There's no rule of law here .... it's eye for an eye meted out in kangaroo courts and such criminals are seldom caught or charged. Jews can spit at christians and it's ok ... but if it were vice-versa, it'll be an antisemitic crime.  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/bus-driver-says-two-israeli-teens-beat-him-after-making-sure-he-was-arab-1.6745180?fbclid=IwAR0ymjvaIJc_P3FkmzvCMAd8vgy8KdGuAEk8UkPVMbc7JeDonwnq9SnfsHI

Solstice

Overcast and cold but no rain

Tonight is the winter solstice ... precisely at 00.23. That's the longest night of the year and the shortest day of the year. The rain has stopped after 2 days and the ground is well soaked. Maybe too much ... my shoes were caked with mud as I walked through the park to get to school. Now I have to wash it. Anyway the Lake of Galilee has risen by 1.5cm which is a big deal.    https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5429804,00.html?fbclid=IwAR0OFmPtHdvgZrCG9pXaCLbby0FJWQO4W-R15Wbx1PSSkzegE1cdnzDExWw

Everyone was busy today ... putting up Christmas decorations. I had to organise 2 gatherings for the staff of the 2 libraries ... to thank them for the year's work and share the Christmas cheer. We eat traditional Panettone or Pan D'Oro and chitchat. Then I had to buy candles for our refectory for Christmas. And I walked 2 km to the Salesian University to cut fir branches to decorate our refectory. Thank goodness some of my students were around and helped me cut the branches. I collected 2 large bags and walked home with them. It was tiring. On Sunday I'll start preparing the 8 small candle accretions for the tables plus a large one on our main serving table. But one element is missing ... the red berries. That one is tough ... I have to go out in the night to get them. Hope it won't rain tonight. well it's after all the solstice so the night will be very long, giving me more time to gather them in the cemetery. And the fill moon is a big help as it will give me enough light to see where the berries are. And yes ... they're found in the muslim cemetery. It can get quite scary at 3am.

Then tomorrow morning I have to preach a retreat. In the afternoon I have to meet 3 groups of people followed by confessions for the nuns and then meeting a group of pilgrims. Not sure if I'll survive all that. So I'll be sleeping early. After all I have to start the day with gathering berries in the cemetery at 3am.

Stormy night

Rainy morning today

What a night of rain. The cold and storm from Europe has blown into our region at last and it was everything the weather forecasters have said - strong gusty winds with rain. This will continue till tomorrow. We'll see what happens next week during Christmas. Actually we're all hoping for some snow. That would make Christmas perfect!

Police entourage at the Patriarchate

We're still not sure if the borders will be opened for our christians in Palestine, if they can come to Jerusalem and celebrate Christmas with the christians in Israel. Yesterday I happened to bump into the Police Chief and his entourage on a pre-Christmas visit to the Archbishop. They usually do this not to merely to wish the christian leaders but more to coordinate security. It's aways a tense moment during the feast days because extremists both jewish and muslim might try to do something harmful. Just yesterday new anti-christian graffiti were committed ... one on the walls of a church in Beersheba saying "Jesus = son of whore". This is the abuse we face everyday but nothing is done to protect us.

Sadly Christmas will be difficult for many families in the West Bank and Gaza because the UN is cutting back on food aid ... claiming that the US stoppage of funds to the UN has made food aid now impossible.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/un-announces-cuts-in-food-aid-to-gaza-west-bank/amp/?fbclid=IwAR100V_MUj8h2RQISNJEaGu7bKV2xBPNojf3riQE4ysYbh0kayay4JCqE1o

Anti-christian graffiti yesterday

And ISIS in Syria has killed 700 civilians ... a threat to christians celebrating Christmas. Yet Trump believes ISIS is vanquished and has pulled out US troops from Syria last night. No consultation. US military heads are at a lost as to what to do as they know well ISIS will rise again as soon as the US troops are gone.   https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/islamic-state-kills-700-prisoners-in-east-syria-war-monitor-finds-1.6762515?fbclid=IwAR3_cRYjT_wbBKPFKnjdGPTKFqbV9rgx53T-MGrXJrwrLfh4swb0r_nEMAM

Train experience

The last of 3 monster escalators

Yesterday I had a great adventure ... I took the new train to the airport. The hi-speed train takes only 20 mins to reach the airport instead of the usual 45 mins by road transport. And the central station at the City centre is one of the deepest in the world, 4th only to Pyongyang, Kiev and St. Petersburg. It's 80 meters below the ground and there are 3 very steep escalators that bring you down to the platforms. It was amazing yet frightening. Anyone with a fear for heights should not take the escalators!!

