By Bro. Leo Adrian, SDB
As all of you can imagine by now, the move to Jerusalem has been anything but smooth. Brother Quang and I went from the oblivious comforts of the United States to the dead-center of war. The first attack occurred on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
That morning, the entire Salesian community in Jerusalem celebrated mass with the Filipino community at Our Lady of the Rosary parish. After the mass, the Sisters of the Rosary invited us into their refectory to enjoy a hearty breakfast prepared for us. It was then that brothers began crowding in clusters around cell phones that showed images and reports of the conflict. Soon after, the harrowing sounds of sirens filled the sky. As we looked at each other with dubious expressions, the siren was replaced by an ominous silence… followed by the sudden sound of bombs exploding mid air. As some of us were walking home, three young Arab men approached us. Noticing that we were wearing clericals and looking up at the sky, one of them felt obliged to inform us that whenever we hear those sirens, that means we have sixty seconds to find shelter. In a humorous moment amid the terror, one confrere noted to him that this particular siren had been resounding now for about 45 seconds. The young man smiled at us and said, “you‘d better get going.” We all laughed, wished each other God’s blessings and went on our way. It was at this moment that we no longer felt as visitors to the Holy Land- we were now participants. The rest of that day and evening, I kept looking up at the sky from my balcony. As an American, the lyrics to the national anthem ran through my mind. Suddenly, the words “… and the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air…” had become a real and daily occurrence.
Throughout the first month in Israel, Brother Quang and I were just two Salesians making up a community of 55+ confreres at the Ratisbonne Monastery. Then, in one instant, we were deemed resident representatives of American diplomacy at the Ratisbonne. Quang and I felt unqualified to predict our nation’s actions regarding the conflict. “What will be the first steps of the United States government?,” they would ask. “How will the Biden Administration respond?” “How will the American people react to this aggression?” Will the US military put boots on the ground?” At first I would provide quips that I hoped would curtail their questions. “I don’t know,” I would say, “I haven’t spoken to President Biden yet.” This however, did not satisfy them for too long. Aware of the tenuousness of delving into political matters abroad, I simply provided a brief summary of US relations with Israel and its posture in regards to the “Palestinian problem” (essentially saying nothing they could not have found in the official State Department website).
Subsequent days following the initial attacks, conditions had become exponentially worse. Our nights were filled with the sound of roaring jets; our days- the occasional siren, then silence, then bombs- rinse and repeat. The families and friends from our respective homes and provinces have been contacting us on a daily basis. Despite the confidence we may project, we are undoubtedly living with extreme anxiety. Perhaps not so much for our lives (as we are very well protected), but for the fear, sorrow, and damage that permeates all around the neighborhood. This has led many of us to spend extra time in the chapel. Some of us gather daily to recite a Novena for peace. A group of us even made our way early in the morning to the Holy Sepulchre and celebrated mass in Christ’s tomb (an experience worthy of its own article).
I recently experienced a moment of clarity while at mass. During his homily, one of our formators, Father Vincent turned our attention to a statue of Mary that our community had displayed at the beginning of October. I hadn’t really paid much attention to it. She is a young looking Mary, embracing her baby, with her head and eyes facing downward. “I bet you have never heard of this title of Mary,” he commented. “The Arabs venerate this image of Mary with the title, Bint Alnaasira (Girl of Nazareth). “That’s it,” he noted, “no pomp or circumstance, no glorious honors or achievement. No great Assumption, or Coronation. She is simply a young girl from the town of Nazareth.” This moved me profoundly. I recalled our recent trip to Nazareth- to the humble home that tradition says was Mary’s house.
A humble peasant’s home, which God exalted by having His Church enclose it inside of the great Basilica of the Annunciation. We then went to an ancient spring from which Mary would have drawn water. I recalled going into a first century synagogue where she would have gone to pray and contemplate the Torah. While gazing at the statue of this young girl, I began to cry. Aside from all the great exaltations we give to her, in the end she was simply a young girl- humble and faithful. At that moment, I realized that I was looking at true strength and freedom. Not as the world would claim- with tanks, missiles and political power- but with total humility and complete confidence in her Creator. I contemplated her beautifully peaceful face, her contemplative eyes, her arms clinging only to our Savior, with her head bowing in reverent submission to God’ Will. An internal voice communicated to me that I did not need to master the intricacies of international diplomacy. I did not need to find a solution to the conflict. I just needed to practice, as St. John Bosco put it, the “Politics of the Our Father.” This will be my canon- my measuring stick- when addressing questions from the community. While kneeling in prayer, I felt her warmth. Her soothing consolation only accelerated my tears. The girl of Nazareth told me that I need not worry about my life- to give all of my cares and burdens to God, and in return, receive the strength and freedom that comes with it.We may not be the ones to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but we can ensure that peace reigns in our hearts.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. (Luke 1:52)Bint Alnaasirat ladayna – aiddeu lana!Our Girl of Nazareth- pray for us!
