Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Update
Have been busy with medical checkups this whole week - still am. Hypertension is already known, but now my suger level is found to be on the higher side (which explains why I get thirsty alot) and today we found there're things in my gallbladder and liver. I'm generally feeling very tired so am trying to rest alot these few days.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Prayers
The 2nd Bulldozer attack earlier this week in Jerusalem is reflecting the dire situation between Israeli and Palestinian peoples. It is extremely sad and we should be praying for them all. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7522347.stm
The unfortunate policeman who was shot last week about 50 metres where I stay has died. R.I.P. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7521592.stm
And when will all this end? When will there be peace?
The unfortunate policeman who was shot last week about 50 metres where I stay has died. R.I.P. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7521592.stm
And when will all this end? When will there be peace?
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Wonderful words of wisdom
Sr Christian Molidor works for the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) and sent me this lovely sharing:
CNEWA recently sent an appeal which stated that Jesus, Mary and Joseph were refugees....“Exiled to Egypt, penniless and alone, they depended on the charity of compassionate people.” I never thought of that. Later, I read a report from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees announcing that more than 4 million Iraqis have left their homes: 2.2 million have fled to neighboring countries, with the largest numbers in Syria (1.5 million people), Jordan (700,000 people), and Lebanon (50,000 people).
Those are just Iraqi refugees. Count the Holy Family (Well, they were already told there was no room at the inn…) among all the other refugees
and then….what happens? For me, the statistics blur into incomprehensible numbers, not touching me because I can’t understand the magnitude of this inhumanity. But I often try to reduce those numbing numbers into a voice I recall from a widow in a Jordanian refugee camp. She had nothing in her hut, but – obviously – an abundance in her heart.
I stupidly asked, “Wouldn’t it be great if we had all the money of a (named) famous rock star?” She calmly replied, “I have life. I have what I need. He hasn’t.”
So much for statistics!
CNEWA recently sent an appeal which stated that Jesus, Mary and Joseph were refugees....“Exiled to Egypt, penniless and alone, they depended on the charity of compassionate people.” I never thought of that. Later, I read a report from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees announcing that more than 4 million Iraqis have left their homes: 2.2 million have fled to neighboring countries, with the largest numbers in Syria (1.5 million people), Jordan (700,000 people), and Lebanon (50,000 people).
Those are just Iraqi refugees. Count the Holy Family (Well, they were already told there was no room at the inn…) among all the other refugees
and then….what happens? For me, the statistics blur into incomprehensible numbers, not touching me because I can’t understand the magnitude of this inhumanity. But I often try to reduce those numbing numbers into a voice I recall from a widow in a Jordanian refugee camp. She had nothing in her hut, but – obviously – an abundance in her heart.
I stupidly asked, “Wouldn’t it be great if we had all the money of a (named) famous rock star?” She calmly replied, “I have life. I have what I need. He hasn’t.”
So much for statistics!
HK blues
The pilgrimage of teachers and administrators of the Yau Ma Tei Catholic Schools ended with a lot of fun and jokes. They learned alot while on the trip that was specially tailored to suit their needs and ambitions. So it was a successful trip.
The flight back was wonderful - on a Boeing 777 - never rode on one before. It's a good choice for a long haul flight - spacious and comfortable. Hope all Far East flights on El Al will change to the 777 soon.
Arrived in HK to find the house without electricity, computer-servers' fuses blown, telephone central control blown, photo-copy machine blown, no water ..... it's like going to Gaza. Anyway the guys from the HK Electric are now trying to fix the electric cable leading into the house, while providing a temporary mobile generator. Other guys came to repair all the other things but they hinge on one vital thing - the electric cable. Wihtout electricity, all the equipment will blow again. So crossing lots of fingers here.
The Bookfair began today but I was too exhausted. Went for the inauguration only. Stayed back home trying to rest but got caught up with the repairing of all the equipment since no one was at home to follow them. It's going to be a long week.
The flight back was wonderful - on a Boeing 777 - never rode on one before. It's a good choice for a long haul flight - spacious and comfortable. Hope all Far East flights on El Al will change to the 777 soon.
Arrived in HK to find the house without electricity, computer-servers' fuses blown, telephone central control blown, photo-copy machine blown, no water ..... it's like going to Gaza. Anyway the guys from the HK Electric are now trying to fix the electric cable leading into the house, while providing a temporary mobile generator. Other guys came to repair all the other things but they hinge on one vital thing - the electric cable. Wihtout electricity, all the equipment will blow again. So crossing lots of fingers here.