The trains themselves were comfortable and there are only 2 breaks on land when you can see the plains. Other than that it travels through 2 long mountain ranges. The ride was free of charge because there's a 90 day promotion to introduce the train to locals and tourists. All in all it was a pleasant experience ... something out of Monday routine. Mind you it was quite hectic as I had to rush back for class at 2pm. I was almost late.

Today I had my last class in English language. Exams begin tomorrow so all classes end today. That will allow me for more time to rest during this Christmas period. I hope.

Hi-speed train to airport

The Jerusalem Municipality will distribute free Christmas trees to christians at Jaffa Gate on Thursday. Several years ago there were ultra-orthodox jews who came and caused trouble ... accusing the Municipality of encouraging idol worship. Let's hope this year they won't cause trouble. We expect some cursing and spitting though.

Gaza christians are not allowed to enter Israel for the Christmas celebrations. This is really tough. Thanks to the muslim terrorists who purposely planned to destroy our feasts. Collective punishment on one terrorist act might backfire on Israel ... christians are innocent of these terrorist acts and do not deserve to be punished with those fanatics. And thanks to these stupid people, Israel now has the excuse to retaliate by confiscating land in Palestine and officially recognising 66 illegal outposts within Palestine.    https://english.palinfo.com/news/2018/12/15/israel-bans-gaza-christians-from-entering-bethlehem?fbclid=IwAR03PQvuyoYimAWyyuA5PKeV-8Yod69nmPHgIvJJjGI2CEpEkLDDz2FM0EA

Protests against the rising prices of food continue. It's quite unlivable when you earn hardly enough to pay the rent and electricity let alone food. I guess this protest will spill into the Christmas holidays. Not that Christmas is ever celebrated here in a jewish State ... but it'll get hijacked by the protest movement.

Gaudete

Arab men stopped by Israeli police
in jewish part of Jerusalem today

Tensions continue to rise as more terrorist attacks took place last night and more Israeli revenge attacks also took place. Police presence in and around the Old City has been stepped up. Stop-and-search is widespread now. Most arabs try to stay in the eastern part of Jerusalem which is predominantly arab. But those who dared to go to the western side which is jewish ... they get stopped and searched by the Israeli police. I personally witnessed 2 arab men stopped today at Zion Square, one of the busiest part of town. At the CityPass office where I went to apply for a Rav Kav (sort of credit card for all public transport, like Hong Kong's Octopass) because cash is no longer accepted in all Israeli pubic transport, an arab woman who was also applying was watched and photographed by security in the upper floor. 2 more security guards were called to stand near her. It was terrible. But that's the price to pay for some stupid terrorist who never thought of the consequences for other people. The terrorist gets killed but we who are alive pay the price with our freedom of movement. That is concretely seen in Israel's refusal to grant Christmas permits to christian Gaza's to enter Israel for the feast. Usually a few hundred are given permits so they can come to Bethlehem and Jerusalem to pray and join in the festivities. This year no permits were granted to christian Gazans. That is exactly what the muslim terrorists want .... to destroy our christmas celebrations and make christians turn against Israel. I hope the Church hierarchy is smart enough to see through this ruse and not fall into its trap.  https://english.palinfo.com/news/2018/12/15/israel-bans-gaza-christians-from-entering-bethlehem?fbclid=IwAR3a91L_8RiZqvUIYZMKkFb0S-393JZtm2NUmkAQVqs7R-vJKgG7KE7iokw

The media is saying that the violence and attacks in Palestine is spiralling out of control and Israel must respond with some means of security measures. It's not simply Hamas' hand behind this but the warring regional powers.  https://www.haaretz.com/.premium-israel-army-hamas-west-bank-spirals-into-violence-1.6743889?fbclid=IwAR1riC_XbifFm5-P-M9_w3FgTzvaSRud7wsSaOcVZcufPJwytHcovyXQdVY

Anyway I finally have a Rav Kav. It's valid for buses, trams and trains. Cash is not accepted anymore as payment. And inspectors are everywhere ... bus stations, tram stations and even inside the buses and trams checking on people's Rav Kav. It's a personalised card which cannot be transferred to others. Not sure why I got it as I never travel by bus or tram ... but everyone said it'll come in useful one day.

