Japan, once the greatest Asian power, has sunk to its knees. From the earth to the sea to the sky - the apocalyptic disasters have shaken the country, the region and the world. People here are referring to the 3 beasts of the Apocalypse - one from the sky, another from the sea and the last from the earth (read it if you haven't yet). No need for dramatics or hysteria. But it sure adds fuel to apocalyptic imaginations.
Civil unrest has now spread to Syria, the last arab stronghold in our region that had so far escaped demonstrations. The chain is complete - from the whole of north Africa to Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon; down to Saudi Arabia into Yemen and the UAE. Israel is now surrounded: she must stay strong now as the only bulwark of stability in our region.
Meantime personal tsunamis continue to batter the lives of the poor Christians in our region. A coptic church was burnt in Cairo a week back and the following protest saw a dozen Copts dead. Families continue to struggle to make a living. In your Lenten spiritual journey, don't forget them. Say a prayer and offer alms to help your fellow Christians in the Holyland. http://holylandassist.blogspot.com
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
St. Therese's relic arriving tomorrow
1st day after the staples were taken out. The wounds itch so terribly and last night unthinking, I scratched the one on the side - wow, it hurt and bled a little. I'm still on my diet. It's getting pretty boring.
By the way, the nuns who didn't know how to cook fish porridge with only fish and rice are not the ones working in our kitchen. This should answer all your questions.
And the mysterious old man with long white hair and beard and big crazy eyes who opened my room door twice at midnight while I was in hospital (first night after surgery); well, there's no stopping all the speculations coming through the email. Let me tell you that I never thought twice about it until the day after. A bit scary ..... I like the one which said " .. staring death in the face twice ... " Actually I shouted in his face twice: in hebrew "What do you want?" and arabic "Get out!" - not knowing what language he understood. Actually those were the only languages I could think of speaking (not even english or italian!!!) while under the influence of anesthesia and deep sleep. LOL
Today the largest rally to take place in Gaza took place. Inspired by the demonstrations around our region, the Palestinians rallied to call for political unity - Gaza being under Hamas while the rest of the Palestinian Territory is under Fatah. It raised alarms in the Old City - lots of police, soldiers and cavalry.
The local Church is all excited because the relic of St. Therese of Lisieux has arrived. Tomorrow at 4.30pm there will be a solemn procession to welcome the relic from Jaffa Gate to the Patriarch's co-Cathedral.
By the way, the nuns who didn't know how to cook fish porridge with only fish and rice are not the ones working in our kitchen. This should answer all your questions.
And the mysterious old man with long white hair and beard and big crazy eyes who opened my room door twice at midnight while I was in hospital (first night after surgery); well, there's no stopping all the speculations coming through the email. Let me tell you that I never thought twice about it until the day after. A bit scary ..... I like the one which said " .. staring death in the face twice ... " Actually I shouted in his face twice: in hebrew "What do you want?" and arabic "Get out!" - not knowing what language he understood. Actually those were the only languages I could think of speaking (not even english or italian!!!) while under the influence of anesthesia and deep sleep. LOL
Today the largest rally to take place in Gaza took place. Inspired by the demonstrations around our region, the Palestinians rallied to call for political unity - Gaza being under Hamas while the rest of the Palestinian Territory is under Fatah. It raised alarms in the Old City - lots of police, soldiers and cavalry.
The local Church is all excited because the relic of St. Therese of Lisieux has arrived. Tomorrow at 4.30pm there will be a solemn procession to welcome the relic from Jaffa Gate to the Patriarch's co-Cathedral.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Lent appeal
Have been feeling poorly the last few days. Finally I was out on my long journey to Nazareth at 6am this morning. Hospital was ready for my removal of the 9 staples holding up the wounds. Pretty painful. The two nurses were laughing each time I winched and the superior Fr Blaise kept saying "Offer it to God". The sister-in-charge told me I'm not ready to take normal food yet - at least for the next two weeks. Thanks to the Vancouver C.C. gift, I was able to pay the US$250 taxi ride to Nazareth and back.
I know all the attention of the world is focussed on Japan and your generosity is tuned to helping the survivors. However we still have the hungry and poor here in the Holyland. And in this Lenten season I'm trying to raise finds for two causes: the nursing tuition fees of Sr. Jina and the repairs for the nurses' home at Holy Family Hospital where I was treated. Let's consider this as "care for the carers". By providing means to gain a nursing degree, Sr. Jina will be able to help more poor and needy coming to the hospital. (See http://holylandassist.blogspot.com ) Her university fees is US$4.000. And I personally saw the house where some nurses are living within the hospital quarters - utterly ruined with no proper shower and a barely functioning kitchen. These nurses are consecrated to work for the hospital, many remain unmarried in order to fulfill their vocation. The amount needed for the repairs is US$8,500. I'm sure in the spirit of Lent, you will find a place in your heart to help these carers who need our care.
