Another unsettling day as we receive news of 2,000 killed in Libya; and protests starting in Lebanon and Oman as well. The region is on fire. As Israel begins to lose Arab allies left and right (literally), it's beginning to find itself trapped at the negotiating table with Palestine. Even Europe is turning to support the left that is taking over the Arab nations; and Israel's rightist intransigence will be its own downfall unless an enlightened make-over is made.
It is terribly sad to read that racial hatred is still so tenaciously upheld here in the Holy City. Yes, arabs have killed/bombed Israelis. But now we read young Jews killing arabs because "they heard them speaking arabic". I think this is the only place in the world where one must be careful which language to speak when walking in which area and at what time. But there is always the ignorant, wise-guy tourist who will always flirt with death. Just two days ago I saw two Catholic priests/tourists escorting a group of America catholics in our church, wearing Jewish skullcaps and saying "shalom" to everyone they meet .... here, right in the heart of the muslim quarter. Muslim shopkeepers and christians around our area said if these two priests get beaten up by muslim fanatics along the way, they deserve it. Why can't they be proud to be Catholics? Why must they pretend to be Jewish? This is tantamount to apostasy. But christian tourists continue to do it anyway. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/teen-who-stabbed-arab-youth-in-jerusalem-indicted-for-manslaughter-1.346019
This morning our superior celebrated his 25th anniversary of priesthood. There was a solemn Mass at the Maronite chapel; our superior being a Lebanese Maronite. Then the Maronite bishop invited us all to lunch. It was a magnificent feast of simple Lebanese cuisine cooked by Lebanese nuns. A very delightful lunch and company, in a relaxed atmosphere ... with the regional turmoil far from our minds ... at least for that moment. Ad multos annos, Abounah Najib.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Distraction
You might have heard, read or seen in Youtube the famous UFO appearance over the Dome of the Rock Mosque on Jan. 28, 2011. If not, see http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/07/jerusalem-ufo-another-video-surfaces-to-spark-debate/
Well, the Dome is directly outside my window less than 300 metres away, and I sleep with my windowshades up; so if such a bright light had indeed appeared, it would have waken me up. But mind you, that doesn't explain several other events that I have seen with my own eyes in the skies over Jerusalem in the early mornings! Some of the other guys living here have seen them also and they say it's shooting stars. Anyway the attention given over this "UFO" is a (timely?) distraction over the fears and tension arising from the neighbouring political unrest. I won't bother over such hovering lights ... unless there's a bomb attached to it.
Well, the Dome is directly outside my window less than 300 metres away, and I sleep with my windowshades up; so if such a bright light had indeed appeared, it would have waken me up. But mind you, that doesn't explain several other events that I have seen with my own eyes in the skies over Jerusalem in the early mornings! Some of the other guys living here have seen them also and they say it's shooting stars. Anyway the attention given over this "UFO" is a (timely?) distraction over the fears and tension arising from the neighbouring political unrest. I won't bother over such hovering lights ... unless there's a bomb attached to it.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Unrest
The unrest in Libya has hit home. Yesterday Gaddafi not only accused Al Qaeda and Bin Laden of being the cause of the rebellion in Libya, he also accused Palestinians/Arabs. The Palestinian Authorities fear this might lead to a massacre of Palestinians who are living in Libya, numbering possibly a few thousand. The PA and Hamas have called other Arab countries to help Palestinians living in Libya to get out. And the accusation has only inflamed more anti-Gaddafi sentiments here in our country. I wonder what the Palestinians will do today during Friday prayers.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
From a friend
WOMEN WHO KNOW THEIR PLACE
Barbara Walters did a story on gender roles in Kabul , Afghanistan , several years before our involvement in the Afghan conflict.
She noted that women customarily walked five paces behind their husbands.
She recently returned to Kabul , and observed that women still walk behind their husbands. Despite the overthrow of the oppressive Taliban regime, the women now seem to, and are happy to, maintain the old custom.
