Dec 2019 222 by EuropeAxess Media

Editorial selected by Fr. Stuart Chipolina

Will you be a true

Christian this I

n a message to those gathered in Lourdes for the World Day of the Poor last month Pope Francis told those who are sick and suffering that the world needs their prayers.

“You, who are at the foot of the cross, perhaps alone, isolated, abandoned, homeless, expelled from your family or from your country, victims of alcohol, prostitution, disease. Be aware that God loves you. God especially listens to your prayer,” Pope Francis said in his video message to pilgrims in Lourdes. “Brothers and sisters, I need you all, each one of you,” the pope said. “The world suffers

Christmas? “There is no one so poor that he has nothing to give.”

and your prayer moves the Lord.” Millions of people travel to Lourdes each year to pray at the site where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 under the title “the Immaculate Conception,” and manifested healing spring water. It is Mary who welcomes us here. She is the Immaculate. She appeared to Bernadette, a poor shepherdess. It is good news for all of us who recognize ourselves as poor and small: “What God has hidden from the wise and learned, he has

Pope Francis World Day of the Poor, November 2019

revealed to the little ones,” Pope Francis said. “You who are small, you who are poor, fragile, you are the treasure of the Church. You are in the heart of the pope, in the heart of Mary, in the heart of God,” he said. Pope Francis established the annual World Day of the Poor at the end of the Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2016. In his video message, Pope Francis invited each person to “live the sacraments,” adding that they are gifts from the Church. “I invite you to discover

especially confession, the sacrament of forgiveness in which God shows us his tenderness and frees us,” the pope said. He also invited the sick to receive the sacrament of anointing. Pope Francis said that to receive the Eucharist is to welcome God into one’s body and soul, filling it with faith and joy. “Do you want to be a Christian? Ask for the baptism,” he added. “Let us ask the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Love, to inspire acts of charity, of

benevolence towards those around us,” he said. “There is no one so poor as to have nothing to give.” “Love saves the world and God wants to go through us to save the world,” Pope Francis said. Pope Francis hosted 1,500 homeless and needy people for lunch on Sunday as the Church marked its World Day of the Poor in Paul VI Hall, Vatican City. The menu was lasagne, chicken in cream of mushroom sauce, potatoes, sweets, fruit, and coffee. The Holy Father’s guests were brought to the Hall by volunteers of charity groups who help them daily. During the week a mobile clinic was set up in St. Peter’s

Square where volunteer doctors were able to give the poor free specialist health care. General care is available year-round nearby, another of the Holy Father’s initiatives. Earlier, at a Mass for Rome’s needy in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis said those better off should not feel “annoyed” by the poor but help them as much as possible. He said they should ask themselves: “Do I, a Christian, have at least one poor person as a friend?” Pope Francis established the yearly worldwide Catholic observance of the day in 2016. Editorial compiled from articles by Courtney Mares, Catholic News Agency and Philip Pullella, Euronews.

Photo of Pope at lunch ©Gugliemo Mangiapane (Reuters) Artwork above painted

by Simone Dei Crocifiss, natività di gesù, in 1380, currently in the Uffizi Gallery.

Upon this Rock magazine is published monthly by EuropeAxess Media, Gibraltar. Editor: Fr. S. Chipolina: editor@uponthisrock.gi. Production Editor: A. Sargent: angela@europeaxess.com. Upon this Rock magazine is entirely supported by advertising and donations. It is run in liaison with the Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar by EuropeAxess Media Ltd. as a not-for-profit project. For Advertisers: This magazine is handdelivered to homes, churches, hospitals and many businesses around Gibraltar every month. To discuss your advertising requirements, or promote your church group or charity, call Tel: +350 200 79335 email: angela@europeaxess.com. Editorial is selected by EuropeAxess Media in liaison with the Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar. Neither of these parties is responsible for the accuracy of the information contained herein, nor do the views and opinions expressed herein necessarily reflect the views and opinions of either party. Advertisers are not endorsed by virtue of advertising in this magazine. EuropeAxess Media Ltd. reserves the right to refuse space to any submissions or advertisements. Efforts have been made to establish copyright owners of images, but if we have used your material, and have not credited you, please contact us to discuss restoration. The magazine is online at uponthisrock.gi. Cover: Nativity by an unknown artist, painted 15101520 for the Bertone family chapel, Sant’Agostino, Chieri, Italy, but now in the Uffizi Gallery.