The Lent rigours are in place. Each Saturday at midnight, we go to the Holy Sepulchre to pray the Liturgy of the Readings plus the procession with candles around the Empty Tomb. Masses begin immediately at about 1am and lots of people attend. Will try to attend the Vigil this coming Saturday and pray for you all - especially the benefactors of my appeal.
I know all the attention of the world is focussed on Japan and your generosity is tuned to helping the survivors. However we still have the hungry and poor here in the Holyland. And in this Lenten season I'm trying to raise finds for two causes: the nursing tuition fees of Sr. Jina and the repairs for the nurses' home at Holy Family Hospital where I was treated. Let's consider this as "care for the carers". By providing means to gain a nursing degree, Sr. Jina will be able to help more poor and needy coming to the hospital. (See http://holylandassist.blogspot.com ) Her university fees is US$4.000. And I personally saw the house where some nurses are living within the hospital quarters - utterly ruined with no proper shower and a barely functioning kitchen. These nurses are consecrated to work for the hospital, many remain unmarried in order to fulfill their vocation. The amount needed for the repairs is US$8,500. I'm sure in the spirit of Lent, you will find a place in your heart to help these carers who need our care.
The Lent rigours are in place. Each Saturday at midnight, we go to the Holy Sepulchre to pray the Liturgy of the Readings plus the procession with candles around the Empty Tomb. Masses begin immediately at about 1am and lots of people attend. Will try to attend the Vigil this coming Saturday and pray for you all - especially the benefactors of my appeal.
Friday, March 11, 2011
1st Friday of Lent
Death in Japan as the earthquake and tsunami takes its toll. Death in Libya as pro-Gadhafi forces attack freedom fighters. Death in other Arab countries as protests are met with military offensive. Death in China as the earthquake claims lives. First Friday of Lent, we begin the Way of the Cross and we are surrounded by death. Today I too died.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Snow
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/storm-brings-snow-to-north-but-fails-to-reach-jerusalem-1.348337
Yesterday
Ash Wednesday. The liturgy was long. I decided to go down for the liturgy. Fr Buscemi and Matthew stood on my left and right to help me stand up and sit down. It was exhausting and my torso was still hurting. But the liturgy went on well. Had to rest for the remaining part of the day.
And if you still didn't know - they removed my gallbladder as well. Today the pain is much reduced. I'm able to walk longer distances. The nightmare of feeling the pain when being cut up under little anesthesia is still haunting me. That must be what one feels when he is stabbed and left dying. Cold metal burning in the viscera.
Yesterday's tempest was one of a kind. So much rain and wind. Very cold as well. We're expecting snow in Jerusalem ... fingers crossed. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=211535 In fact at 4pm there was hail falling. Most of the flowers were damaged. One canary died and the rest are shivering from the cold.
I still don't understand why news agencies still refer to the Libyans (or other uprisings in the region) as "rebels" when they are "freedom fighters". The politics of language is vital in psychological warfare and by calling "rebels", the news agencies are legitimizing the regimes.
Menu for today: salad with milk and yoghurt.
And if you still didn't know - they removed my gallbladder as well. Today the pain is much reduced. I'm able to walk longer distances. The nightmare of feeling the pain when being cut up under little anesthesia is still haunting me. That must be what one feels when he is stabbed and left dying. Cold metal burning in the viscera.
Yesterday's tempest was one of a kind. So much rain and wind. Very cold as well. We're expecting snow in Jerusalem ... fingers crossed. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=211535 In fact at 4pm there was hail falling. Most of the flowers were damaged. One canary died and the rest are shivering from the cold.
I still don't understand why news agencies still refer to the Libyans (or other uprisings in the region) as "rebels" when they are "freedom fighters". The politics of language is vital in psychological warfare and by calling "rebels", the news agencies are legitimizing the regimes.
Menu for today: salad with milk and yoghurt.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Do something meaningful for Lent
As the season for conversion and repentance begins, let your hearts turn with compassion to the Christian children in Cairo who need food, lodging and education; or needy Christian families in the Holyland who cannot pay for their children's education; support the work of religious sisters and priests who provide care and shelter for the sick, abandoned and orphaned.
Do something meaningful this Lent. A humbled, contrite heart that shows compassion to the orphan, widow and poor is a sweet sacrifice. Go to http://holylandassist.blogspot.com and see what you can do. Every little bit helps. No offering is too small.
Do something meaningful this Lent. A humbled, contrite heart that shows compassion to the orphan, widow and poor is a sweet sacrifice. Go to http://holylandassist.blogspot.com and see what you can do. Every little bit helps. No offering is too small.
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