Today is Gaudete Sunday ... the pink candle on the Advent wreath was lit. A message of joy is read in the Liturgy of the Word. But with all the tensions and violence ... we can only hope.

Tense

Palm Plaza at 6pm. Deserted.

Yesterday was tense and there were several revenge attacks by jews against arabs. They threw stones and attacks arab cars in the settlements in Palestine. Buses and cars had to detour through villages and dirt roads to avoid the road blocks and attacks. In Jerusalem muslims continued to enter the Old City for Friday prayers but the crowds were noticeably smaller. Probably Israeli checkpoints stopped some from coming into the City. Palm Plaza and Damascus Gate were rather quiet and deserted as a result. Jews came in the evening to the Wailing Wall for Sabbat prayers and police presence was stepped up. It'll be like this for the next few days. Everyone is worried that things will escalade.

Bedouin women selling veg at a quiet
Damascus Gate

Yesterday also saw numerous protests in Tel Aviv. Many groups gathered in yellow vests ... copying the French popular yellow vest protest ... protesting for various reasons. Cyclists protested against the lack of bicycle lanes in Tel Aviv - they pay a fine if they ride on pedestrian lanes, but they claim riding on the narrow roads of Tel Aviv is dangerous as cars will knock them down. Women protested because the govt. is still dragging its feet in enacting laws to protect women from violence. Common jews protested against the laced security that has led to the stabbings and killings by arab terrorists. Political groups protested against the corruption of the govt. Other jews protested against the rising prices of food and basic necessities. Newspapers say it was one of the largest protests ever to take place in the country.  

Today I had to preach a retreat so I missed our community retreat which took place at the same time. Then I decided to clean my room. Actually it's more of organising my documents that lie in several boxes that occupy too much space in my tiny room. But it takes a long time as I tire easily and can only work slowly. I guess I'll have to continue doing it tomorrow.

Stabbing close call

New Gate closed due to attack

This morning I left for Jaffa very early for my medical appointment. It was 4.45am when I walked out in the cold, dark streets to Damascus Gate. On the way I had to pass by the Austrian Hospice where 2 Border Police are always stationed. An hour after that when I arrived in Jaffa I received news that both were stabbed by an arab terrorist. Shocking. They were slightly injured but the terrorist was killed. All I could think about was if I had left an hour later I would have been caught in the middle of it. That shoes how unpredictable life is here in our part of the world. Anyway there was a lockdown in the entire City. Gates were closed and police hunted down other suspects of the crime.    https://www.timesofisrael.com/two-police-officers-said-wounded-in-suspected-old-city-stabbing-attack/

And within a few hours after that attack, another took place near Ramallah. 2 israelis killed and 2 injured in a drive-pass shootout. Just like last week's drive-pass shootout which killed an unborn baby who was buried yesterday. The violence has picked up and everyone is worried this is just the beginning of a bloody winter.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/four-seriously-wounded-in-suspected-terror-shooting-near-ramallah/?fbclid=IwAR0my1m6xIGJreeg7UxKixPxhu9pMSNYBndKjSAoWKfnsRmWRRIeQPee6UI

Jaffa Clock Tower
& Christmas Tree

This morning I arrived at Jaffa at 5.45am. It was cold and drizzling and the wind was so strong and so were the waves. It was roaring in the sea. It looked so fierce in the dark cloudy sky ... the enormous waves bashing the stone barriers along the beach. I celebrated Mass with the community there at 6.45am, then washed the aquarium filters before going to see the doc. It was a painful visit. She wasn't happy with the way the bone transplant was growing after 2 x-rays. It was painful during the examination. Looks like I'll have to go under the knife again soon. In January.

St. Peter's Church at 5am

Anyway I saw the giant Christmas Tree in Old Jaffa next to the iconic Clock Tower. Here there are no orthodox jews to complain, protest and tear it down. It's a christian and muslim section of the City and only secular jews pass by there. Now I'm back in school in Jerusalem. Taught for one and a half hours and now am about to go home after resting in my office. I have a bad headache and I'm very hungry as I ate nothing since yesterday evening ... 20 hours ago.

Christmas idol

Courtyard of St. George cathedral

Yesterday evening I visited the Anglican cathedral of St. George. It was wonderfully decorated with christmas lights. The building itself is like a castle with many turrets and towers and a central courtyard. There is a pilgrim house and also a school that offers short-term courses. They have a full hierarchy of clergy ... from bishop to dean of cathedral to priests and deacons .... but their congregation is dismal. It's a small community of local believers who don't attend services even on Sunday. So my classmates who're visiting ... and they're protestants ... went for Sunday service, they were surprised to find only one person in attendance. At the Garden Tomb which is also Anglican, the service was cancelled and the place closed because nobody showed up.