Ms. Walters approached one of the Afghani women and asked, "Why do you now seem happy with an old custom that you once tried so desperately to change?"
The woman looked Ms. Walters straight in the eyes, and without hesitation said, "Land Mines."
No matter what language you speak or where you go, the moral of this story is:
BEHIND EVERY MAN, THERE'S A REALLY SMART WOMAN!
Barbara Walters did a story on gender roles in Kabul , Afghanistan , several years before our involvement in the Afghan conflict.
She noted that women customarily walked five paces behind their husbands.
She recently returned to Kabul , and observed that women still walk behind their husbands. Despite the overthrow of the oppressive Taliban regime, the women now seem to, and are happy to, maintain the old custom.
Ms. Walters approached one of the Afghani women and asked, "Why do you now seem happy with an old custom that you once tried so desperately to change?"
The woman looked Ms. Walters straight in the eyes, and without hesitation said, "Land Mines."
No matter what language you speak or where you go, the moral of this story is:
BEHIND EVERY MAN, THERE'S A REALLY SMART WOMAN!
Tensions rise
The situation in Libya is spiraling out of control. While BBC reports that 600 are dead, arabs in our streets are saying 10,000 were killed. Air attacks have been the main cause. The heat in our streets is rising ... yesterday several arabs in front of our house were yelling for the blood of Gaddafi. And as the pressure increases, Hamas - apparently from Gaza - fired rockets into Israel, hitting the city of Beer Sheva and destroying several buildings. Israel responded by bombarding Gaza. This is the first attack since 2 years. Let's hope it'll not escalate. Fingers crossed.
The weather has turned summer. Very unexpected and many people are falling sick because of this sudden change. Not at all helpful in this political climate.
This week's readings are from Sirach; wise sayings gleaned from years of life experience. It'll worth your while to read them even if only for 5 minutes. A little refreshment for your soul.
Check out http://holylandassist.blogspot.com for your donations to help the poor here in the Holyland.
Check out http://elwebcast.blogspot.com for the latest Bible and Holyland videos.
The weather has turned summer. Very unexpected and many people are falling sick because of this sudden change. Not at all helpful in this political climate.
This week's readings are from Sirach; wise sayings gleaned from years of life experience. It'll worth your while to read them even if only for 5 minutes. A little refreshment for your soul.
Check out http://holylandassist.blogspot.com for your donations to help the poor here in the Holyland.
Check out http://elwebcast.blogspot.com for the latest Bible and Holyland videos.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Yesterday's feast
Yesterday was the Feast of the Chair of Peter - an image of the Primacy or authority of Peter. The weather had surprised everyone: the day before was winter, cold and wet, yesterday it was summer, hot and sunny. I left early in the morning with the Custos to the Sea of Galilee. We went to the Church of the Primacy ("Tabgha") after a 2 hr drive to greet the superior and wish him a happy feastday. Then we went to Tiberias city for the festal Mass at the Church of St. Peter and the inauguration of Casa Nova Tiberias which is now runned by the Community of Koinonia of John the Baptist. A lovely buffet lunch was served to all who attended the event. Now visitors and pilgrims can live in the beautiful ambience of the Casa Nova directly next to the Sea of Galilee and right in the heart of Tiberias centre. The church of St Peter served as the centre of pilgrimage visits for many years until Capharnaum and Tabgha were excavated and themselves became pilgrimage centres. St. Peter's in Tiberias eventually fell into disuse until now. A statue of St Peter - identical to the one in the Vatican - is situated in the centre of the courtyard of the church and it's right toe is worn down by thousands of pilgrims who once came to touch it in commemoration and prayed - exactly like in the Vatican.
