THE JOURNEY CONTINUES...
JOURNAL PART XI
JULY 1-31, 2009
Assalamu alaikom! Herein is my eleventh series of my Israeli sojourn. I hope you are in the best of spirits.
July 1, 2009, Wednesday. We had an early Mid Day prayers and lunch. At 12:15, Junjun and I brought Fr. Luigi to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv for his 3:30 pm flight to Rome. Meanwhile, Fr. Denis, Fr. Edward, and Fr. Sebastian went to Yad Vashim to visit the Holocaust Museum. In the sharing at supper time, they all enjoyed the visit.
July 2, 2009, Thursday. In the morning, Fr. Denis, Fr. Sebastian and I visited the Israeli Museum where we could find the model of the city of Jerusalem during Jesus’ time and the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls were displayed. It was a very educative and enriching experience. In the evening, after prayers, Fr. Denis treated us to a dinner at Seven Arches Hotel at Mount Olives. It was a very delicious and filling meal.
July 3, 2009, Friday. Fr. Sebastian took Fr. Denis to the airport after lunch while the rest joined the Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem at 4:00pm. On the way to the Via Cruces, Junjun and I brought Fr. Edward to the bus station for Tel Aviv. He would say the first of Friday Masses the Filipino Chaplaincy planned in Divine Mercy Chapel. He would sleep there for the Saturday and Sunday Masses.
July 4, 2009, Saturday. The three of us (Fr. Roberto, Fr. Sebastian, and I) had our meeting to follow up the result of the Visitation. We planned our activities for July and tried to apply the suggestions of the Consultors for our prayers, daily and monthly schedule, and general accounting procedures. Fr. Sebastian promised to finish his financial report in a month’s time. In the afternoon, Junjun and me went to Rehovot for the 6:30 Mass. From there, we went to Tel Aviv to pick Sr. Rebecca and Vicky. We arrived in Jerusalem at 11:00 pm.
July 5, 2009, Sunday. The Mass I had in Ratisbonne at 9:15 was well-attended. Sr. Rebecca, Kathy and, Gina provided music for our 11:00 am Mass in the house. After the Mass, Gina, an OFW, shared her plans of joining the Missionaries of Charity of Mother Theresa in the Philippines. I asked Sr. Rebecca to have my pictures developed in their friend’s shop while asking Junjun to take them to the city. Fr. Edward, saw them in coming from Tel Aviv later that afternoon and brought the pictures with him. The following day, Monday, I arranged the pictures in the album.
July 7, 2009, Tuesday. I had a counseling session by the telephone with Kathy who is discerning with her life. She would be home in the Philippines for a month’s vacation and would want a peace of mind before going there. She seemed at peace with her decision after our conversation.
July 8, 2009, Wednesday. Fr. Edward and I had our morning Mass at the Bridgettines Convent. The whole was spent in the house working on the computer.
July 9, 2009, Thursday. Fr. Edward and I attended the Thanksgiving Mass for Sr. Cora for her Silver Jubilee of Profession in Bethlehem. Srs.Teresa, Liliana, and Wendell joined us. Fr. Francis of the Salesians was the main celebrant. Fr. Adams of Notre Dame Center also concelebrated. The Bridgettines Sisters of Bethlehem were also there and the Theresian Missionaries, who are Filipinas. The Mass was at 4:30 and there were around thirty people in their small chapel. Before the Mass, we had a chance to go to the Shepherd’s field. A heavy merienda was served after the Mass. We arrived home during the Evening prayers.
July 10, 2009, Friday. I brought Fr. Edward to the terminal for Tel Aviv before attending the Via Cruces at 4:00 pm. There were many pilgrims who joined the Stations of the Cross. Fr. Roberto and Junjun also attended using the other car. After the Stations, Sr. Sara rode with me up to the Bridgettines Convent.
July 12, Sunday. I asked Junjun to bring me to the stations for Tel Aviv for my Mass at 9:30. After Mass, I had lunch at the flat of Miles and Abby, friends of the Benedictine Sisters. After lunch and nice conversation, I took the jeep to Jerusalem from the Takana Market. Once in Jerusalem, I dropped by the SPC Sisters flat to leave the collections to them. They were gathering with other Filipinos when I arrived there and they served me coffee and carrots cake. Before going home I passed by a barber shop and had a haircut. I arrived home at around 4:00 pm.