St. George Cathedral

I was feeling very weak today so I decided not to go to work. I've been feeling so overwhelmed by work and other demands I'm just too tired to catch up. I really need to sleep. However today there was class in the afternoon and then some paper work to do as well. And tomorrow morning it's 3am again because I must go back to the doc for my checkup. Instead of weekly, it's now biweekly. Thank goodness because the travel cost is terribly high.

There's an unholy war in the southern city of Ashdod because a shopping mall has put up a Christmas tree and orthodox jews are calling for it to be torn down because it's a christian idol and it robs the city of its jewish character. This jewish identity thing is the usual excuse to rid anything that is not jewish. There is a growing intolerance for non-jewish things and people ... it is becoming dangerous.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/ultra-orthodox-deputy-mayor-calls-to-remove-christmas-tree-from-ashdod-mall/?fbclid=IwAR3V3g3Tu8tdGPLalMX6OKXf9CoRHhsILorCbdYuc9J0L0tCzZMPtMY2L5A

Last week there was a poll which showed jews very worried because half of the country's pharmacists are not jewish. Pharmacy has been the traditional trade of christians in this country for the past 80 years or so ... it started with the Franciscans who started the first medical clinics 800 years ago and taught the local christians pharmacological knowledge. Locals were then sent to Italy to study and they return as qualified pharmacists and this is usually a family tradition.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-poll-shows-strong-anti-arab-sentiment-among-israeli-jews/?fbclid=IwAR3d979d7p1mIa0xqs3Zi0cvuiYbbFSOx6d2StHisaIMdB-AP3L-tPYcvek

Bad news Tuesday

Damascus Gate ... empty and cold

There were 2 more ramming attacks this morning .... one in Hebron in the south and another in the Jordan Valley. Things have escalated from yesterday's attack. For sure security will be stepped up during the Christmas holidays ... perhaps christians from the Palestinian territories may not be granted permits to enter Jerusalem. I am suspecting that all these attacks are meant to disrupt our christian festivities ... to drive a wedge between christians and the State of Israel.

In Iran hundreds of christians have been arrested  as they prepare to celebrate christians.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-said-to-arrest-over-100-christians-in-crackdown-on-conversions/?fbclid=IwAR24eqOTsf8-eubXGnnwsRf8z9hcu6HyzH5xTDSnldXY5Qj2T9fdFuhmeJQ

In Syria over half a million people have been killed to date in the dreadful war ... among them tens of thousands of christians, yezhidis and mandaeans. It is horrific ... but even more horrific is the silence of the world. The news I receive from Damascus by my students and friends working there are simply too terrible to describe.  https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/560-000-killed-in-syria-s-war-according-to-updated-death-toll-1.6700244?fbclid=IwAR1Gy-9nm81tcXlDabbVd_rGcrrQaoIBanpCuY-sc690CQtz9V8Y49DqRfE

The sun continues to shine today though it's only 14 degrees. Lovely weather. Tourists numbers have declined mainly because it's getting close to Christmas and it's a family feast so fewer people come here. Only those brave people who will stand in the rain and cold on Dec. 24th will come for Christmas at Bethlehem. But with all the horrible news that we're receiving .... Christmas is not joyful .... it is but a vague memory for those poor christians hiding and running for their lives, wondering where the next meal will come, where to shelter from the cold and snow.

New week

Sunrise today

Yesterday saw a dreadful terrorist attack ... a passing car shot into a jewish car killing a pregnant woman. Newspapers are saying it's the start of another violent confrontation between israelis and arabs ... and no one really wants it.

The rains have stopped and the sun is up and shining ... but the temp. remains low. Nights are 7 degrees and daytime is 14 degrees at most. It's better to stay indoors where there's heating because though it's not raining, the wind is very cold. It certainly adds to the Christmas atmosphere. The rains of the past few days have flooded highways throughout the country and the first snow has fallen up in the north. Maybe we'll have snow in Jerusalem too ... in a few weeks' time.   https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/flooding-shuts-down-major-israeli-highway-first-snow-falls-in-north-1.6724235?fbclid=IwAR3oNGHp6sQ9j103JYG4QaQwYYZM9v7wAyvf2_eD22lIlBMhmK7ZLYltEU8

Jerusalem Old City at 4am

Yesterday evening I had a delightful reunion with some of my classmates from 37 years back in College. All are married with children and they had come on a private pilgrimage. We had a lot to catchup ... one is a lawyer, another an executive and another a banker. We shared news about other classmates and found out how far we have all been dispersed. Some are in America and Canada. And how diverse our lives have become from College days. I was told that next year our College will be celebrating its 100th anniversary and the alumni will beginning in a festive dinner. Well I won't be there but I told them to send me photos.