100 Events

YEARS OF REMEMBRANCE

SUNDAY COMMEMORATIONS

Gibraltar honoured those who have died in the service of their country with prayers and two minutes silence, a tradition which began in 1919. On Remembrance Sunday we commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and

women in the two World Wars and later conflicts. In Gibraltar it was held at the British War Memorial at 12 noon on the 10th of

Christian Family Movement

25th, 40th, 50th & 60th Wedding Anniversary Celebrations at the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned on Friday 7th February 2020 at 7:30pm Mr & Mrs:___________________________________________ Forenames: Husband___________________________________ Forenames: Wife______________________________________ NĂŠe:________________________________________________ Address:____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ E-mail:______________________________________________ Home Tel: ___________________________________________

November being the Sunday nearest to Armistice Day, which is the anniversary of the end of hostilities in the First World War in 1918.

A short ceremony was also held on Monday the 11th November itself, in the lobby at Parliament House to mark Armistice Day.

Mobile Tel:__________________________________________ Date of Marriage:_____________________________________ Church:_____________________________________________ N.B. If marriage took place outside Gibraltar please produce a copy of the Marriage Certificate when handing in this form. This form should be handed in at the Cathedral bookshop as soon as possible and not later than Friday 24th January 2020, alternatively, e-mail above detail/form to duos@gibtelecom.net - Please keep the details below for your information -

& After the church service celebration, couples are cordially invited

to the Catholic Community Centre for refreshments, along with four guests. This is due to the limited space available. Couples should arrive at the Cathedral on 7th February 2019 no later than 7.15pm. For further information or queries contact Denise Duo on Home no: 20043386 Mob no: 57021000 email: duos@gibtelecom.net

Catholic Grandparents Association

Loreto School

Grandparents Day O

n Thursday the 7th November Bishop Carmel attended Grandparents Day at Loreto School. The event was hosted by Mrs

Louise Napoli headmistress and Mrs Catherine Wiley, the founder of Catholic Grandparents Association (CGA) spoke about the objectives of

the Association during a special Mass celebrated by Msg. Paul Bear in the school’s chapel.

Mrs Wiley was visiting Gibraltar to support the strong

active CGA group here who she said “Love their grand children and their faith and want to pass on the best of everything to the next generations.” “The objective of the Association” she continued

Msg. Paul celebrated the Mass for St. Joachim and St. Anne the Grandparents of Jesus in honour of the day.

It is hoped that all schools in Gibraltar will want to hold a Grandparents Day in due course. “is to promote the vocation of grandparents, and not just in the Catholic community but to raise the awareness of all grandparents of their vocation within the family.” Mrs Wiley sees the way to do this is for grandparents to simply practice being who they are by living their lives in faith filled homes as head and heart of family. They do this by giving time and teaching skills that are almost extinct like baking and cooking. Also by having the courage to face difficult situations. The CGA was first conceived at the Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in England, on September 8th 2001 when Catherine spent some time in prayer at the Shrine’s Slipper Chapel, she wondered what could be done to give Our Blessed Mother a gift for her birthday. During this time of prayer, Catherine Wiley felt deep within that a pilgrimage to honour St. Joachim and St. Anne, the Grandparents of Jesus, and to honour all of our Grandparents, for all they have done for us down through the ages, particularly in the transmission of the faith, would truly delight Our Blessed Mother. The CGA grew out of this inspiration, a pilgrimage, presided by Cardinal Sean Brady, at the Marian Shrine of our Lady of Knock, with 14,000 pilgrims and Grandparents present. As the years went by, the pilgrimages increased and the Mission of CGA began to focus on the need to help Christian families, particularly through

the work of Grandparents, so that such families could better live up to their calling of being a “domestic church”.1 During that time, the original inspiration, the ensuing pilgrimages and the common activities organized by growing enthusiasts, gave birth to a de facto association of Grandparents, who often, with the assistance of family members, and always with every encouragement from bishops and priests, began to organize more pilgrimages and family events, while strongly developing their bonds with the Hierarchy as one group. For such reasons, and after receiving approval from His Excellency, the Most Reverend Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam, on April 26th 2013, CGA was erected by virtue of his Decree as a “Private Association of the Faithful”, on May 1st, 2013. The Catholic Grandparents Association is now represented in 59 countries including England and Wales, Ireland, Spain, and Gibraltar. Rosemarie Isola organises the Gibraltar chapter of the CGA. The group meet monthly at St. Bernard’s Church for prayer and to organise practical help. Fr. Victor Ghio is their chaplain, contact him or your parish priest for information about joining the group. Loreto School’s Grandparents Day concluded with tea and coffee served on the Palm Patio, where Mrs Napoli displayed the beautiful painting of St. Joachim and St. Anne which had been presented to her by Mrs Wiley. 1 Lumen Genfium, n. 11.

