Curfew

Curfew

We've gone one step above a nationwide lockdown. Last night a curfew was decided. It will start at 3pm today and end tomorrow ... inanely to prevent jews from travelling to other cities to celebrate the Passover. All shops including pharmacies must be closed. It says in the directives that this will not affect arab neighbourhoods that do not celebrate the jewish feast. Well, where does that put me? I live in an arab neighbourhood but it's part of the jewish walled city. Very nebulous ... we'll have to see this afternoon if anyone is walking in the streets. Israel is employing helicopters and drones to keep the israelis indoors. It all looks so much like a war. It's all for our own good.

But we've been seeing videos of ultra-orthodox refusing to obey the rules, gathering in crowds to pray in public, spitting and biting police officers. Extremist settler jewish youths rioting and damaging police cars when arrested and forced to quarantine because one of them is infected. Though a minority and a marginalised groups ... their reckless and careless behaviour endangers us all .... and will only prolong the lockdown.

I guess if the curfew does include us, then I won't be able to throw the garbage since the collectors won't be working. That's one job settled. And being Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord's Supper is celebrated only in the evening ... and it's a private affair since no one is allowed to participate or walk in the streets. So I'll do a short retreat on my own.

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Despite the terrible time of people losing their jobs, unable to feed their families, and falling sick to the virus ... there're still good news that uplift people. Yesterday there was a photo of several racks of vegetables left on the roadside with a note in arabic saying anyone who needs and can't afford, may take them free. It's heartening that there is still kindness and generosity. Especially among the poor, like the arab farmer who offered his produce for free.

I've also received lots of private photos from former students around the world ... indians packing thousands of food packs to give to the poor; syrians in the midst of war making masks and distributing food; filipino nuns bringing provisions to the slums .... In this crisis, we see who are the truly generous and self-sacrificing. And the Church is leading in this.