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… 

SACHA - A STORY OF FAITH


Sacha - I still don´t know how old he is, maybe in his end thirties – went over land to the Holy Land… from Firenze, Italy. Many years ago, after a very exciting life where he had experienced all sorts of beautiful and crazy things, he made a decision. He said “ I am going to experience how it is to walk barefoot”… For 8 (!!!) entire years he never bare shoes. Out of choice. No matter if it did snow, of if he went through the hot desert sand… He even went through a fire-test… and walked on hot coals a few times… What did that teach him… A lesson that your mind can be master over your body… But of course this was not the only lesson learned… Just imagine, would you walk into any kind of office or to an official meeting… or into a supermarket… or just about anywhere else then the beach and in your bathroom without shoes? Could you take the looks and thoughts of the people around you ? What kind of a lesson can you learn there… To be confident in yourself… To detach from what people think about you… To trust, you can make it, even under the most difficult situations… I think you will be able to trust more and more in yourself and at the same time become more and more humble.

 
Photo: Sacha - experiencing the abundance of the moment

Sacha – for an entire year, he did not touch any money. This was another choice – day by day… but it became 365 days in a row - that after he had experienced the material riches of the world – he wanted to see how it is, when you have nothing. NOTHING! … No money in your pocket. Not even a penny. Along with his dress he did take only a tooth brush, a soap and a T-Shirt. Not even a second pair of pants or alike… No sleeping bag, no iso-matress, no shoes, no jacket, no NOTHING…. Just: COMPLETE FAITH. Faith that the right things will be provided to him. Sometimes he was invited into houses of strangers, other times he slept outside… anywhere… no matter how cold or warm it was… And he still is alive… He made it…

About a year ago he had a very bad motorbike accident. His knee broke, his leg needed to be fixed… Doctors said he would never be able to walk normally again… But he did train and train his legs… And now… you know the story already… he came over land from Firenze to the Holy Land. Partly by train, also hitchhiking, but walking also major parts on his “weak” legs… Getting stronger and stronger every day… Such is the power of faith…

With 50 Euro in his pocket (no bank account) he feels like a rich man… and he has the aura of someone who has everything needed in life. He creates abundance in his mind. And things fall into place… There is something invisible… Divine… that substains him… that is, what he feels and experiences…

I feel very blessed that I met Sacha and hope through sharing parts of his life-experiences with you, you receive from it, what YOU need… I invite you to pass on this story, to inspire others and write a comment. Thanks. 

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

Two nice things happened this evening in the area around Mt. Zion… The guy that sells the breads infront of Zions Gate, when I came to greet him, he invited me and gave me a bread.

It was very special for me, because about 7 months ago, a friend of mine bought a bread from him. And when he charged her 4 Shekel she said “that really pisses me off. This is not right to ripp off tourists!”… And they almost got into a fight. I tried to calm down the two of them and said “peace, peace” … then we continued our way to the Dormition… And when we came back out of the Dormition a good time later, I greeted him and wished him a happy day.

Since that day I kept greeting him and he began to also greet me back. After more and more time all the people that always spend the day in the same area began to greet me. Today it came to the point where this bread-seller – who seeme so greedy and naughty in the beginning - actually gave a bread to me as a present. I was really moved… And thought… it is so much worth it to try an extra time, when someone is mean to you, when someone is seemingly “ripping you off” and treating you unfair… Just go the extra mile… just try one more time… try to see the divine in the other… and ultimately this will change the relationship to the positive.

When I entered the Dormition I told Victor – the toilet cleaner about the incidence. He was happy for me. Then I thought… well I should not only offer him some of the bread I got… he really needs money… I took out the 20 Shekel I had with me and handed it to him. He did not want to take it “you have no money”... I said “ this is for you… don´t worry… And I hope it will multiply…”

 
Photo: Naef, the street-sweets-seller on Mount Zion

When I got up to the churchyard again, I greeted Naef, another humble street-sweets-seller. Just greeting him, he took out a piece of sweets (already the second time he does that) and said “here, this is for you”… I was really touched… This is, when I feel God is caring for me… when I feel God is giving me more, than I need… I do not have to worry. I just have to trust and always the best will happen… And this holds true for all of us!

Let us count the Blessings that happen in our lives daily... And we will realize how rich we are. 

VIP MICHAEL GLOS VISITS THE DORMTION ABBEY

 

Jerusalem. Just back from a whole day in Tel Aviv I went to the Dormition Abbey this night... Actually the doors should have been already closed...
but I thought... Anyways I will try to get there... and God, if you
want me to be able to pray there, you will help me... You always find
a way... And as I came.. not only were the gates still open... no,
Abbot Benedikt Lindeman along with Dr. Petra Heldt (holder of the
german award "dt. Bundesverdienstkreuz") and Friar Elias were
waiting for the german minister of economy Michael Glos to arrive any
minute. I was asked to take some pictures... and just 2 minutes later
Michael Glos arrived...

Once again I was amazed how God works... instead of standing infront
of closed doors, he even gave me the chance of meeting one of germanys
most important people... what a grace...

Again I experienced... when I felt in great doubt if anything worked
out... and then surrendered... Gods grace is working unfailingly...
and much greater than we could ever imagine... That - at least for me
- is the most touching...

God is always there... and especially in moments where we do not feel
him... were we wonder where he might have gone... In those moments he
is carrying us on his shoulders... 

ORTHODOX CELEBRATION OF THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST

What an amazing experience.... the orthodox feast of the Ascension of Christ! I did not know what would await me, when I entered the grounds of the place where Christs Ascension to Heaven is commemorated. The property that nowadays is in the hands of muslims - the church is now a mosque - was turned into a place for joyfully celebrating christians. Greeks had their tent next to Syrians, the Syrians had their little tent next to the Copts and the Copts had their tent next to the tent of the Armenians.... All were celebrating paralell. For hours. Every Denomination was praying and singing in their own style giving its best...

The atmosphere reminded me of the atmosphere at the Holy Sepulchre (the place where Jesus was crucified and where his tomb is)in the Easter night where also all 4 denominations were celebrating and singing paralell... I felt what sometimes in the Holy Land seems like "fighting who is stronger, who can pray louder, who can overwhelm the other denominatins" there as at the Ascension Feast was a perfect symphony... hearts were outpouring their joy... Infact, I felt a steady increase of joy and energy... Looking at the colorful celebrations, listening to the wonderful different songs and prayers in different languages... And amazed I thought... How beautiful is God... how great is He... How unique... In how many countless aspects He shows us his different faces daily.

Even though the celebrations were absolutely colorful, I chose to share some of the countless impressions with you in Sepia - "brown and white"... To just get as close as possible to the core of everyone... without any distractions...


Greek orthodox...

 


Armenian orthodox...

 


Coptic orthodox...

 


Syrian orthodox...