Am happy I managed to complete two pieces of work yesterday before I slept. Will try and do 2 more today. The weather has not been good - very cloudy and even drizzled yesterday morning. Lots of people are getting sick - again. I'm staying out of reach of the virus and locking myself in my room. Lots of vitamin C and other stuff. I don't want to be sick right now when my asthma is on an all time high and the BP is still not quite stable.
Must have been absolutely tired because when I closed my eyes at about 11pm last night, I woke up thinking it's the usual 2.30am but instead it was already 4am. Quickly bathed and changed and went off to the Holy Sepulchre. Celebrated Mass there for the Solemnity of Pentecost, as well as the Office of Readings and Lauds (Morning Prayer). I like it there early in the morning. There were groups but everyone was respectfully quiet. The Missionaries of Charity were there in full force - some on Mt. Calvary others in front of the Tomb. I went up to Mt. Calvary and the superior Sr. Capilla saw me and offered to bring me to hospital because I looked sick. I joked and said if I die here on Mt. Calvary, that would be the best death anyone can ask for. She got upset and kept saying "I'm not joking!" - so maybe next week I'll go to the Victoria Augusta Hospital with the sisters - I still need more tests to be done.
Fr O'Brien of Adelaide just stopped by so I broke off this blog for about .... 4 hrs. He speaks chinese and was chaplain to the chinese Catholic community there for a while. He had previously contacted me about coming to the Holyland for a visit 1 yr ago - now we finally meet in person. Interesting guy with a wide range of pastoral experience.
Oh ..... and Jughead our canary has hatched 2 chicks this morning. Everyone was very excited and came out to see the hatchlings. Jughead is a good mother - she already produced 3 chicks last month. The other hens are still a bit of a problem. The white hen laid 4 eggs and ate them all up. Another hen laid 3 eggs and threw the entire nest on the ground. The rest are sitting on their eggs but no hatchlings yet .... and they laid the eggs earlier than Jughead. Our superior is not optimistic with them.
OK spent too much time on other things already. Must get back to work. Yes it's Sunday and a feastday but I need to catch up with my work.
May the Holy Spirit give you courage to witness to your Catholic faith.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Pentecost tomorrow
I decided to go for the Way of the Cross yesterday. Large crowds from Europe joined in. But what struck me was the high profile presence of armed soldiers and police escorting the procession. Yes we all knew this are tense times in the land, and even though I've seen armed police escort our Way of the Cross, I never felt so tense the procession became until yesterday. Armed soldiers and police at the front and back of the procession, then almost the all the first 8 stations had soldiers standing guard.
It was precisely what I've been trying to avoid - getting tense. And it wasn't helping. So I went ahead of the procession and sat inside the 7th Station chapel to be alone and calm down. When the procesison passed on to the 8th and 9th stations, I took a shortcut to the Holy Sepulchre where the 10th - 14th stations are found. William found me and we stood together behind the Tomb of Christ for the rest of the procession. After that we chatted awhile. He's upset about the war in Beirut and fears he might not be able to go home for summer. Poor chap.
Anyway my BP shot up again today....long story. Am resting and did some work on the computer. Am going to Vespers now - Pentecost tomorrow.
It was precisely what I've been trying to avoid - getting tense. And it wasn't helping. So I went ahead of the procession and sat inside the 7th Station chapel to be alone and calm down. When the procesison passed on to the 8th and 9th stations, I took a shortcut to the Holy Sepulchre where the 10th - 14th stations are found. William found me and we stood together behind the Tomb of Christ for the rest of the procession. After that we chatted awhile. He's upset about the war in Beirut and fears he might not be able to go home for summer. Poor chap.
Anyway my BP shot up again today....long story. Am resting and did some work on the computer. Am going to Vespers now - Pentecost tomorrow.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Simple life
Have been flitting between studies, caring for the birds and doing some important stuff outside the house (documentation work for other people). Am trying to take things easy as my BP shot up again yesterday. Had a rough time the day before. Matteo (our italian student) is very nice and has been around for the past days to chat and just to make sure things are ok.