The violence in Libya is reaching boiling point as we listened yesterday in utter amazement at Gaddafi's televised call to his supporters to attack and kill the protesters. He has practically incited civil war. What is needed is more high level defections to convince the military not to attack. Otherwise more people will die. Morocca, Algeria, Yemen and Bahrain are facing more protests. Practically the whole of the Arab world east to Israel is shaken by internal revolt - to the west of Israel, Jordan is in political tremors but the king is deftly managing the situation, to the south of Israel, Bahrain and Yemen is in turmoil. We stand in the middle of this political/social earthquake and fear the worse. When these arab countries try to unite its people and deflect home problems, they create an external common enemy - Israel. Nothing like attacking an enemy to unite the people, pull the economy together and reorganise itself. A war against Israel is quite likely in the coming future. We are praying it will not happen, but history seems to teach us a different lesson.
Let's pray for the victims of the New Zealand earthquake victims. There're still lots of people trapped under rubble. Hopefully all will be rescued. And there were earthquakes in the Philippines a short time later, and a Petaling Jaya (Malaysia) building shook, scaring people into the streets. What's happening to the world? And meantime a general strike is called throughout Greece after weeks of sporadic strikes by various sectors of its society. If you're visiting Greece, call it off. The airports will be closed. The country will be at a standstill.
The violence in Libya is reaching boiling point as we listened yesterday in utter amazement at Gaddafi's televised call to his supporters to attack and kill the protesters. He has practically incited civil war. What is needed is more high level defections to convince the military not to attack. Otherwise more people will die. Morocca, Algeria, Yemen and Bahrain are facing more protests. Practically the whole of the Arab world east to Israel is shaken by internal revolt - to the west of Israel, Jordan is in political tremors but the king is deftly managing the situation, to the south of Israel, Bahrain and Yemen is in turmoil. We stand in the middle of this political/social earthquake and fear the worse. When these arab countries try to unite its people and deflect home problems, they create an external common enemy - Israel. Nothing like attacking an enemy to unite the people, pull the economy together and reorganise itself. A war against Israel is quite likely in the coming future. We are praying it will not happen, but history seems to teach us a different lesson.
Let's pray for the victims of the New Zealand earthquake victims. There're still lots of people trapped under rubble. Hopefully all will be rescued. And there were earthquakes in the Philippines a short time later, and a Petaling Jaya (Malaysia) building shook, scaring people into the streets. What's happening to the world? And meantime a general strike is called throughout Greece after weeks of sporadic strikes by various sectors of its society. If you're visiting Greece, call it off. The airports will be closed. The country will be at a standstill.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Storm
We are being battered by a rain storm since early this morning. Gale force winds tear through the city and the rain is so heavy you cannot see 5 kms ahead. The streets are dreadfully slippery. Shops have closed early and very few people are in the streets. Unless you're crazy like me because I had to walk out 2 kms into the New City in this storm to get some photocopies done. Was soaked right through. The shopkeeper couldn't believe I walked through the storm just to get the photocopies and probably being the only customer for the day, he tried to charge me 5 shekels (almost US$1.20) a page! Daylight robbery.
Having experienced wet winters in the past, I'm preparing for blackouts in the city. That means getting candles and torchlights ready. It usually happens because the underground cisterns fill-up and cause short-circuits in the underground electrical system. In fact right now, the Internet wireless line is cut off. Have to connect with a line.
But the dry earth is quenched. The almond trees are soaking in the much needed water so it's first flowers may bloom. Anemones will begin to sprout in the wild, as well the cyclamen, poppies and mustard. It will be a lovely Spring. And it feels like winter again.
Having experienced wet winters in the past, I'm preparing for blackouts in the city. That means getting candles and torchlights ready. It usually happens because the underground cisterns fill-up and cause short-circuits in the underground electrical system. In fact right now, the Internet wireless line is cut off. Have to connect with a line.
But the dry earth is quenched. The almond trees are soaking in the much needed water so it's first flowers may bloom. Anemones will begin to sprout in the wild, as well the cyclamen, poppies and mustard. It will be a lovely Spring. And it feels like winter again.
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