July 13, 2009, Monday- July 17, 2009, Friday. I was busy with my journal, editing all the series from the start. I was also arranging the pictures with the photo albums. I was also updating and reading comments and messages in my emails, Friendster, and Facebook .
July 18, 2009, Saturday. At 5:00 I went with Junjun to Rehovot for the 6:30 Mass. After the Mass, they had a barbecue party with games, singing contest and dances. Fr. Edward and Fr. Angelo arrived later and joined. We left at eleven and arrived home at 12:00 with plenty of left-over food(BH).
July 19, 2009, Sunday. I had an early breakfast and asked Junjun to take me to the terminal for Tel Aviv, arriving there at 9:00am. After the Mass, I was invited for lunch at Reggie’s place and met his family and board mates in their beautiful flat. After lunch I took the jeep for Jerusalem and passed by the SPC sister’s flat. Fr. Edward and Junjun were there since lunchtime. After taking coffee and pictures with the OFW’s there, we proceeded for home.
July 20-22, 2009, Monday- Wednesday. I was busy making invitations for our Feast on July 29. I also updated myself with my correspondence in the Friendster and the Facebook. The Passionist Nuns greeted me Happy Birthday thinking the 20th was the day because it was on the Ordo, San Apolinario. Some other people also greeted me on my birthday. I thanked them and invited them all to my celebration on July 26, Sunday, in Bethany. Of course, I knew they could not attend due to distance and expenses. One of the greetings that stood was that of the General Superior written in Italian. Missing some greetings from those I expected back home, I felt like singing, “Am I that Easy to Forget?”
July 23, 2009, Thursday. I had early morning greetings from relatives and friends on my birthday. It nice to know they still remember me. I had Mass with the Bridgettine Sisters, that day being their Foundress’ Feast, St. Bridget. The Former Patriarch was the main celebrant, Fr. Roberto, Fr. Edward and I concelebrated. We had breakfast with them together with Junjun our driver. At lunch our community celebrated with a special meal. In the afternoon, I was watching all my pictures with musical background together with the video on my Silver Jubilee produced by Fr. Nonoy and his staff in CIMP.
July 24, 2009, Friday. I attended the Via Cruces in Jerusalem with Fr. Roberto and Junjun. After the station of the cross, we met Fr. Jose Gracia from Spain leading a group of pilgrims. We had a short conversation at the lobby of Holy Sepulcher Chur ch. On our way home, I bought ginger as per requested by our cook, Ahmad. In the evening, we had visitors, Isabela and Salvatore who joined us for Evening Prayers and supper. They would stay with us for some days.
July 25, 2009, Saturday. I worked in the garden in the morning and did ironing in the afternoon. At 4:00 pm, I went to Tel Aviv with Junjun driving the Fiat. I had the 6:30 and 8:00 pm Masses. After supper we drove home with Sr. Rebecca. While still in the highway, we were low on gas so we entered the exit and found a gas station near Rehovot. Just near it, out engine stop. We had to push it to start again. After filling gas, I drove it home despite the defective battery and arrived home at 12:00 am.
July 26, 2009, Sunday. I had the Mass at Ratisbonne with the San Lorenzo Ruiz Community at 9:15, then at our house at 11:00 am. After the Mass, we had a barbecue party as my celebration of my birthday with the OFW. Around 40 people came, 7 from Tel Aviv and 1 from Rehovot (Judy). We had lunch at the shaded area on the east side of the property. Everybody enjoyed eating and singing. After the celebration, I called home to inquire about Marge’s funeral which was well-attended by my neighbors and relatives. I could not help shedding some tears for Marge and the bereaved family.
July 27, 2009, Monday. I spent most of the morning answering my letters in the email, especially in the Facebook and the Friendster. With this new engine, I got in touch with many old and new friends. I admired how advanced other profiles were and tried to update mine.
July 28, 2009, Tuesday. I greeted Fr. Nonoy Plaza CP on his birthday today. He responded and informed me on the developments at home, especially about the sick members of the family.