Anyway the new medicine is pretty ok except it's causing me to have a continuous asthma wheeze. I can't strain or walk far or do strenuous things as a result. And there's a tightness round the chest all the time. Will have to go back to the doc for another change of medicine. And no I can't say I'm back to normal as psychologically, emotionally and physically I am very stretched to the limit. So I'm just locking myself in my room most of the time to avoid unnecessary problems, and I don't answer phones or Skype anymore. I just want to be alone. Its good Matteo stops by once in a while to help me regain some normality.
This morning I went out to East Jerusalem to collect something left for me by a group, then walked 2 km uphill to Notre Dame institute to get some other things and also to meet with the Legionaries of Christ as I have some important matters to settle for 2 chinese clergy coming to study here next year. Then I took a long walk back to my monastery. Everything done slowly as I can't rush anymore.
Its Friday and the Muslim crowd is gathering in the Golden domed Mosque for prayers. I've been noticing the kids that play around the streets here and thought how simple their life is: with a stick or a rubber tyre they can play for hours. An old man carries a big box filled with small brown paper bags. Kids pay a shekel and choose a packet of surprise - usually some plastic toy that we once played way back 30 years and you can't find them on sale anymore in HK or S'pore. The kids get excited, exchange with each other, play ..... all wearing clothes that have been past down probably 5 or 6 times - torn, stained; noses running, fingernails dirty, but they are so happy laughing and playing. Another man pushes a cart selling boiled corn. School kids spend one shekel to buy this treat and sit along the streets eating it. I'm sure they want something better in life, but the reality is that this is what they have to live with, and they choose to enjoy it rather than curse it. Guys make a living selling kebab on carts, others make a living taking photos of tourists and selling them. Streets stinking of urine and spit; road corners stacked with rubbish, people walking over them, around them. I have - despite the many years that I've been here - suddenly found how different this world is from HK or S'pore - the struggle to survive, the joy in simple things, the grime of reality. And I am now a part of this world. And I love it.
Anyway the new medicine is pretty ok except it's causing me to have a continuous asthma wheeze. I can't strain or walk far or do strenuous things as a result. And there's a tightness round the chest all the time. Will have to go back to the doc for another change of medicine. And no I can't say I'm back to normal as psychologically, emotionally and physically I am very stretched to the limit. So I'm just locking myself in my room most of the time to avoid unnecessary problems, and I don't answer phones or Skype anymore. I just want to be alone. Its good Matteo stops by once in a while to help me regain some normality.
This morning I went out to East Jerusalem to collect something left for me by a group, then walked 2 km uphill to Notre Dame institute to get some other things and also to meet with the Legionaries of Christ as I have some important matters to settle for 2 chinese clergy coming to study here next year. Then I took a long walk back to my monastery. Everything done slowly as I can't rush anymore.
Its Friday and the Muslim crowd is gathering in the Golden domed Mosque for prayers. I've been noticing the kids that play around the streets here and thought how simple their life is: with a stick or a rubber tyre they can play for hours. An old man carries a big box filled with small brown paper bags. Kids pay a shekel and choose a packet of surprise - usually some plastic toy that we once played way back 30 years and you can't find them on sale anymore in HK or S'pore. The kids get excited, exchange with each other, play ..... all wearing clothes that have been past down probably 5 or 6 times - torn, stained; noses running, fingernails dirty, but they are so happy laughing and playing. Another man pushes a cart selling boiled corn. School kids spend one shekel to buy this treat and sit along the streets eating it. I'm sure they want something better in life, but the reality is that this is what they have to live with, and they choose to enjoy it rather than curse it. Guys make a living selling kebab on carts, others make a living taking photos of tourists and selling them. Streets stinking of urine and spit; road corners stacked with rubbish, people walking over them, around them. I have - despite the many years that I've been here - suddenly found how different this world is from HK or S'pore - the struggle to survive, the joy in simple things, the grime of reality. And I am now a part of this world. And I love it.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
little news
The 60th anniversary celebrations are well underway - with fireworks and laser shows on the western side of the Old City (Jaffa Gate) last night. It will continue for the next two days I think.