In a bizarre protest, commuters who are fed up with various protest groups blocking the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv, organised through Facebook a blockage of the same highway.   https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5422517,00.html

Immaculate Conception feast

Deacon Pushpa Raj helping me inside
the Empty Tomb

It rained all day yesterday and the temp. dropped to 7 degrees. It was also the feast of the Immaculate Conception and I had 2 Masses to celebrate in succession in the Holy Sepulchre basilica: 1 at 5am on Mt. Calvary for M. Teresa's sisters who were renewing their vows, and the 2nd at 5.30am inside the Empty Tomb for our expat community from Jaffa. It was a rush from the place of the Crucifixion and down to the Tomb. I think I'm the only priest in the world who could celebrate Masses in both places in chronological sequence of Christ's crucifixion and burial.

American friar
preparing for Mass

To get to the Basilica on time, I had to leave at 4am in the dark, cold and heavy rain. I had a sustained asthma attack on the way up the hill. The sacristans in the basilica were very good to me and made sure I was alright when I reached our sacristy in the basilica. The basilica was empty ... not one single tourist or pilgrim. The Armenian Orthodox were singing their liturgy in the Empty Tomb and that was all. In the sacristy an american friar was preparing for the first Catholic Mass at 5am inside the Tomb once the Armenians complete their liturgy. It was such a tranquil atmosphere ... something Ive not experienced before inside the basilica all these years.

For my 2nd Mass I had my student Deacon Pushpa to help me. He's a very quiet hardworking seminarian ... very humble. I'm helping him with his final thesis before his ordination as priest.

After Mass I had a Bible class with the Jaffa group. Then it was back home in the rain to clean my room and settle some documentations. Being a feast day, our school and libraries were closed so I had more free time. I also pruned our bushes and tidied my flower pots as most plats have died in this cold winter rain. All in all it was a slow day and I recovered from my asthma.

Today I had the Armenian Mass and what a surprise. Not only did our Armenian twin seminarians came to help me sing and read in Armenian, a newly ordained deacon (my former student) came to help serve the liturgy and 4 other seminarians showed up. Well they confessed they got up late for their conventual Mass so they came to my Armenian liturgy which starts at 9am. The rain and cold was just too tempting to stay in bed.

Another rainy day

Wet quiet street in the New City

I just found out that the sun sets at 4.34pm .... and rises tomorrow at 6.27am. A bit of useless information ... but interesting for me as I never knew that. I usually go by the call to prayer of the muslim imam at Al Aqsa Mosque. The minaret is directly opposite my windows I cannot but be aware of it. It's so strange that only a few months ago in summer the first call to prayer was at 2.45am and in a span of 5 months it's now at 4.30am. It's almost a 2 hr difference in 5 months.

Anyway it is still raining since yesterday. That's wonderful because we need the rain. Tel Aviv and the coastal cities were inundated .... saw the videos of streets underwater; the river Yarkon overflowed into the highway and train tracks. Jerusalem however has only heavy drizzle ... but that's better than nothing. It's the cold that's getting to us ... 8 degrees at noontime. Well it's winter so we should expect it. I wonder if there'll be the Way of the Cross this afternoon ... I guess there will be.

Jaffa street is cold and wet

Tomorrow is the feast of the Immaculate Conception. I have 2 Masses to celebrate ... one at 5am on Calvary and another at 5.30am inside the Empty Tomb. It'll be quite a rush from one to the other ... but then who can say he celebrated Mass on Calvary and then down inside the Tomb all in one hour?

Well I was out in the rain to buy flowers for our chapel. Our sisters are too busy to go and buy. Poor things hardly have time to rest. I hope they can take a week off to rest and let us do the chores instead. They deserve a nice relaxed Christmas.