Grandparents Day concluded with tea, coffee and biscuits on the Palm Patio

Project Truth - supported by scientific information

A special Two Part Series giving ten

Pro-Life Answers to Pro Choice Questions

e can all struggle when answering the statements made by prochoice campaigners. Meritxell, an experienced pro-life campaigner who travelled the city centres of Scotland as part of an educational pro-life roadshow called “Project Truth”, identified for us ten of the most common statements used by pro-choice campaigners, and made the point that pro-life is in reality also pro-choice. The difference between the two is that pro-life does not accept the killing of innocent children as a choice that any of us should be allowed to make. The following are her list of statements, to which I have added simple answers that you can use, and additional

information that may help you. 1. Unborn children feel no pain, at least not until the third trimester. Simple Answer: This is not true – science has proved conclusively that the unborn child feels pain as early as 8 weeks after conception. Information: Maureen Condic, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy, and expert on human embryonic development, proved in her research that the first part of the nervous system is already formed just 28 days after conception. Imposing pain on any paincapable living creature is classed as cruelty, so it is totally

BOTH LIVES MATTER

Part One

unacceptable to deliberately cause the unborn child the severe pain of an abortion. 2. While the life of an unborn child is totally dependent on a woman’s body it is not viable, therefore it cannot be considered a human being. Simple Answer: This is not true. Universally accepted science agrees that viability The Society for the Protection of the is not an issue, as human life Unborn Child (SPUK) calculated commences at conception. 9,000,000,000 unborn children had Information: been killed in the United Kingdom in Physicians, biologists the 50 years following the legalization and other scientists agree of abortion there. that conception marks the Source: https://www.spuc.org.uk beginning of the life of a human being — a being becomes conscious. that is alive and is a member Simple Answer: This is not of the human species. There is true. Brains develop over several overwhelming agreement on months and there is no point at this point in countless medical, which one can say, “Now this is biological and scientific writings. a person!” Consciousness isn’t Harvard University Medical necessary for personhood; for School professor Micheline example, a comatose patient is Matthews-Ross stated that “It is still a person with full human scientifically correct to say that rights. an individual human life begins Information: Foetus and at conception … and that this embryo, just like infant or developing human always is toddler or adolescent, are a member of our species in all simply terms used for a specific stages of life” developmental stage of a human The beginning of a single human being. The stage of development life is conception, and this of a human being determines biological fact should not be nothing about his or her value distorted to serve sociological, and dignity. Nor does being an political or economic goals. embryo or a foetus somehow 3. A foetus isn’t a person make one non-human. until it develops a brain and

Rev. Dr. Bernard Farrell-Roberts

4. Pro-lifers are anti-science. Simple Answer: Pro-lifers are totally pro-science, as science proves that the unborn child is a human being from conception, and that the embryo is alive, human, and genetically distinct from his or her parents - it is a new human individual. Information: Being prolife is sometimes considered unscientific because it assumes that the human embryo has an immaterial soul, a claim that cannot be proven scientifically. But pro-life arguments do not depend on any such assumption. They do not need to, as new human life begins at conception, as science proves. 5. Abortions should be legal in the case of rape or incest. Simple Answer: It is illogical to think that the circumstances surrounding the way in which a child is conceived have any bearing on the value of the child itself. A child’s right to life is not determined by his or her parents’ worthiness to be parents. Information: The unborn are separate and distinct human beings who are simply at a different stage of development from born people. Using the

