Yesterday was the feast of O. L. of the Rosary; and Bro. Rosario's feastday. It was a simple celebration with Mass and a lovely lunch (seafood spaghetti) but without a cake. I only eat whole-grain pasta which I buy and it went well with the seafood sauce. Khalil our cook is really good at his stuff.
And we said goodbye to Sr. Aquila (spelt Akwila in polish) who left the Holyland for good after a 6 mth stay and service. She is a seamstress in her congregation but came to work as sacristan because of a shortage of sisters. We were good friends even though we couldn't communicate - she speaks only polish and I don't. Bye bye Sr Aquila!
Yesterday witnessed a rare funeral - of 11 Torah scrolls. A fire started from a short-circuit and burnt the Ark that held the scrolls in a synagogue. The Jews revere God's Word so much, the burnt scrolls cannot be discarded but must be given a proper funeral. http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=190608 . 25,000 people came to pray and bury the torahs. I wonder if christians hold as much reverence for their bibles.
School has officially started today. But some of us who are researching have worked all through the hot summer, it makes no difference if school has started because it never ended.
The weather has changed ... alot colder in the nights. Some trees have already began shedding their leaves. And the autumn harvest of fruit are quite delightful - lots of peaches and nectarine; the figs are in their last leg and mandarins are just coming into season (terribly sour).
Today we celebrated the feast of St Faustina - actually it should have been yesterday but it was postponed for a day. As no one celebrated the feast yesterday, I decided to buy a cheesecake from English Cake in the New City for the sisters (they're from the Faustina congregation). Wonder of wonders! English Cake sells cakes and cookies for diabetics. The lady there was very kind and spent 15 minutes showing me all the goodies for diabetics and I was impressed. And guess what? Buy one, get another for half price. So I got a blueberry cheesecake and a normal cheesecake for the sisters ... and a marble cake for myself!!!! The sisters were very very appreciative ... they had a small party at tea time and ate the cheesecakes.
Matthew came home after 6 months away in Germany and everywhere else. I wonder if he'll be able to finish his thesis this year. We really need to work hard this year ... once we get our rooms done up that is ..... yup ... problems week after week with the local workers who never show up. This time my shower cubicle is paid for but not set up because the guy says he's "Jewish and will not work for a christian". So give me back my money!!!!!!!
When the american pastor proposed to burn korans, the whole world slammed condemnation and islamic movements threatened retaliation, and there was general distress if not panic if it went ahead. But a mosque did get burn here a day ago by alleged Jewish settlers, and korans did get burn here .... but you don't hear those same voices protesting. So where are they? Why are they silent? Because they know that the Israelis will not react like Christians ... who turn the other cheek, who see virtue in suffering; the Israelis will fight back tooth and claw .... hence the silence from the neighbouring arab nations, from the west, from those who made alot of noise a month ago. And therefore it is even more significant that several rabbis actually went to the muslim village in which the mosque was burnt, and offered solidarity, and replaced the korans.
A day to recall how a rich young man, pampered with the good life and encrusted with wealth, decided to leave everything and become a beggar. He wanted to follow Lady Poverty. He wanted to live the Gospel. He was disowned by his family; derided by his townsfolk; scorned by his peers; suspected by the Church ... and all he ever wanted was to be free like the birds of the air, to be joyful and thankful for the little things in life. To be simple, unencumbered and Christ-like. Watch this bit from the film "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" by Zeffirelli - the moment of Francis' conversion from riches to a beggar. It makes you think of your own priorities in life.
Sadly on the feastday of our Saint of Peace, more violence in the Holyland. Jewish settlers are suspected of burning a mosque in the West Bank. Tensions are high. Then clashes between secular and ultra-orthodox Jews because the latter want segregated streets and public transport for men and women. Parts of the ultra-orthodox district has been cordoned off and traffic restricted. In the light of all these disturbances, it is good to hear from voices from the Israeli side speaking candidly of their (in)experience during the wars that caused so much lost of lives. http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/we-were-supposed-to-enter-quietly-instead-we-threw-grenades-1.317038 But I would add, this is only half the story. Let's hear some brave voices from the Palestinian side of the horrors they caused. All the fear and suspicion that lies at the root of these wars; the attachment to property and material goods the source of all these unhappiness; all the so-called technology and philosophy to justify self-interest over others .... why? why? look at the birds of the air ... they are content with only little and yet they are joyful and free.
From the same film, Francis and his beggars meet the Pope (part 1).
Yesterday I had the chance to see a bit of a very wonderful children's video called "The Miracle Maker - the story of Jesus". The scenes are drawn from exactly what exist here archaeologically. Those of you who have been to the Holyland will recognise many of the places reconstructed. It's well researched and well presented, but i don't agree totally with some of the script as it's vague in some places regarding theology. Nevertheless it's a splendid movie event - a clay animation. Fabulous. Something as a christmas gift. Watch the trailer. http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi4008706329/ or the full movie (in segments) on Youtube.
Tonight begins the Transitus of St Francis - the celebration of his passing from life into eternal life. It will be a very crowded affair. Let's recall how the Poor Man who gave up everything to be a begger, changed the lives of millions down the centuries. By having nothing, he gained everything. Tonight we celebrate the begger saint.
Another day of tensions. There were helicopters flying in the early morning (3am) that woke us up. Arabs are still protesting in commemoration of the killing of 13 youths 10 yrs ago on this day. Police presence in the Old City is stepped up.
Today we also celebrate the feast of the Guardian Angels. How we need their help here in this land.
I've finally figured out why I get terribly sick once in a while. I think it's the reaction between the medicine I take (Norvasc and Simvastatin) and grapefruit juice that is served daily for our meals. I'll have to stop drinking it (once in a while ... I prefer Coke though!!! but it's off limits). Anyway the Jewish holidays are over so I'll be making my appointment to see the dermatologist and get my melanoma removed. Guardian angel, help!!!!!
Today was a tense Friday. The arabs are commemorating the 10th anniversary of the killing of 13 teenagers that sparked the 2nd Intifada. Small protests around the country had taken place and today a general strike was called. Military presence in the Old City was pretty visible.
Also today another commemoration - the feast of St Therese of Lisieux. And today we also celebrated the 50th anniversary of profession of our dean. He's caught a cold but we celebrated it nonetheless with a simple lunch and lots of well-wishes. He and I also telephoned Fr Buscemi in Rome because it's his birthday.
I've been feeling pretty down since yesterday so before lunch I took a slow walk to the New City. Am feeling better from the diarrhea but very listless and tired. Needed some fresh air. Got some spray to stop the cat from pooing in our flowerpots, then bought some whole-grain biscuits and mint-water. It was very hot and the walk was terrible. Met the MC sisters along the way and followed them to their home to get some info. They are always very nice. They did some washing for me last week.
Today's reading from Job is God's enigmatic answer to why a good man must suffer. Still grappling with that. Not easy.
Yesterday witnessed a rare funeral - of 11 Torah scrolls. A fire started from a short-circuit and burnt the Ark that held the scrolls in a synagogue. The Jews revere God's Word so much, the burnt scrolls cannot be discarded but must be given a proper funeral. http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=190608 . 25,000 people came to pray and bury the torahs. I wonder if christians hold as much reverence for their bibles.
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