Winter

Cold winter evenings

Though the rains have stopped, temp continue to plummet. It's been around 12 degrees these few mornings. Next week it'll drop to 10 degrees. And the rains will return. It will be dreadful for our christians in Gaza as there is no heating or warm clothing for them. Hopefully with the ceasefire there will at least be some food and water. Do keep praying for them.

The sun sets early ... by 4.30pm it's dark. Lights shine on the City walls and a golden glow envelopes the outside of the Old City. It's beautiful. But few people are out to enjoy it. Whether it's the cold, the war, the local tensions, people just stay indoors. We hear there're outbreaks of respiratory diseases around the world ... and many are avoiding crowded places. We don't want another Covid scenario. I've been coughing a lot these past week. not feeling too good. Easily tired.

It's a year since my heart treatment. I am due for a check up with my cardiologist. There's a series of tests I must do before I see him. Hopefully I can get it done next week. Meantime 2 of our Indian sisters in the convent are suffering from slipped disks. They're out of action. I'll try to help out in the kitchen when I can. I'm out at work most of the day and return home in the evenings so there's not much help I can offer.

Cold

The Empty Tomb

The rains continue to come. At times drizzle, at times showers. The wind is strong and gusty. And cold. This morning was 11 degrees. Winter blankets and heaters are coming out of their boxes and closets. In the streets, umbrellas are everywhere ... a rare sight. Much as I didn't want to, I walked to work this morning in the drizzle in a raincoat. Just 50 m from our door it started raining heavily. I walked to the MC convent to borrow and umbrella. Walking up the stairs for 800m carrying 2 bags and an umbrella ... it was not easy. And with my heart problem ... well it was a major struggle.

Exhausted from work ... with my first class at 4am ... I'm going to hibernate. With 2 small heaters on. It's like 10 degrees right now. My only dislike is the freezing cold water in the taps tomorrow morning when I wash my face. Every winter is the same problem ... the water boilers (solar powered) don't work and we're left with freezing cold water every morning. Well I really should be grateful. In Gaza our Christians don't even have water.

Rain

Our christians sheltering in our
parish church in Gaza

 The winter rains have come. It drizzled for 2 days last week. Then the night temp kept falling. Last night was 13 degrees. Yesterday saw more drizzle and scattered showers. Today heavy showers. Normally I'd rejoiced ... as would many others. The land is parched from this year's several heatwaves. The rains will clean the air and saturate the earth. It is good.

Well actually no. Actually I'm praying for it to stop raining. I'm thinking of the Gazans ... without shelter, heating, winter clothes ... they'll die of cold in this weather. As it is there is not enough food and water. Few want to shelter in buildings as they'd be targeted by missiles. So sheltering in the open is the only alternative ... and rain is not good.

Holy Sepulchre church ... empty

Our christians are still holding out in our parish church there. Once in a while electricity returns and they quickly send out messages that they are alright. Let's continue to pray for them.

While life is back to normal in Jerusalem, the absence of tourists is felt severely. Most shops and restaurants are closed. So are hotels and churches. However there're still several groups of Indonesian christians coming. I've met them in the streets here and spoken with them. They're very upbeat and positive despite not being able to visit Bethlehem and Jericho. I wish more groups would do the same.

Mass

Mass inside the Empty Tomb

The weather has truly turned wintry. Sunset at 4.30pm. It gets dark very early and quickly. And temp fall to 16 degrees. Though there's no need for heaters, a hoodie and thick trackpants are needed to stay warm at night.

I've gone haywire in my memory again. Took my morning medication in the afternoon and the afternoon in the morning. Mixing days and schedules. I'm trying to rest as much as possible. Hopefully the confusion will clear away. Anyway it's a year since my surgery. Time to visit the cardiologist for a checkup.

With churches quite empty of groups except for Indonesians ... there's been several groups now visiting ... we were told to go celebrate Masses at the different sanctuaries to keep the prayers going. I booked for a Mass in the Empty Tomb and celebrated Mass this morning for all your intentions - both living and dead.

We continue praying for the sisters, priests and our catholics in the war zone. Hopefully they will receive some food and water soon. 

Already?

Christmas goodies
on sale

 The streets remain quiet and few people venture out unless for urgent and   necessary business. Police are everywhere, stopping and searching everyone. It's   tense just to go out but I must go to work. No avoiding it. Yesterday there was a   stabbing attack and that caused more problems with road closures, public   transport halted, City Gates closed. We don't want trouble. Life is hard as it is,   with this war going on.

 Several days back there was rain ... actually a steady shower for most of the day.   It was good. The land is parched and dry. Dust in the air. The rain washed away   and cleared everything. It gave a sense of freshness and renewal. And the plants are flourishing.

The economy is not good and many shops that usually start selling Christmas things are not opened. George who runs our little grocery has however started a small section of Christmas goodies. The panettone are much smaller hence cheaper. In fact all the goodies are much smaller to fit the budget of a poorer people. There'll be a little cheer this Christmas ... not much. But we try. In this dark days, we try to smile. The droning of fighter planes above remind us of reality. We try to distract ourselves but the shock and pain of the war are too deep to be removed from our minds and hearts. Still we smile ... not for ourselves but for others; to give them a little hope and encouragement to go on.

Song

It's been difficult these few days. Jerusalem is calm and the weather is cool and balmy, like autumn should. But the news from the war zone is making everyone feel hopeless. Almost half the population of northern Gaza has been killed. Soon there will not be enough people to even reconstruct and form a social community anymore.

I received news that the sisters in our parish received some food and that would eleviate the hunger from the christians sheltering in our parish. They made a video of them praying with some of the parishioners on the Day of Prayer (Oct 27) as called by the Pope. We fasted rigorously and prayed. But God doesn't seem to listen. It's very sad. Families with only one or two members left.

Hre is a clip with the sisters sent of their prayer for peace

Stromata

We continue to fast and pray for peace and justice. This Friday the Pope has called for another day of prayer and fasting for peace in the Holy Land. More than anyone else in the world, we here in the Holy Land feel especially obliged to implore the mercy and compassion of God. But we need the support and solidarity of the Church outside as well.

Grocery shops open

Essential shops still continue to function. People need to eat and take their medicines. Today schools officially open again. The streets are full of school children. Parents go out to buy essentials. Masses and religious gatherings resume.

But still there's a palpable tension in the air. People speak in lowered voices. No one wants to draw attention. 

Food prices however have gone up. It's very expensive now so we keep to simple food. It is good to remind ourselves of the general poverty around us, and to show solidarity with them. There's no better time than now.