argument of rape or incest is an attempt to use the circumstances of that child’s conception as a reason to nullify his or her humanity, and therefore right to a full life. If the unborn person conceived in rape is a human being, there can be no justification for punishing this child for the crime committed by his or her father. Instead of punishing a child by ending his of her life, we must punish the rapist. Should the innocent child conceived in rape deserve the death penalty for the crimes of her father? Ponder this: Society doesn’t kill the guilty rapist, so how can it justify killing the innocent baby conceived? 6. My Body, My Choice Simple Answer: Is the unborn a part of his or her mother? The clear proven scientific answer is absolutely and unequivocally no. The unborn child is a human being from conception, and the embryo is alive, human, and genetically distinct from his or her mother - it is a new human individual. Society finds it abhorrent when a mother deliberately harms her own child, yet it accepts a

mother fatally harming her child just because the law allows her to. This is both wrong and illogical. Information: Although the baby lives inside the mother and depends on her for warmth, hydration and nutrition, the cells of the baby are genetically distinct from the cells of the mother. Often the baby has a completely different blood type from that of the mother, and fifty

percent of the time the baby is a different gender from his mother. The false assumption is that a baby is merely a body part of its mother, like one of her limbs or organs. That is biologically incorrect. The genetically distinct unborn child is attached to the mother and dependent on her for life, but the foetus isn’t a part of his or her mother. A mother’s rights do not include the freedom to kill her own child.

Bishop Carmel’s Lenten Appeal for Aid to the Church in Need

Catholic Priest dies for his Faith

Father Bedoyan ©Aid to the Church in Need

Archbishop Marayati has spoken out about the death of Fr. Bedoyan, a priest of his Church in Syria

peaking to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need about the attack that killed ArmenianCatholic priest Fr. Hovsep Hanna Bedoyan on 11th November, ArmenianCatholic Archbishop Boutros Marayati of Aleppo said: “The war in Syria is not yet over. We continue to feel the presence of ISIS”.

ISIS took responsibility for the killing just hours after the murder. Fr. Bedoyan was travelling to Deir Ezzor with his father Ibrahim Hanna Bedoyan, a deacon, and a layman to monitor repair work on the Armenian-Catholic Church of the Martyrs when they were attacked. Archbishop Marayati said: “We are trying to rebuild the church and the houses of the Christians who used to live

Archbishop Marayati ©Aid to the Church in Need there, so that they can return to the city.” Speaking about the murders, he said: “Shortly before they arrived at Dei Ezzor, two armed men on a motorcycle overtook their car and opened fire. “The father of the priest was killed instantly, while Fr. Hovsep Hanna died later, outside the hospital in Hassake.” The deacon was wounded while the fourth person, a layman, was able to escape. An investigation into the shooting is still ongoing. Archbishop Marayati said: “So far we don’t know who killed him, although it appears that ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack. “What we do

know is that Fr. Hovsep was dressed in his priestly attire and was consequently recognisable as a priest, in addition to the fact that his car was clearly marked, in large letters, with the words ‘Armenian Catholic Church’. “Hence it is entirely plausible that Fr. Hovsep was murdered because he was a priest and because of his efforts to re-establish the Christian presence in Deir Ezzor.” Archbishop Marayati described how Deir Ezzor is a vital city for Armenian Christians. He said: “This is a very important town for us because it is here that many of our martyrs were killed as they fled the Turkish genocide of 1915. “Today there are no Armenian Catholics left there, but undoubtedly the Turks don’t want us to return because our presence would be a reminder of the Armenian genocide.” The funeral of Fr. Bedoyan and his father took place yesterday (Tuesday, 12th November) at St. Joseph’s Church, Qamishli at noon local time. According to the archbishop, the city is experiencing tension because of ongoing clashes between Turkish and Kurdish forces. He said: “The situation is chaotic. There are Turks, Kurds, Americans, Russians. Just yesterday there were three explosions. “Christians are afraid – with every new outbreak of violence, many families are deciding to emigrate. “Before the war, there were 5,000 Armenian Catholics and five churches in Qamishli. Today, they are just 2,000, and only two churches remain open.” Archbishop Marayati appealed to the international community through ACN, saying: “All we are asking is that this war should end, but that will not be possible if people continue to help the terrorists and send arms to Syria.” He added: “I beg you to pray for us and for our people, because at present we are living through extremely difficult times.”

