3rd Sunday of Lent

It's 1.50am. Just got back from Vigils at the Holy Sepulchre. There were more friars but less people tonight. But we managed to sing through the psalms and canticles. And also an impressive procession around the Tomb of Christ. Some of my students were present. Good to see younger people joining in the prayers.

The Custos presided at the Vigils and also at the Mass following it. Because this week it's the Greeks' turn to solemnly celebrate Lent in the Holy Sepulchre, the Custos had to celebrate Mass inside our Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament instead of Mt. Calvary. Most of the priests present went to concelebrate with him. But I went to the Crusaders' Chapel and celebrated Mass alone. There in the 12th century hall that is now a chapel, I remembered all of you - family, friends, students, benefactors, living and deceased - when I celebrated Mass. It took some time remembering everyone, but I was alone so I could spend that time.

I'll do some work now as I don't feel sleepy. But it'll hit me like a tonne of bricks later in the day.

Meantime reports everywhere that a religious war will start if the violence in the mosque continues. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1154437.html 
http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=170331
The muslims claim that Israeli police entering the mosque is desecrating a holy place. Well, what do they say when muslims covertly come to Mass and receive communion, then spit it out and take photos of it? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8553493.stm 

The day after violence

Yesterday's violence was severe enough to draw the attention of the UN who put out a statement of warning.
http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=170331
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1154404.html

Now the muslims around my area are warning that March 15-16 will be a date to watch out - bigger violence.

But yesterday was also Friday - fasting day. I had a half cup of coffee in the morning and nothing till 4.30pm when I broke the fast. Praveen fasted too but I didn't see him around. I had a plate of rice and lentils (typical lent food) and a glass of water.

Tonight I'll go to the Vigils at the Holy Sepulchre and pray for you all.

Well, just for the update, one computer is totally out of action - thanks to Gina D's VIP song! Repairing another because I don't know what happened but it's blocking my thesis. What to do? I have to leave a computer in the library for my work, but sometimes people use it without my knowledge and it gets infected.

Healthwise my asthma is under control thanks to the medicines you've sent me. But my knees and feet are painful and swollen. Lenten penance I guess.

The Good Friday Collection

Do something meaningful this Lent - help the poor in the Holyland. Spread this video to your friends!

Violence

Violence broke out in the Temple Mount at muslim noonday prayers. Youths were pelting rocks at the Jews praying at the Wailing Wall below. Soldiers fired stun guns. The fighting then spilt out of the mosque into the streets - no guesses which street .... ours. I was on my way home from work when Christian arabs told me not to go back home. There's problem in the mosque, they kept saying. Anyway I continued down to the 5th Station to see what was happening. Muslim men were gathering at that corner, looking at the 3rd Station angle. I squeezed my way around them and as I approached my monastery I could see the road was rather deserted. Several shop-keepers told me to hurry as there'll be problems anytime. Helicopters were flying directly over my head. I could see lots of soldiers rather down the road towards St Anne's Church (Bethesda Pool) and youths throwing rocks at them. Then I got a phone call to say the Way of the Cross is cancelled because of the violence in the streets and I was to inform everyone waiting at our gate about this. Then came a second call from another official telling me the same. So I stood at the gate for 2 and a half hours telling people the WoC was cancelled and made sure the street violence didn't spill into our courtyard.

I am tired. The people living around here are tired. Tired of the tension and fighting and shooting. Even the muslim shopkeepers whom I know well just shake my hands as I pass by and shake their heads. There's nothing much to say .... we know what each other is thinking and feeling.

Bad news Thursday

Now it's Taiwan that's rocked by an earthquake. This is getting global - this earthquake. And it's gonna hit Israel as predicted. I'm preparing my survival pack. If you guys have dynamo-operated torches (flashlights) - not the battery-operated types - pls send them over as Mother Theresa's sisters are asking me for help to prepare for the earthquake.

And don't try flying out of your country to escape it. The air control at the airport could be directed by just a child. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8547875.stm  Can you imagine that? Human lives in an airplane directed by a child? Where is America heading?

And Facebook is fun? An Israeli soldier actually posted his platoon secret operations on it - letting the whole world know the IDF is going to raid a [arab?] village. Thanks Facebook! http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/03/03/israel.raid.facebook/index.html  By the way, Israelis are the world's most frequent Facebook users... I think clocking over 1,000 hours a week.

Fr. Ludovico Reali R.I.P.

Another confrere passed away - Fr Ludovico Reali - yesterday morning in our infirmary. He was 87 yrs old and very weak. Fr. Ludovico had served in many capacities in the Custody during his long life and was known for his dedication and hardwork.

Personally he was a good friend whom I knew since I was a seminarian. He taught me how to be a good guide to pilgrims - responsible, spiritual, always respecting the Holy Places and bringing Christ to the people. We would sometimes meet and chat when he was retired from work. He was a very gentle and kind soul ... could be firm if needed. And he was always direct and to the point.

Dear Fr. Ludovico, rest in peace.

Calm

There were no riots in the Old City today, but the military grip was heavy. The City gates were closed off till I think after noon prayers at the mosque. It was practically impossible for any arab man to enter the City let alone the mosque. Even in the New City, the military presence was overwhelming. It's the Jewish feast of Purim and children dressed up in costumes went about reveling under heavy guard. Well they tried to enjoy but the weather proved too much.

The rains perhaps was the saving grace from more violence. It beat down and the wind was blustering cold. It made sure people stayed indoors and not cause anymore trouble. Pitied the poor soldiers though, who had to stand guard in the rain and cold. In a word, it was a miserable day for most of us. The violence has got to stop. But no one dares to cradle this hope that has long proved elusive.

The 93 yr old widow of Moshe Dayan gave a biting interview in the papers. She says "We [Israelis] don't know how to make peace. We go from war to war and it will never end", and "We're a mob that can't even get along internally, so we're going to get along with them [Palestinians]?" Read all about it at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1152801.html 

Anyway my exhaustion is breaking me. More people today have remarked that I look totally broken and I think one has even gone to speak to the Custos to let me have a break from work. I am exhausted.