Heavy rain

Damascus Gate in
the rain

It rained hard early this morning ... at 4am there was thunder and lightning and then for the rest of the morning it swung between shower and drizzle. In the afternoon it was more shower than drizzle and this continues till now 8.30pm. Bedouin women who brought their vegetables for sale laid their products out in the rain ... the vegetables remained fresh and washed. Shops on both sides of the street raised awnings and tents. They know full well that people sheltering under their wings will eventual buy something from them.

The temp. fell to 10 degrees though I noticed in Tel Aviv it was 16 degrees. The coastal cities had much more rain than we did ... in fact cities like Rehovot was inundated. Kindergarten children had to be saved in dinghys. And the forecast is more rain for the next 3 days. I wish I could sleep through all this ... the perfect weather.   https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5421035,00.html?fbclid=IwAR3jEuu3iU6XMGidj3nhfxEDiRRKmJ6cwtc1GoAgGZBViF4de42LPQvZq3U

On the contrary I had to work all day today. Thursdays are as bad as Mondays. Besides the usual paper work with the lawyers and banks, I had class and then confessions/adoration with M. Teresa's sisters. I was quite wet from going back and forth for the various work. Luckily the sisters had heaters turned on so my clothes became dry quickly and I did not catch a cold.

Students enjoying sushi

In the afternoon, I had to take 3 of my students of English out to lunch. They wanted so much to try sushi so I brought them a corner shop for some. They loved it ... and they got to study english as well. I wasn't letting them go without teaching them life-situational english.

The demonstration on Tuesday in support for more legislation to protect women from domestic abuse grew so large and the tension ws so high, the Israeli army could not contain the thousands gathered in the march in Tel Aviv and just let them do their own thing. Many private and govt. companies, institutes and agencies allowed their employees to take a day off to march in support.   https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-after-this-week-s-protest-against-femicide-women-in-israel-can-dream-1.6722054?fbclid=IwAR1SbPFFWez2dKh9a0YBnI4xEQgUw79lI61nulQi7KiBYWCUcgoJOVMKhuc
and
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-army-op-couldn-t-hold-back-outrage-over-inaction-on-violence-against-women-1.6719520?fbclid=IwAR0Vi3AyGXCqSRUCRsKP1zbkNb_A4UCw4NxEX-PJHrkWrVHE5LlW0_nbKjI

Burbara

Burbara

Yesterday was Dec. 4th which is the feast of St. Barbara ... and as local tradition dictates, we ate burbara. It's wheat grain and dried fruit and nuts boiled in syrup ... and they throw in M&Ms, twinkles and other sweets on top as well. It's always the sign of the start of Advent. And we plant beans on that day so they grow tall like grass on Christmas Day and we put them around the Christmas Crib like grass. Years ago kids used to dress up in costumes not unlike Purim (jewish feast) because St. Barbara, an early christian martyr, was dressed in disguise to escape her roman persecutors. Well much as I like barber ... I didn't eat any because there're nuts in it and I am allergic. Wish our sisters would cook some without nuts for me.

Paul's doctoral defense

This evening our student Paul from India defended his doctoral thesis. Our Crusader hall was quite crowded with fellow students and his friends who came to encourage him. Paul is very hardworking and studies everyday in the library for all the years that he was here and I as director of the library. He deserves a good grade and I'm sure he'll be a great professor when he returns to India to teach.

Meantime there's consternation in the country as we learn the Lebanese terrorist Hezbollah who dug tunnels into northern Isreal had meant to capture Metulla the northern most Israeli city that borders Lebanon. And they would have succeeded if the IDF did not first discover the tunnels and blew them up. Our security is challenged and we must be more on our toes as the war has now gone underground ... just like in Gaza and its tunnels.

And on the 4th evening of Hanukkah, no controversy against non-jews can pass without some headlines. This time Israeli media jumped on a Catholic Newspaper for reporting on Hanukkah but putting up a picture of the Arch of Titus sculpture of Roman soldiers carrying off the Menorah as booty to Rome. A case of christian ignorance more than malice ... but the Israelis consider it a slight and insult. Remember Hanukkah is the celebration of the Jews defeating the pagan Syrians from Israel, the enemies who sacrificed pigs on their sacred altar and brought in idols into their Temple. And now the Catholic Newspaper puts up a photo showing jewish defeat by pagan romans who sacked the Templea and looted all its treasures to Rome. Well ... more anti-catholic attacks in our country for sure in the next few days of Hanukkah. Thanks to Catholic ignorance .... Now we'll have to disguise to go out like St. Barbara.