Aid Appeal

This Christmas, please share God's blessing with your fellow Catholics in the Holy Land. Make a difference in their desperation.  

"What you do unto the least of these my brothers, you do unto me"

MC convent bombed

Photo from 2022 the little 
babies cared by the MC sisters

MC convent on fire

Injustice

Nadia and Samer ... mother and daughter killed by snipers in the Catholic Church in Gaza

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May the rest in peace.

May divine justice prevail and may we live to see it

M. Teresa convent bombed, sniper kills 2 catholics, seven wounded

 

Weekend

Donuts this winter

It's the weekend again. I'm glad we had several days of drizzle. Hopefully next week it'll rain again. It'll raise the Sea of Galilee levels again. And maybe stave off a drought next year.

Sr. Kolbe of the MC sisters in Bethlehem transferred to Amman last week. She hardly is able to walk anymore and the war and closure of Bethlehem had made it difficult for her to have medical treatment. So once the border was partially opened, she was brought out to Jerusalem and transported to Amman where there are more sisters to care for her. We wish her all the best in her retiring years.

Our local Catholic hospital

The hospital dietician has put me on a new diet to to reduce my cholesterol and diabetes. It's more meals than I usually take but less in amount. I'm allowed rice once a day but only 1 cup.  No sugary foods and sodas and fruit juices. That means no winter donuts which I saw in our 24 hr bakery. Dinner is vegetable soup. Because of the frequency of meals, I don't actually feel hungry despite the small portions. I have 2 months to bring my cholesterol and blood sugar down. Tomorrow is another appointment with the cardiologist. Because my insurance covers my heart tests but in a different hospital quite far away and I have to wait in line, I prefer to do it at our local Catholic hospital. Less hassle, it's closer to home, but I have to pay 250 shekels. I guess it's worth it considering the transport fare I'd need to pay to get the insurance hospital.

Groups are back

Indonesian pilgrim group

The entire week was fluctuating between sunny and rainy. Temps fell to 10 degrees but has recently climbed to 16 degrees. Still people wear woollen clothes and hoodies to avoid the chill. The sun sets at 4.30pm and people prefer to stay indoors to avoid trouble. Security has been heavy especially starting today when the Jews celebrate their feast of Hanukkah. 

Christmas celebrations are played down this year. No public banners, trees or carols. It's a time of mourning for all the dead and injured. The solemn entrances of the Custos and the Patriarch into Bethlehem each Saturday of Advent is not a restricted event, low profile. No scouts, bands, bagpipes and processions. Even in our monasteries, there are no Christmas trees or lights. Just the statue of the Infant Jesus and some fresh flowers or poinsettias.

Cold rainy days

Nevertheless despite the exaggerated cancellations of flights and tour groups, the Indonesian pilgrims are the most resilient. Several groups continue to come each week, and see for themselves the pilgrim churches are unaffected by the war. A Singaporean group even came last week! We're hoping more groups will have the courage and faith to come this Christmas.

Full moon

Full moon

It has been raining for the past few days. Last night it was 9 degrees. It's cold. Winter clothes and blankets are out. Everyone is wearing hoodies. In a way this weather is much welcome. This past summer has been very dry. We had several heatwaves. The rains now have cooled the air. Wild plants are sprouting in the cracks of walls and pavements.

Last night the full moon was out. Because of the rain clouds, its been elusive. Coming home every evening (it gets dark by 4.30pm) I sometimes see it for a few seconds before the clouds hide it again. This hide-and-seek full moon creates a haunting atmosphere, especially when it is also cold and wet. And the empty silent streets tense from the war gives it an even more haunting feeling. 

And that's winter 2023. We hope it'll lead us peacefully to the end of the year and start 2024 on the right foot.

Rex Cordium

Rex Cordium

Today is the solemnity of Christ the king. And our chapel of the Flagellation / Coronation of the Crown of Thorns is the sacred place where this commemoration takes place. It's not a triumphant powerful king ... but as our tabernacle door depicts ... he is the king of hearts (Rex Cordium). The universality of his kingship is one of love through suffering.

In the midst of this tragic war, we pray that the King of sufferers will conquer the hardened hearts with love. Enough with war. Enough with violence. Enough with killings. Enough with vengeance. Human beings are the only animals that inflict pain out of hate and vengeance.