Contributors: Opposite page Marta Petrosillo and John Newton, this page John Pontifex

Standing up for Faith and Freedom

ACN’s #RedWednesday event

rganised by Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, this year’s #RedWednesday on 27th November included a candlelit Cross procession led by Rehman Chishti MP, the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief. Patricia Hatton, Head of Fundraising and Marketing at ACN (UK), who launched #RedWednesday, explained that

the procession shows solidarity with persecuted Christians – the world’s “most widely targeted” faith group according to Pew Research Centre. She said: “Following the endorsement of #RedWednesday in the Bishop of Truro’s review into FCO support for persecuted Christians, commissioned by former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, the procession is a real chance for Christians

to stand together and in a very visible way, show that the lives of Christians and other persecuted minorities matter. We urge individuals to add your voice to the call to stop the persecution of Christians and other faith groups.” 120 buildings were lit up in red in the UK as well as in 15 other countries. The call to highlight religious persecution on #RedWednesday comes after ACN’s 2019

London shrine honours persecuted Christians

objects, including chalices, crucifixes and a statue, many of them bent and broken, were formally blessed at a ceremony last month, at Farm Street Catholic Church. The sacred items were taken from churches torched and desecrated during the Daesh (ISIS) occupation of Iraq’s Nineveh Plains – an invasion which forced the expulsion of Christian families who had been living there for thousands of years. An appeal to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians was made by Farm Street parish priest Fr. Dominic Robinson SJ, who presided at the opening of the temporary shrine. Fr. Robinson is chaplain for Catholic charity Aid to the Church

The world is largely silent in the face of Christian persecution. The scale of the problem is so great, silence is no longer acceptable. Persecuted Christians need YOU - and all of us! Together our prayers and actions can make a difference. You can PLEDGE YOUR SOLIDARITY by: • Praying ACN’s Prayer found in leaflets in your local Church, or your own prayers for Persecuted Christians in danger. • Sharing this article and Christian Persecution facts with others so that all understand the need.

Set up a monthly gift:

Bishop Carmel Zammit Lenten Appeal for‘Aid to the Church in Need’, Gibraltar International Bank, Account Name: ‘Trustees RCC/CAN’ Account Number: 00812022, Sort Code: 60-83-14.

Persecuted and Forgotten? report found that Christianity in parts of Iraq and Syria is approaching the point of total extinction following genocide carried out by Daesh (ISIS). The Christian populace in Iraq has reduced by more than 90 percent, from 1.5 million before 2003, to less than 150,000 today.

in Need (UK), which helped coordinate the initiative as part of its work repairing homes, churches and other structures for Christians returning to Nineveh following the military defeat of Daesh. Fr. Robinson said: “I hope very much that the visit of these desecrated sacred items contributes to our sense of communion with our brothers and sisters struggling to practise their faith and shows us the power of hope through the Cross.” The temporary Middle East Shrine display has been made possible by Iraq’s Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil, which gave permission for the loan of the items. As part of the shrine blessing talks on the ACN’s work were given by John Ravi and John Pontifex.

The charity is continuing to prioritise help for Christians in Iraq and Syria.

Little Donkey Anne Mesilio writes

ecember once again and echoes from childhood days remind me of how eagerly we listened out for the jingle of harness and the donkey’s clip clop as Uncle Jimmy came trotting along with our Christmas tree in the cart. We danced with excitement in the frosty air and I was always ready with a juicy carrot for Neddy, our beloved donkey, which he accepted readily.

FUNDING AVAILABLE

The Christian Mission Trust provides local Christians with donations for evangelistic initiatives and outreaches. The Trust is ecumenical and has provided money to many groups, individuals and churches during the last 12 years. It is run by a Board of Trustees. We invite applications for funding from anyone who wishes to launch an evangelistic initiative or who needs support for an existing Christian missionary activity. Please write to: The Chairman, Christian Mission Trust, 4 South Pavilion Road, Gibraltar.

ABOUT THE IMAGE. This little donkey stands in the courtyard of the Palazzo Pitti, Florence, Italy. The construction workmen (1588-70) could not have done without the help of the humble donkey and they recorded their gratitude to the animal in the form of this beautiful bas-relief. The Latin inscription notes that the donkey dragged and carried stone and marble slabs, wooden beams, and even the plaque itself!

