Tomb of the Assumption

Tomb of Mary

The weekend and start of the week sw more violence ... from gangland to military. People continue to die. Anti-govt policy protests continue to grow. Ultra-orthodox coalition members threaten to break up the govt if they don't get what they want - which is exemption from military service. Another bedouin community is forcefully moved from their terrain. Jews continue to spit at us and get away with it even though the presseoident and police chief met with christian leaders to assure them of govt support. All talk. Show some action - arrest and charge those perpetrators. This is a summer to remember ... implosion like never.

Yesterday was the Assumption of the BVM. There were prayers all day at her tomb in the Kidron Valley. Mass was celebrated at Gethsemani basilica next door with procession. Few people know that Mary died and was buried, and from her tomb she was assumed into heaven. People think she just floated into heaven one day without dying. No one is exempt from death ... not even Jesus Christ. So she had to die. But after that she was assumed into heaven. Ancient christian celebrations have been taking place here since the first centuries of Christianity. 

The weather continues to be above 38 degrees. It's sweltering because humidity is 80%. it makes the weather even worse. There was so much fog last night I couldn't see the Dom of the Rock from my window. The ground is covered with dew mixed with desert sand ... making marks all over and very slippery. I had to be very careful this morning when the janitor and I did gardening and avoided slipping in the courtyard.