July 29, 2009, Wednesday. It was the Feast of St Martha, the Titular Saint of our Church, and the Patron Saint of all butlers, cooks, dieticians, domestic servants, homemakers, hotel-keepers, housemaids, housewives, innkeepers, laundry workers, maids, manservants, servants, servers, single laywomen, travelers, caregivers. We had Mass at 5:00 attended by Comboni sisters, Bridgettine Sisters, SPC Sisters, and CP Fathers. We served heavy merienda after the Mass at the garden. Everybody enjoyed until 8:00 pm.
July 30, 2009, Thursday. We had a community meeting in the morning, finalizing our schedules for the next few months. Fr. Roberto will be in Ireland to study English on August and September. After him, Fr. Sebastian will go to Tel Aviv to study Hebrew on October to May, 2010. I will be away on September 1-7 to join the Filipino pilgrims organized by Ludy Santiago to Egypt. We covered many things and finished at 11:30. We had an earlier lunch and afterward took Fr. Roberto, Salvatore, and Isabela to Notre Dame center where they would get their bus to transport them to the airport.
July 31, 2009, Friday. I prepared meal for lunch (paksiw and gulay) and had extra for supper. Junjun and I joined the Via Cruces in the afternoon. On our way, we dropped Sr. Liliana and Sr. Wendell to the Bridgettines’ Convent.
Forwarded message from Fr. Angelo Beda Ison, OFM
The Pastor and his son-
Every Sunday afternoon, after the morning service at the church, the Pastor and his eleven year old son would go out on into their town and hand out Gospel Tracts.
This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring down rain. The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said,’ OK, dad, I’m ready.’
His Pastor dad asked, ‘Ready for what?’
‘Dad, it’s time we gather our tracts together and go out’.
Dad responds, ‘Son, it’s very cold outside and it’s pouring down rain.”
The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking, ‘But Dad, aren’t people still going to Hell, even though it’s raining?’
Dad answers, ‘Son, I am not going out in this weather.’
Despondently, the boy asks, ‘Dad, can I go? Please?
His father hesitated for a moment then said, ‘Son, you can go. Here are the tracts, be careful son.’
‘Thanks Dad.’
And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handling everybody he met in the street a Gospel Tract.
After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST TRACT. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to, but the streets were totally deserted.
Then, he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered.
He rang it again and again, but still no one answered.. He waited but still no answer.
Finally, this eleven year old trooper turned to leave, but something stopped him.
Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch!
He rang again and this time the door slowly opened.
Standing on the door way was a very sad-looking elderly lady.
She softly asked, ‘What can I do for you, son?’ With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said, ‘Ma’am, I’m sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that
‘JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU’ and I came to give you my very last Gospel Tract which will tell you all about JESUS and His great LOVE.’
With that, he handed her his last tract and turned to leave. She called to him as he departed. ’Thank you, son! And God Bless You!’
Well, the following Sunday morning in the church Pastor Dad was in the pulpit.
As the service began, he asked, ‘Does anybody have testimony or want to say anything?’
Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet.
As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face, ‘No one in this church knows me. I’ve never been here before.
You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband passed on some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live.
So I took a rope and a chair and ascended to the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof, then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and broken hearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, ‘I’ll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.’
I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly.
I thought to myself again, ‘Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.’ I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.
When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there in my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you!
The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead, TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, ‘Ma’am I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU.’ Then he gave me this Gospel Tract that I now hold in my hand…
As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel Tract.. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn’t be needing them anymore.
You see---- I am now a Happy Child of the KING. Since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel Tract, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God’s little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.’
There was not a dry eye in the church. And as shouts of praise and honor to the KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated. He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably.
Probably no church has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love and honor for his son… Except for One.
Our Father also allowed His Son to go out into a cold and dark world.. He received His Son back with joy unspeakable, and as all of heaven shouted praises and honor to The King, the Father sat His beloved Son on a throne far above all principality and power and every name that is named.
Blessed are your eyes for reading this message.
Don’t let this message die, read it again and pass it to others. Heaven is for His people. Remember, God’s message CAN make the difference in the life of someone close to you. Please share this wonderful message…
If you love JESUS, please forward this message. Spread His word, and share His goodness and faithfulness. Matthew 10:32 says: ‘Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in heaven.’
So long, then. God bless you. Assallamu allaikom! Til next time.
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