The Conference

Well actually the Salesians call it the Lectio Magistralis, which opens officially their academic year. The Cardinal was to speak on "Doing Theology in the light of the Synod of Bishops' theme on the Bible in the Life and Misison of the Church".

It took place at our Franciscan Terra Santa College since the Salesians (living close by) do not have a hall large enough for such meetings. About 140 people attended, mostly representatives from all the religious families here in Jerusalem, together with the Apostolic Nuncio, Msgr. Franco.

On the whole, the cardinal's 35 minute speech (more a "familial sharing" in his words, than an academic Lectio Magistralis) can be reduced to one word (as Fr Spataro the Salesian rector put it) "reconciliation" or "harmony" - that is, a reconciliation between all the dichotomies that exist within the academic and pastoral worlds:
1. between the bible exegete and the theologian
2. between scholars and the laity
3. between academic methodology and Divine revelation
4. between the Bible and the Eucharist
5. between study and prayer

He said that doing theology is not talking about God but talking with God. More emphasis should be put on praying the Bible, encounter God through praying the Bible, but also stressed that experts on the Bible should be at hand to explain the passages that are being prayed so that prayer groups do not share errors instead of truths! He also spoke about the formation of seminarians and the need to put more biblical aspects into their formation programmes - including biblical prayer and biblical pastoral activities.

"It is humbly listening and joyfully accepting the Word of God"

David Jeaffreson R.I.P.

My good friend David Jeaffreson died today. He came with me to the Holyland with Elisabeth, his wife, several years ago. A good Christian who brought up a lovely family and served the Hong Kong community with fervour and sacrifice.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord
And may perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=4&art_id=73700&sid=21248219&con_type=1&d_str=20081031&fc=8

Cardinal Zen in the Holyland

On the right are photos of Cardinal Zen at the Franciscan chapel by the River Jordan, presiding the pilgrimage Mass of the Baptism of Jesus. It's the annual pilgrimage of the Commemoration of Christ's baptism to the River Jordan.

More photos tomorrow during his conference at Terra Santa College.

Tempest

Wow - yesterday evening we had the heaviest rain this month here in Jerusalem. Cats and dogs! But it's a good sign - we need this rain to soak this dry earth. Inevitably the temperature dropped and it became cold and dark. That makes sleeping ideal - but not when I have to continue with my work.

Today we commemorate the Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan. The friars will lead the annual pilgrimage to the river - a militarised zone opened only this day for the pilgrimage. Friars and pilgrims need to bring their passports along. The baptismal site borders the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan, hence the heavy military presence.

Usually it's the Custos of the Holyland who presides at the Mass, but today it will be Cardinal Zen - yes, of HK. He's here in the Holyland at the invitation of the Salesians and will deliver a talk on Friday morning to the Christian public. Will update you on that.

And ....

And meanwhile in Israel - the teachers are on strike which means schools may not open (again). This has been going on for several years now and the tragic thing is it's the students who'll pay for it by not having a proper education. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1225036830701&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Now the PM is personally intervening http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1225199589426&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

And in Gaza, another boat from Cyprus has broken the Israeli blockade to bring aid to the Gazans. It's a good motive but I don't think constant confrontation with the IDF is the answer. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7696852.stm

And the killing of Christians continue in Mosul, Iraq. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7696242.stm

Church without God?

Yesterday I worked for many hours on my paper. Just half an hour before vespers, I decided to take a break and watch the Internet TV for some inspiring homilies. Turned on to a protestant channel. They interviewed some people in a certain area of America asking if they go to church - surprising most of the young people were all enthusiastic and eager about church services ( to get inspiration, direction, community, security) but the middle ages protested the most. One lady was saying "I don't need the church to tell me what to do and not to do. I'm an adult, I don't need a parent watching over me and telling me I'm wrong. If church services were only prayer and praising I'll go, but not when it starts telling me what to do."

I guess that's the majority of middle-agers' opinion. They have made a life of their own, they feel they're in control, they're parents themselves, so they find it hard to accept teaching and directing by others. What lies deeper is this - the youth have learnt to encounter God in the church services while the middle-agers only encountered people. They have not encountered God. Of course if it's people telling you what to do and not to do, you'll react similarly. But if you really believe that it's God's law and teaching, then you'll take it seriously. That's a sad fact - a whole generation of Christians have had lousy catechism and end up experincing the church as a community of people, with human laws - there was no God in it. Church services were only a therapy session for the lonely, a singalong group, a social hour to meet up with friends; it was not a worship session. God was removed from the equation. Well I think we have to set that straight. And I think Pope John Paul II did alot to put God back into churches.

So where do we go from here? The ball is in your court! Church without God? Like char siu bao without the char siu! (Or as Chris C. says - like ice kachang without the ice)

char siu bao with no char siu?

It was sooooo good to have white rice and home-cooked food - cooked by the Missionaries of Charity of course! I was back on my begging rounds (!) but as there's no such thing as a free meal, I had to work for it! As usual I shared with the sisters abit of the Old Testament for an hour - something I missed doing for the past 3 months. After having taught for the last 10 years, it's difficult to drop teaching altogether. And they cooked me white rice, snow-peas fried with garlic and chili, and two meat patties. I didn't eat lunch yesterday so when I got home from the sisters at 5pm, I quickly ate it all up. It tasted really really good. And moreover I could eat in peace and tranquility in room - no hassle from the dining table.

And talking about teaching - I finally met up with my beloved group of handicaps on the VC. I've not seen them for well over a year now and it was good to see them all again. They belong to the society of Volunteers of the Suffering - most are in wheelchairs, blind or multiple sclerosis. They're sensitive to the message of the Scriptures and identify quickly with the biblical characters. They make my teaching experience really worthwhile and rewarding. I really hope to see them again soon on the VC.

It rained yesterday afternoon and this morning and it was really cold. I decided to use my "hot-air fan" this morning at 4am when I got up, because the bathrobe was not enough to keep me warm. So winter must have arrived - at least in my room.

OK it's back to work again for me. I'd like to cook chicken rice today (someone gave me a bottle of chicken rice sauce) but I'll have to see if there's a piece of chicken available in the kitchen. Not much fun cooking the rice and not having a piece of chicken; it's like eating a char siu bao without the char siu!