THE JOURNEY CONTINUES...
JOURNAL PART VIII
APRIL 9 - April 26, 2009
Marhaba Kaman. (Hello again.) Kiff halkom? How are you? Ana kwayyes imhamdilla. I am fine, thanks be to God. The picture above was taken in our new chapel in Tel Aviv with some of the leaders there and Sr.Salvi, OSB. This part VIII of my journey to the Holy Land. Aahlaan wa saalaan.Welcome. March 9, 2009, Holy Thursday. All four of us in the community attended the celebration at the Holy Sepulcher at 8:00 am. It was the Chrism Mass combined with Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Fuoad Twal was the main celebrant and almost 200 priests concelebrated. The whole liturgy was in Latin and it lasted for four hours. It ended with a procession of the Blessed Sacrament around the Holy Sepulcher three times. As part of the Mass, we had the renewal of our priestly commitment. I received Congratulations through text message from Annie and Cyrel of Bagong Silang PAYO.
(The Patriarch delivering his homily on Holy Thursday Liturgy at Holy Sepulcher Church)
In the afternoon, Fr. Sebastian and I attended the Mass at the Saint Savior Church led by the Custos. It was the parish celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. There was a washing of the feet of the twelve “apostles” and the procession and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the end. The Mass was in Arabic, but the celebration was in Latin. (Holy Thursday procession inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher)
April 10, 2009, Good Friday. I made my own private Stations of the Cross the whole day, ending up attending the Services at the Notre Dame Center at 3:00 pm, led by the Nuncio, His Excellency, Archbishop Antonio Franco. I started at our chapel as my first station at 8:30 am, reading and reflecting the text on the anointing at Bethany (Jn. 12: 1-11). Here Lazarus, Martha, and Mary had a supper for Jesus and Mary anointed his feet with costly ointment of pure nard. Against the criticism of some disciples, Jesus defended her saying, ”Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of her burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” I prayed for all the people who had helped me in my formation and ministry. (The portrait of St. Martha and Jesus in our sanctuary.)
From our house, I went up to Bethphage, a five-minute walk up the Ash Shayyah St. This was my second Station. I read and reflected on the Triumphal entry into Jerusalem starting at Bethphage (Jn. 12: 12-19). As I reflected on Jesus riding on an ass, I prayed for all church leaders and superiors, especially the newly commissioned ones that they could carry their responsibilities up to the end and surpass all their trials and challenges. (A portrait of Jesus riding a donkey at Bethphage.)
From there, I went up again to the Church of the Pater Noster, a ten-minute walk from Bethphage. This was my third Station. Here I reflected on Jesus giving his disciples basic teachings about God as Father, about Him as Savior, and about discipleship (J., 12: 20-50). I prayed for all Christians, especially under formation in catechism classes or in seminaries that they may have the true knowledge and faith. (The rock where Jesus sat while teaching his disciples inside a cave in Pater Noster Shrine)
From there, I went down to the Sanctuary of the Dominus Flevit and reflected on Lk. 19:37-44. This was my fourth Station. Here Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem for soon it would be destroyed. St. Luke portrayed the weeping of Jesus over Jerusalem, as part of the triumphant entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. I prayed for all the sorrowing people in the world, especially the victims of earthquake in Italy and other natural and man-made calamities. I prayed also for the sick, especially my sister Dina and brother Villeado. (The city of Jerusalem through the window of Dominus Flevit Sanctuary)
From there, I continued walking downhill to the Church of All Nations in Gethsemani. This was my fifth Station. I reflected on Mk. 14: 32-42. Here Jesus, prayed in great sorrow knowing what is going to happen to Him soon, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will but what thou wilt.” I prayed for all people who find life burdensome and those who had to make hard decisions in their lives. I also prayed for those who are facing temptations that they could resist them and follow God’s will.