“Little Donkey” humming away in my head I decided to find out some more about this beast of burden who has shown us the meaning of hard work, dedication and devotion as well as obstinate will power. That, I have learned is his natural ability to reason and consider situations before acting. Bet you did not know that! This might seem obvious but a donkey is not a horse, he is a distinctive animal in his own right, very intelligent and can live for over 50 years. Donkeys come in all shapes sizes and colours, have a natural aversion to dogs and foxes which often makes them a useful guardian for sheep. He is a social animal, very protective and has an incredible memory, I would say phenomenal, able to recognise places and other donkeys he may not have met for maybe 25 years!(Getting more and more enamoured of this loyal and loving creature as I write).

That is a Christmas childhood memory that I cherish. Donkeys have been recorded through the ages as far back as ancient Egypt and even people travelling the renowned Silk Road from 2nd to the 18th century. Loyal and loving creatures they have a well earned reputation for hard work, especially as they have been used as working animals for over 5,000 years! So, with the Christmas carol

December 6th is the feast of St. Nicholas of Myra and the old Christian tradition was for children to leave their shoes out overnight. Along came St. Nicholas riding his donkey and filled the shoes with sweets and small gifts and treats. Other saints like St. Francis, patron of animals, once came across a sad little donkey, told him a merry tale and cheered up the little fellow! Apparently Queen Victoria gained a special preference for them in her later years and is said to have owned at least three. Donkey rides are a traditional feature of seaside resorts in the United Kingdom. Children are allowed to ride donkeys

road” I discover there are 155 references to the donkey in the bible. He is charged with rich biblical symbolism, he has carried on his back messiahs, kings, prophets, and bread, yes bread. According to legend, in reward for the donkey’s humble love for Jesus, the Lord caused the shadow of the Cross to fall on the back of the Jerusalem donkey. Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem and several terrible days later that faithful little donkey stands apart at the Crucifixion, alone and lost, he who was “once a carriage for a King”. I understand that donkeys cry, and what a time to do so, but their tears are always silent, inside, so a little donkey standing, head down and dejected is crying! I found a few biblical references to the donkey; Abraham saddled his donkey in order to offer Isaac to God. (Genesis 22;3) The sons of Jacob travelled to Egypt on donkeys to purchase grain during the great famine. (Genesis 42;26).

Moses, returning from wandering in the wilderness placed his wife and children on donkeys to cross the desert. (Exodus 4;20). Nearer to our time I remember the late lamented Fr. George Grima telling me that once in rural Ethiopia when the Bishop came to visit he made the last part of the rough journey on a donkey. Sure footed and reliable on mountain terrain, hardy and stronger than a horse, donkeys are trustworthy. Now, this season of Christmas the little donkey reigns supreme in our hearts. “Keep on plodding onwards with your precious load”. Honestly, we must approach this tale with the wonder of childhood, imagining this brave little fellow plodding along, carrying 9 months pregnant Mary, both of them tired and weary, but Mary, ever affectionate and caring whispers to him, rubs his ears to encourage him along. “Carry Mary safely on her way” He did!. A gruelling 90 miles over hills and through valleys. He

was in the stable that night when Jesus was born, his warm breath helping to ward off the cold of the night. He was called on once again on that tortuous flight into Egypt and carried the family safely on that sojourn of four years before bringing them home safely to Nazareth. Many lovely stories abound of the little donkey’s care of the family during this time, the weary family paused during their journey after three days of travel and while they rested, the donkey kept watch, just one example of love and devotion. He is more than pin the tail on the donkey at children’s parties, more than the burro, donkey ass beast of burden.

“Little donkey, little donkey on the dusty road Got to keep on plodding onwards with your precious load. Been a long time, little donkey, through the winters night don’t give up now, little donkey, Bethlehem’s in sight.”

on a sandy beach for a fee in summer months while on holiday, normally led in groups at walking pace. In nearby Spain the picturesque mountain village of Mijas, with its whitewashed houses and narrow streets, has become known as the donkey taxi (Burro Taxi) capital. It is one of the main attractions of this lovely little town. However, concern is often expressed for the welfare of donkeys and the Donkey Sanctuary is a British charitable organisation devoted to the welfare of donkeys. It was founded in 1969. There is a place in Morocco, not far from Marrakech where donkeys which are orphaned or abandoned can find tender, loving care. Donkeys are a special kind of therapy and the simple act of hugging one of these pure-hearted creatures will benefit you as much as them. Spending time with donkeys will help you both lose and find yourself. With that Christmas carol getting louder in my head “Little donkey on the dusty

Wishing you all a joyful and peaceful Christmas.

