anti-climax

The highly-expected rains forecast this week never came ... well almost. We had a couple of days drizzle, that's it. My Jewish friend Eli the scribe asked me "What kind of a Holy land is this? What kind of a Promised Land? No rain! No blessing! We are cursed!" That sort of sums up what everyone is feeling.

And the highly-expected release of Schalit never took place (nor the 980 Palestinian prisoners released). Talk about a week of anti-climaxes.

Let's turn to the Scriptures for some Good News. We're into the 2nd week of Advent, and at the threshold of the 3rd week. The sense of expectation is there, that somehow God will intervene in our history and reverse the destruction we're bringing upon ourselves. And we know he did ... in a very anti-climatic way - born as a helpless baby in a manger in Bethlehem.

So ... what do we learn? That anti-climaxes play an important role in life and shaping history ... you just never know: the lousiest setback might just be a blessing in disguise. So watch your next step!

Thanks

Thanks for the swift response to Abdel Masih's mother:

Edith Cheung, Letty and May.

Thanks also to Faith Tours (S'pore) that organised a collection of daily necessities for the poor here in the Holyland.

Bad News

Received some bad news from Fr. Vincenzo in Musky. The mother of baby Abdel Masih (see photo on right column) will probably die while carrying her unborn baby. Please help in anyway you can ... prayers and financially for her operation and care for her babies.

".... Unfortunately I some some bad news. Last month the mother of Abdel Masih returned to her home village to visit her parents. There she suffered a heart problem. She was sent to hospital and put into intensive care.

I visited her at the Italian hospital several days ago. I spoke with her doctor. She has no chance of living if she is not operated on immediately.

The doctors decided to wait 2 months for her baby to be born, then she will be operated. The chances of her surviving is 50%."

Do something beautiful for Christmas, help a dying woman and her unborn baby. You can contact me or Fr Vincenzo directly.

2nd Sunday of Advent

The anticipated rains did not come. We're still waiting. Heavy storms we're told .... let's wait and we'll see.

Meantime more rumours are circulating that Gilad Schalit will soon be released. It must be terrible to be his parents worrying about his safety. It should never happen to anyone ... friend or enemy.

And Amir Khan (muslim) did it again ... whammo and slammed Salita (Jewish) into history. Like the report says, Khan is a pound for pound killer. I think the boxing ring will see more stuff from him in the coming years ... but also foresee early retirement. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/12/05/boxing.amir.khan.salita/index.html

We begin the 2nd week of Advent, with readings foretelling the promise of God's loving care coming to fulfillment. I certainly hope your Advent is an experience of God's loving care. Have you actually sat back and counted your blessings? No really ..... I mean it. Just take 15 minutes off whatever you're doing and write down the things you should be thankful for.

Better

There's forecast for a very wet Monday and Tuesday next week. I certainly hope so. We need the rain.

The computer seems to be playing up again ... not getting started, closing off windows automatically .... Must check to see if there's a virus.

My asthma is alot better compared to last week. The bloat is less, but the swollen joints are still around.

The sisters of St Vincent de Paul and Mother Teresa thank you all for your generous gifts to their orphans and needy. I'll post a message from them in the next blog. Watch this space!

Today

Pretty tense today when a group of Jewish tourists came out of the Western Wall Tunnel - the exit is directly in front of our monastery gates - and arabs boys began to throw stones at them. Security began chasing the boys ... luckily no one shot. I was in the street at that time and had to duck into the door of Ecce Homo convent to avoid the stones and possible gunfire.

Meantime attacks on christians continue - Jews who believe in Jesus call themselves "messianic Jews" rather than Christians as the term is derogatory among Jews.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1259243066926&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

I was feeling quite upset living in such a violent and anti-Christian place ... when I met my jewish scribe friend Eli who brought back the wonder, awe and specialness of living in the Holyland. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Ripped off

So my mobile was stolen in Greece this summer. Got a replacement but the store preset it to break down within 4 months. Didn't know that ... when went back to the store that offered to "replace" the s"spoilt" one. Ended up paying US$200 more for the replacement and found out I lost all my information like phone numbers, credit, messages etc. RIPPED OFF.

3 Chinese windchimes were sent to me. Cost no more than US$10 total. Israeli Customs and Excise wants me to pay US$100 tax for them. Our lawyers fought to get them released. Ended up paying the US$100. RIPPED OFF.

I'm so no good at this game called "life". People are constantly taking advantage of my ignorance and fear to make money. Easy victim, easy prey. But there is a God that sees and punishes.

Da pacem Domine in diebus nostris, quia non est alius. Qui pugnet pro nobis, nisi tu deus noster. (ancient hymn .. try and figure it out).