Some good news for Palestinian kids - they get 2 new schools. While the critics complain that it's too little too late, I think at grassroots level, people are happy their kids get to go to schoo - even if its just a fewl. See http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1220802297111&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
While on the Israeli side: we in the East always consider the Israelis to be one of the most intelligent peoples, so this news was a bit of a shocker : http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1220802293043&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Meantime the danger in the coastal cities is not terrorists but local mafias having an all-out gangland war. Check out http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1220802297705&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
and http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1220802297463&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
and the latest http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1221034879724&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
but seriously folks ...
If you need a laugh, check out http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7607460.stm
Paralympic silver
Went to see Dr. ben Daniel yesterday. It was a hot slow walk up the hill to the hospital. Checked through the test-results and I'll have to go through another set of tests here (probably Nazareth where I usually do my medical tests; but I'll need transport to travel the 190 kms). Anyway it's still off-limits for yellow cheese, Coke, sweets etc....
My "arthritic" right middle finger still hurts alot and the doc thought if it still hurts, I should also get an x-ray done. We're not really sure if it's arthritic ... maybe I tore a ligament. It's almost 3 weeks that I cannot bend it and the pain at night sometimes wake me up. And my ankle - old injury because of my fall in Bethlehem. The doc explained that because of the pain in the ankle, I shifted my walking position, thus adding more strain on my calf, that's why it's all sore. Makes sense. Now I have to rest the ankle. I'm putting Voltaren cream on it but the pain is still there. Am also using the support to hold it together.
And some good news: Israel's Inbal Pezaro won a silver at the Paralympics in Beijing - good job!It was in the 100m freestyle.
A thought from Padre Pio: "Prayer is the best weapon we have, a key that opens the heart of God".
My "arthritic" right middle finger still hurts alot and the doc thought if it still hurts, I should also get an x-ray done. We're not really sure if it's arthritic ... maybe I tore a ligament. It's almost 3 weeks that I cannot bend it and the pain at night sometimes wake me up. And my ankle - old injury because of my fall in Bethlehem. The doc explained that because of the pain in the ankle, I shifted my walking position, thus adding more strain on my calf, that's why it's all sore. Makes sense. Now I have to rest the ankle. I'm putting Voltaren cream on it but the pain is still there. Am also using the support to hold it together.
And some good news: Israel's Inbal Pezaro won a silver at the Paralympics in Beijing - good job!It was in the 100m freestyle.
A thought from Padre Pio: "Prayer is the best weapon we have, a key that opens the heart of God".
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Autumn is coming
Spent most of yesterday at Terra Santa College doing some work. It was good to get some fresh air away from the Old City. Was told that there was a fight at Stephen's Gate after the afternoon Muslim prayers when the crowds were going out of the mosque. Vendors selling sweets had their wares thrown into the air.
Though I've always known it, it did struck me that Muslim schools close on Sundays. It reminded of the day when we heard Pope John Paul II died. All the muslim schools in the Old City closed in respect, and even some shops closed. It was touching to see how much the muslims respected the pope.
Yesterday was also the Feast of Mary's birth. Traditionally the Franciscans go to St Anne's Church (Bethesda Pool or Sheeps' Pool with the 5 porticoes where Jesus healed the paralytic - see John's Gospel) where tradition says Mary was born to Anne and Joachim, to celebrate a solemn Mass. The French ambassador was present at the Mass, as the church belongs to the French government - a gift from the Turkish overlords a century back.
Meanwhile groups after groups of Italians and Spaniards are flooding the Old City in pilgrimage - as well as Russain Orthodox who no longer require a visa to enter Israel. It's very crowded - adding to the Ramadan crush.
Everyone has noticed how the weather changed - it's chilly in the nights and mornings now. Autumn is falling on us quickly and some say this winter will be extra cold. But the days remain very hot and humid.
Padre Pio's feast will soon be round the corner. Here's a thought from him: "In meditation, it is the soul that speaks to God. In reading, it is God who speaks to the soul."
Though I've always known it, it did struck me that Muslim schools close on Sundays. It reminded of the day when we heard Pope John Paul II died. All the muslim schools in the Old City closed in respect, and even some shops closed. It was touching to see how much the muslims respected the pope.
Yesterday was also the Feast of Mary's birth. Traditionally the Franciscans go to St Anne's Church (Bethesda Pool or Sheeps' Pool with the 5 porticoes where Jesus healed the paralytic - see John's Gospel) where tradition says Mary was born to Anne and Joachim, to celebrate a solemn Mass. The French ambassador was present at the Mass, as the church belongs to the French government - a gift from the Turkish overlords a century back.