Thanks to Mary Leung, Helen Sou, Dominic Tam and Kath Malone for your kind offerings and Helen & May Yu, Johnny Siu, Irene Teoh and Letty Chabot for the Mass intentions. The Holyland sanctuaries depend on your generosity for its upkeep. Tell me if you don't find your names on my calendar.
Thanks to Mary Leung, Helen Sou, Dominic Tam and Kath Malone for your kind offerings and Helen & May Yu, Johnny Siu, Irene Teoh and Letty Chabot for the Mass intentions. The Holyland sanctuaries depend on your generosity for its upkeep. Tell me if you don't find your names on my calendar.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
marsala in Israell
Tonight Israel begins celebrating its 60th anniversary of the founding of the state. Tonight begins the memorial of those fallen in the war. As can be expected, security is extremely tight in and out of the Old City. I'll not go out to avoid the crush and also the security hassle.
Yesterday I was at Mother Teresa's sisters' convent. They cooked me a nice meal with no salt - white rice (which is getting more expensive here in Israel), beans and veg curry. Nice to eat some local (as in Asian) food again. I kept half the food for today's lunch. Sr Alphonse-Rose says she'll cook some marsala next week - yum! imagine eating marsala in Israel!!!
The weather has gone all strange. Nice hot sun but a very cold wind blowing. People are actually wearing winter jackets again in the streets. I've covered the canaries' cages with cloth to protect the hens and eggs from the cold.
Fr Gregor Geiger and Matteo came to visit just a minute ago so broke off writing this blog. Gregor was a visiting student back in 1993 when I was first here. Now he's professor of hebrew - he's very good at learning semitic languages. Matteo is from Assisi (where St francis came) and had just earned his Licentiate a couple month's back. He's also very talented in hebrew and Aramaic. He's got a bright future ahead. It was nice they came by and chatted - they had to stand as I don't have chairs in my room. Like I said, I like this community here at the Flagellaiton because some friars are very kind and thoughtful. I really appreciate them.
Pentecost is round the corner - made your novena to the Holy Spirit yet? I think the novena (meaning 9 days) originated from this period between Ascension Day and Pentecost (count how many days these are!). See what surprises the Holy Spirit will bring to your lives!
Yesterday I was at Mother Teresa's sisters' convent. They cooked me a nice meal with no salt - white rice (which is getting more expensive here in Israel), beans and veg curry. Nice to eat some local (as in Asian) food again. I kept half the food for today's lunch. Sr Alphonse-Rose says she'll cook some marsala next week - yum! imagine eating marsala in Israel!!!
The weather has gone all strange. Nice hot sun but a very cold wind blowing. People are actually wearing winter jackets again in the streets. I've covered the canaries' cages with cloth to protect the hens and eggs from the cold.
Fr Gregor Geiger and Matteo came to visit just a minute ago so broke off writing this blog. Gregor was a visiting student back in 1993 when I was first here. Now he's professor of hebrew - he's very good at learning semitic languages. Matteo is from Assisi (where St francis came) and had just earned his Licentiate a couple month's back. He's also very talented in hebrew and Aramaic. He's got a bright future ahead. It was nice they came by and chatted - they had to stand as I don't have chairs in my room. Like I said, I like this community here at the Flagellaiton because some friars are very kind and thoughtful. I really appreciate them.
Pentecost is round the corner - made your novena to the Holy Spirit yet? I think the novena (meaning 9 days) originated from this period between Ascension Day and Pentecost (count how many days these are!). See what surprises the Holy Spirit will bring to your lives!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
7th Sunday of Easter
The house is very quiet today. Most of the students have gone to the compulsory excursion to Jordan this morning. Now I can study in peace because the Sala Cafe opposite my room will be finally quiet.
