Tensions

Tensions are rising again in Jerusalem. Police and soldeirs everywhere - probably anticipating a riot by the ultra-orthodox because the "taleban mum" was charged this morning; or maybe today begins Fatah's first COngress in Bethlehem; but more probably because Sunday morning saw the forceful eviction of two Palestinian families from homes which were almost immediately taken up by Jewish settlers - it's in the quarter of Sheikh Jarrah less than a km. from Damascus Gate, right next to the American Colony hotel and very close to the Olive Tree hotel. It's a place we all know well. The St Joseph's Hospital is further up the hill. It was a horrific scene with the families' furniture thrown out onto the streets. Such violent eviction has even drawn condemnation from Israel's rightwing newspaper = http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1249275681082&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull And international condemnation was sounded, though not too loudly http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1104949.html and http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8180743.stm but I think this is a true test case to see how toothless the international community is in the face of Israel's policies. Haven't they learnt? Israel answers to no one except God who gave the Promised Land? East Jerusalem will be occupied by Jews in the next 8 years, and even probably ultra-orthodoxed.

And here's a very loud secular Zionist article against the ultra-orthodoxising of Israel - it paints a pretty scary picture http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1105066.html

I'm staying put at home because my left ankle is playing up again - all wrapped up still in an ankle guard. The pain can be quite sharp when I put my weight on it, so the best bet is stay in bed. Thank goodness my bleeding nose stopped. Maybe it's because I've been lying down alot.

Anyway it's back to studying again.

Cucumbers, melons, onions and leeks

It's been another very hot day ... and night. Hardly anyone could sleep well. And the muezzin last night gave a extra long chant on the minaret that woke everyone. Fireworks go on till midnight every night ... weddings. I think it's because Ramadan is coming soon and people need to marry before the fasting begins.

My ankle is in wraps most of the time now - it's constantly swollen and painful. Am using the ankle-guards and am trying my best not to walk too much. Mind you, I must have lost quite some weight because all my pants are alot more loose; and the dean who just got back from Italy yesterday asked if I was sick because he noticed the weight I lost.

Did some work and reading ... not easy with the heat and sweat ... and headache.

Anyway if you noticed the Mass readings, it's moving into the Book of Numbers with the story of the wanderings in the desert ... and all the complains about food. Funny but I would have thought they'd complain about the heat, like me here. So they want cucumbers, melons, onions and leeks .... in short they preferred food to freedom. Isn't it so typical of people today - to have the temporary luxury instead of longterm advantage? Cucumbers, onions, melons and leeks cannot substitute eternal life.

Thanks

Thanks to the following for their generous support for various causes here in the Holyland:
Yvonne Tsui, Mabel and Barnabas, Jeannie So, Irene Wong, Lee Hoi Sau, Vancouver Community and Paul Ng.

Sad future

For the past few weeks we've seen the acts of hatred between Orthodox and Secular jews through riots and attacks in the streets. Yesterday night we saw more of such hatred when a gunman machine-gunned a gay community centre in Tel Aviv killing 2. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1104624.html Someone said sadly that if they're not killing palestinians, then they're killing each other. It's very sad that Israeli society is heading this way of violence and disunity. The PM's words "I tell the Israeli people: We are a democratic country, we are a country of tolerance, a country of laws, and we must respect any person, whoever and wherever he is," ( http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1104611.html and http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1248277947062&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull ) must be backed up with real action, not just for Israelis but all who live in the Holyland, including Christians. I'm not sure if you know about the israeli couple's attack in the Nazareth basilica of the Annunciation 3 years ago http://www.westernresistance.com/blog/archives/001740.html and http://cosmos.ucc.ie/cs1064/jabowen/IPSC/php/art.php?aid=37176 (NOT firecrackers but bombs and incendiaries) and then the Catholic hero who defended the basilica was sent to jail while the perpetrators were released!!! http://www.imemc.org/article/55118

In memoriam

This week I remember my two good friends Daniel Cavero and James Lee who entered God's kingdom ... and many others this year and the last ... Karen Cheng, Sr Josephine, David Jeaffreson, Fr. Piccirillo, Fr. Theobald Diederich, my students Anita, Dominic and others who have gone so suddenly. It's been a flood of memories this week that kept crossing my mind day and night. I cannot forget them. To them, I offer a Mass tomorrow for their peace and eternal rest. And dedicate the most beautiful song ever composed - the Intermezzo from Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana ... the song I want played at my own funeral.

Thanks from Musky

OK so here's the clarification regarding the photo of the Musky children having a great time at the beach. Fr Vincenzo says the monastery organised this summer outing for 45 of the poorest children that come to our monastery. The entire outing was made possible through the donations from Hong Kong - that's you guys! Fr Vincenzo and the kids thank you all!

August 1st

The temperature dropped alittle last night and it was easier to sleep for all of us .... except for the fireworks that went on till midnight. Several were fired next to our house and they were loud.

The canaries have stopped producing fertile eggs so we're talking about putting them all back into the large cage. In total 7 babies survived, one escaped. Over 15 others died due to neglect. Fr Dobromir, our former superior, stopped over to see them in the afternoon.

Did some reading up but my headache (probably due to heat) was a big block. I'll see if I'm up to it to go to the Holy Sepulchre this evening and tomorrow morning to pray for you guys.