The Bookfair began today but I was too exhausted. Went for the inauguration only. Stayed back home trying to rest but got caught up with the repairing of all the equipment since no one was at home to follow them. It's going to be a long week.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Pilgrimage
42 degrees! The pilgrims are still putting up a brave fight to visit the Holy Places despite the heat! We actually got to visit all the places we planned as well as a couple of bonuses - including walking down the Mt. of Beatitudes. It was a great expereince and no one regretted coming along.
Mt. Tabor was quite an expereince too. Many of the pilgrims became very involved with the Transfiguration text of St. Mark. They prayed , meditated and worshipped. It changed several lives .... literally.
Capharnaum, Korazim, Bethsaida, Geresa .... we visited them all, reading the relevant passages from the Gospel. It's good to see how each place spoke to different people, enlightening each one according to each person's stage in life and needs. This truly is the 5th Gospel - the Holyland! You guys should try and come at least once!
All good things must come to an end, so the pilgrims today will return to HK. But hopefully it's just a start to a new pilgrimage - the one that leads to heaven!
Mt. Tabor was quite an expereince too. Many of the pilgrims became very involved with the Transfiguration text of St. Mark. They prayed , meditated and worshipped. It changed several lives .... literally.
Capharnaum, Korazim, Bethsaida, Geresa .... we visited them all, reading the relevant passages from the Gospel. It's good to see how each place spoke to different people, enlightening each one according to each person's stage in life and needs. This truly is the 5th Gospel - the Holyland! You guys should try and come at least once!
All good things must come to an end, so the pilgrims today will return to HK. But hopefully it's just a start to a new pilgrimage - the one that leads to heaven!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Another week gone!
The weather has been holding up well but yesterday was incredibly hot - 42 degrees. We managed to see what we had planned but did it in a hurry as it was too hot to stay outdoors. The group of teachers that I'm guiding is very fun and we have sharings on the Bible passages and their vocation to teach several times a day.
It's a bit tough trying to get Internet access while living in a hotel because it has to depend on the price and also the free time that I have in between meals and bringing the group around. So hang on there, guys! The updates will be more frequent after tomorrow.
Don't forget to come to the Book fair in Hong Kong starting in a couple of days' time! We need help!
It's a bit tough trying to get Internet access while living in a hotel because it has to depend on the price and also the free time that I have in between meals and bringing the group around. So hang on there, guys! The updates will be more frequent after tomorrow.
Don't forget to come to the Book fair in Hong Kong starting in a couple of days' time! We need help!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Update.
It's been a couple days now that the blog wasn't updated. Am busy with a group. They're mostly teachers so our aim is to study the Gospel of Mark but in a pedagogical approach.
The weather is hot and the groups are not as many as in the previous months. Mostly italians and spanish. The Church of the Visitation (in Ein Kerem where Mary came to visit Elizabeth) is terribly difficult to reach now that they have dug up the entire road leading up (very steep hill) to the church.
However it was good to meet up with several old friends - friars that is - who are working in several of these sanctuaries. Today we go to the Dead Sea, Qumran and Jericho where we will celebrate Mass at our Church of the Good Shepherd. Then we will move on to Beth Shean (check out your Old Testament, guys!) and into Nazareth where we will spend 3 nights. Now don't you wish you were here????
Anyway in Nazareth we have free WiFi in the hotel so I don't have to pay. Right now I'm paying US$18 for 24 hours. A little expensive.
And I received all the stuff yu guys cared off with this group; also picked up some stuff left by the American group. All received and in good order! Thanks. OK will let you know tomorrow how the Dead Sea went..... in this 37 degree heat! Ouch!
The weather is hot and the groups are not as many as in the previous months. Mostly italians and spanish. The Church of the Visitation (in Ein Kerem where Mary came to visit Elizabeth) is terribly difficult to reach now that they have dug up the entire road leading up (very steep hill) to the church.
However it was good to meet up with several old friends - friars that is - who are working in several of these sanctuaries. Today we go to the Dead Sea, Qumran and Jericho where we will celebrate Mass at our Church of the Good Shepherd. Then we will move on to Beth Shean (check out your Old Testament, guys!) and into Nazareth where we will spend 3 nights. Now don't you wish you were here????
Anyway in Nazareth we have free WiFi in the hotel so I don't have to pay. Right now I'm paying US$18 for 24 hours. A little expensive.
And I received all the stuff yu guys cared off with this group; also picked up some stuff left by the American group. All received and in good order! Thanks. OK will let you know tomorrow how the Dead Sea went..... in this 37 degree heat! Ouch!
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