Meanwhile groups after groups of Italians and Spaniards are flooding the Old City in pilgrimage - as well as Russain Orthodox who no longer require a visa to enter Israel. It's very crowded - adding to the Ramadan crush.
Everyone has noticed how the weather changed - it's chilly in the nights and mornings now. Autumn is falling on us quickly and some say this winter will be extra cold. But the days remain very hot and humid.
Padre Pio's feast will soon be round the corner. Here's a thought from him: "In meditation, it is the soul that speaks to God. In reading, it is God who speaks to the soul."
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Sr Vincenta is back
The nights have become unbearably hot and humid - quite impossible to sleep. And the morning canon which is fired at 4.55am rocks the whole house. Mind you, most of us are already up because the muzzein starts singing the Koran at 4am and crowds have already gathered in the central mosque (Dome of the Rock). Yesterday being the Sabbath, soldiers and police were stationed every 10 meters all along Damascus gate down to the junction of the 3rd Station. Jews going down to the Wailing Wall pass by this road as well as the Muslims who go to the Golden Dome Mosque (Dome of the Rock) so tensions can flare up and there have been several stabbings recently (last few months).
Jadallah our janitor bought me some ktayyif (pancakes with walnut baked in honey - I dislike the cheese ones) and they tasted real good. Shared with the community this morning at breakfast. They were picked clean. Also the Missionaries of Charity bought me shrak (thin large round bread) that I shared with the community. It was finished just as quickly. The sisters also wanted to buy 1 kg of guavas but the guy was nasty and wanted to sell only the whole pack which is 2 kgs. So the sisters bought it anyway and gave me 6. It's nice eating tropical fruit again. Here in Israel they're beginning to plant exotic fruit like guavas, lychee, mangoes and rambutan. Pretty expensive though.
Matthew my Indian classmate came back yesterday - had his operation and is better now. Also Sr. Vincenta is back to help in the kitchen. She was here several years back and her presence will help lighten the load for Sr Veronica who is running between the kitchen and the sacristy, and Sr Justina who's specialty is washing dishes only.
I think I'll go out and take a walk today even though my right ankle and calf hurt - need to get some fresh air outside of the Old City.
Another thought from Mother Teresa: "In loving [Jesus] we come more and more into that oneness with him, and we allow him to live his life in us. And this living of Christ in us is holiness."
Jadallah our janitor bought me some ktayyif (pancakes with walnut baked in honey - I dislike the cheese ones) and they tasted real good. Shared with the community this morning at breakfast. They were picked clean. Also the Missionaries of Charity bought me shrak (thin large round bread) that I shared with the community. It was finished just as quickly. The sisters also wanted to buy 1 kg of guavas but the guy was nasty and wanted to sell only the whole pack which is 2 kgs. So the sisters bought it anyway and gave me 6. It's nice eating tropical fruit again. Here in Israel they're beginning to plant exotic fruit like guavas, lychee, mangoes and rambutan. Pretty expensive though.
Matthew my Indian classmate came back yesterday - had his operation and is better now. Also Sr. Vincenta is back to help in the kitchen. She was here several years back and her presence will help lighten the load for Sr Veronica who is running between the kitchen and the sacristy, and Sr Justina who's specialty is washing dishes only.
I think I'll go out and take a walk today even though my right ankle and calf hurt - need to get some fresh air outside of the Old City.
Another thought from Mother Teresa: "In loving [Jesus] we come more and more into that oneness with him, and we allow him to live his life in us. And this living of Christ in us is holiness."
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Blessed are the pure of heart
The reading for Mother Teresa's Mass was the Beatitudes. Coincidentally there was a talk on it on EWTN that I was watching on my computer. There was a reflection on "Blessed are the Pure of Heart, they shall see God." I always regarded this as pure of heart on earth, "see God" is the reward in the future, in heaven. But the interpretation was: if you're pure of heart now, you shall see God now .... in those around you. It's like a veil has been lifted and you see God in the people and events all around you. This sounds so much like Mother Teresa, who because she was pure in heart, could see God in the poorest of the poor; and served them as she would serve God.
So how about that for your reflection?
Meantime the ankle is still hurting and there is a soreness extending up from my ankle to calf. Couldn't see Dr. ben Daniel yet as it's Friday today.
So how about that for your reflection?
Meantime the ankle is still hurting and there is a soreness extending up from my ankle to calf. Couldn't see Dr. ben Daniel yet as it's Friday today.
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