A DAY OF BEAUTIFUL ENCOUNTERS


I had invited two acquaintances for the afternoon – an orthodox Jew and a catholic theologian - to come on the Mount of Olives to meet with Ibrahim Abu el Hawa, the Muslim peacemaker where I do live. Ibrahim shared a lot of his feelings, stories of his ancestors and about his peace-work… And I had the impression he made quite a deep impact. This is what I love, interreligious dialog… only if we meet the other, we can learn to understand better…ourselves and the others…

 
Photo: Ibrahim - a Muslim, believing in Peace

Afterwards I went to the Flagelation where Don Blazej had to defend his theological dissertation infront of a committee of 4 franciscan scholars. It has been interesting for me to attend this occasion, since I have never been to any kind of these presentations before. It was highly intellectual. Even though I intellectually I could not follow (I admit I have too little knowledge about the bible) I was not bored… Actually at times I felt really happy, because suddenly I had a sure feeling that – to love God and to be loved by him – we do not necessarily need to talk, write or think in such an intellectual way… To me it seemed: yes, God is more profound and dense then anything else in and beyond creation. And at the same time, God is simple, light and touchable… if we are just aware enough… Everyone can feel him… in the breeze of the Wind he is caressing us… like the sunlight we can feel him shine upon us… we just need to open our heart… and see… he is there… But additionally I was also happy to be testimonial that there are so bright intelligent people as Don Blazej and the committee of Professors… Also this intellectual intelligence is an expression of Gods many facets… And he is just GREAT… He does so many miracles.

 
Photo: Don Blazej Strba during the defense of his dissertation

Afterwards I still wanted to go to the Dormition Abbey – my beloved church on Mount Zion that I never get tired to visit and also write about. As I went through the Old City 2 little guys stopped me after another “this way is closed”… First I did not believe it – but because of the Jewish Shabbat I then began to believe it. Anas, a young – maybe 12 year old Palestinian boy – asked me, if he can show me the way… I said ok. So I asked him, what would be the quickest way to the Dormtion. We did not have much time, because the Complet were to begin already 10 minutes later… and an additional problem is, that the church doors are always closed at that time… so whoever wants to attend the Complet (the night prayer of the Benedictines) has to be lucky and hope that God will send someone, who belongs to the Dormiton who has a key, and will enter the church at the right moment when you are infront of the locked doors (to me it already happened quite some times that no one came and I just stood infront of locked doors). So this time, the Palestinian said to me… you can´t go through Zion´s Gate (which has to be crossed to get to the Church), because it is closed. I asked him “if it is open, will you promise me, to come with me to the church for 20 minutes?” The guy answered yes. I already knew that Zion´s gate is never closed. So I was really happy. ...

 
Photo: Dormition Abbey - Choir

I think not many Muslims – if any at all – do ever enter churches. And fair enough as we arrived at the back door, right in that Moment Sister Bernadette came. So the door was opened for us… And as we slowly got back our breath from running, I explained him just very briefly about the Complet… that the monks will sing, and pray and that there will be some silence in between. And I said, in case he feels bored he can pray in his heart the way he likes for his parents or what ever he feels. With big eyes and ears he followed everything. And likewise the brothers – as they entered the church looked at him (and probably at me, as I continuosly come and bring people with me from all walks and backgrounds of life). As we were praying I asked God “if you want, do a miracle… touch his heart”… As the abbot sang from the depth of his soul “our father thou art in heaven” – which is indeed the most beautifully sang “our father” that I ever heard in my life – Anas, my new Palestinian acquaintances wept secretly… As we went out, he said: how beautiful. I want to sleep in this church…. I was really really happy. That was the best of the day… He accompanied me to the Western Wall where he went back to his Arab Quarter. Before leaving, I asked him, if he wants to come again. And he said “yes please, can I come tomorrow with you?”… I am in deep gratitude…