The canaries have a total of 19 eggs being incubated by 6 hens. Everyone took some time out this week to come and have a look. They were pretty impressed by the success this year. Fr Dobromir, whose canaries they are, came and had a look yesterday afternoon. He's happy.
Early last week I went to see Dr Ben Daniel who is a middle age GP specialising in family medicine. He has his newly opened clinic at St Louis Hospital run by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition. He changed my medication to one tablet a day because the former one was making me suffocate - it caused spasms in my windpipe and I cannot breathe. And again the warning to avoid alcohol, smoking, salt etc... and I have to exercise one hour a day. Also I either have to maintain my weight or go on a diet because he's worried about my cholesterol - though it wasn't checked yet. Have to go and get it done this week. St Louis Hospital doesn't do these tests because it actually is now a hospice for terminal cases.
Ascension day is over and here in Jerusalem we're preparing for the liturgical celebrations of Pentecost. Today's reading from 1Peter says "he should thank God that he has been called one [i.e. a Christian]" in the context of suffering for one's faith. Well have we thanked God for that? We thank God for our food, our work, our family, health .... but I don't think we ever considered thanking God for calling us to be Christians. The jews everyday say a prayer thanking God for making them Jews and not Gentiles. Our vocation as Christians is a priceless gift and we should not only give thanks for our Catholic faith but also be proud of it. That's what the Holy Spirit in Pentecost did for the Apostles.
The canaries have a total of 19 eggs being incubated by 6 hens. Everyone took some time out this week to come and have a look. They were pretty impressed by the success this year. Fr Dobromir, whose canaries they are, came and had a look yesterday afternoon. He's happy.
Early last week I went to see Dr Ben Daniel who is a middle age GP specialising in family medicine. He has his newly opened clinic at St Louis Hospital run by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition. He changed my medication to one tablet a day because the former one was making me suffocate - it caused spasms in my windpipe and I cannot breathe. And again the warning to avoid alcohol, smoking, salt etc... and I have to exercise one hour a day. Also I either have to maintain my weight or go on a diet because he's worried about my cholesterol - though it wasn't checked yet. Have to go and get it done this week. St Louis Hospital doesn't do these tests because it actually is now a hospice for terminal cases.
Ascension day is over and here in Jerusalem we're preparing for the liturgical celebrations of Pentecost. Today's reading from 1Peter says "he should thank God that he has been called one [i.e. a Christian]" in the context of suffering for one's faith. Well have we thanked God for that? We thank God for our food, our work, our family, health .... but I don't think we ever considered thanking God for calling us to be Christians. The jews everyday say a prayer thanking God for making them Jews and not Gentiles. Our vocation as Christians is a priceless gift and we should not only give thanks for our Catholic faith but also be proud of it. That's what the Holy Spirit in Pentecost did for the Apostles.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Sharings from friends
From F. Chua
Ode to Regis :
So 1 am glad, not that my friend has gone/
But that the earth he laughed
and lived upon was my earth too/
That 1 had closely known and loved him/
And that my love 1'd shown/
Tears over his departure?/
Nay, a smile/
That 1 had walked with him a little while.
From Daniel
"...to a lesser extent this [has] also effected all those people who knew Regis' tragedy and who tried in different ways to help. Finally the poor dog settled the whole problem by giving up his life and saying good bye to every body."
From Tiff
"If [Regis] has a soul, he will be very proud of what God has brought to you through him. He has accomplished his work."
Ode to Regis :
So 1 am glad, not that my friend has gone/
But that the earth he laughed
and lived upon was my earth too/
That 1 had closely known and loved him/
And that my love 1'd shown/
Tears over his departure?/
Nay, a smile/
That 1 had walked with him a little while.
From Daniel
"...to a lesser extent this [has] also effected all those people who knew Regis' tragedy and who tried in different ways to help. Finally the poor dog settled the whole problem by giving up his life and saying good bye to every body."
From Tiff
"If [Regis] has a soul, he will be very proud of what God has brought to you through him. He has accomplished his work."
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