A Story by Manolo Galliano continues to be serialised

SAMUEL - God’s Special Gift This is the story of Samuel, a child with a mental disability and his encounter with Jesus, who became his very special friend. Continuing from Issue 221

7 continued Chapter Samuel sees the apparent theft of a donkey and a foal, but the men taking the donkey say to Mathias “We have been told to tell you that the Master has need of them and will send them back at once.”…

Mathias was perplexed by this reply, but recognising the other man as a disciple of Jesus, he stammered lamely, “Well, alright, by all means, take them both with you! But do make sure to tell the Master

that Mathias says that he can borrow them for as long as he needs them.” Samuel gazed sadly as the animals were led away and Mathias noticing that the little boy was close to tears, felt quite sorry for him and told him, “I say, Samuel, what would you say if we follow those men and find out what they really want the donkeys for?” Samuel could hardly believe his luck and, shrieking happily, he grabbed Mathias’ hand, tugging so hard that he almost toppled him as he tried to make him go as fast as possible in hot pursuit of the men and the animals. A few moments later,

Rachel and her father, who had been woken up by all the commotion, appeared at the doorway just in time to see their plump host running hand in hand with Samuel down the winding lane. As they rounded the last straggling houses of the little village, Mathias halted suddenly, for there in front of them was a large group of men surrounding the donkeys and laying some of their cloaks over the foal. Jesus, then emerged from amongst them and without another moment’s thought, sat on the little foal and slowly rode the animal down the hillside towards Jerusalem, followed by his excited disciples, singing psalms of praise. When Jacob and his daughter finally caught up with them, they were equally astonished at the strange spectacle taking place. Moreover, Rachel could not understand how anyone could appear so majestic whilst simply riding such an ordinarylooking little donkey. But then her heart almost missed a beat as she remembered the words of Scripture prophesying the coming of the Messiah: “Tell the city of Zion

Look, your king is coming to you! He is humble and rides on a donkey, And on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Meanwhile, excitement was steadily increasing amongst the growing crowds of people, who, after cutting branches from the nearby trees, were waving them in adulation. Others were spreading their cloaks on the road, in front of the approaching procession, as it made its way to Jerusalem, chanting: “Praise to the Son of David! Bless Him who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise the Lord!” Jacob seemed rooted to the spot, “Look, Rachel,” he said, “Doesn’t this remind you of the story of Moses, when he crossed the Red Sea with all our people on their way to the Promised Land?” “Yes, Father,” replied Rachel, “But let us hope that these very same crowds do not change back into a raging sea!” Jacob stared at his daughter, realising that even now as the Master was making what appeared to be his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, there were still so many unknown dangers facing him and he also became concerned for his safety. Just then, he felt somebody pulling sharply on his robe, and looking around he saw that it was little Samuel trying to attract his attention. “Papa,” he explained, “Can I wave this, just like the others?” His father immediately burst out laughing at seeing his son trying, with all his might, to lift a huge olive branch, at least twice his size, which he must have dragged from a nearby field. “Samuel,

Story so far can be found at uponthisrock.gi I do believe that this branch is much bigger than you! Let’s go and see whether we can cut or collect some palm fronds and if we hurry we’ll be able to wave them before Jesus finally arrives at the city gates.” Before too long, they had picked up various small branches which were scattered around and were in hot pursuit of the trailing crowd making up the rear of the ever-growing procession. The throngs were very dense, and as they seemed to be making hardly any headway, Jacob decided that they should cross through some olive groves. Quite soon they had reached the open area in front of the massive city walls. Standing near one of the main gates, they looked up towards the direction of the Mount of Olives from where a huge multitude was slowly making its way towards them, almost resembling a tidal wave as it moved relentlessly above a thin haze of dust rising from the parched ground. The air was filled with the loud sound of cymbals, drums and pipes accompanied by psalms and hymns and punctuated by the occasional shouts of praise. This cacophony brought about the rapid presence of the ever watchful and apprehensive soldiers on sentry duty, who streamed out of the gates in semi-panic, almost expecting to find a fully-fledged assault on the city. However, discovering to their great surprise that the enemy armies were, in effect, just noisy but peaceful crowds of pilgrims being led by a nondescript preacher astride on a humble little donkey, they very quickly returned to their routine duties. As the crowds got ever nearer, Rachel glanced at her brother whose face was very flushed and realised that he also seemed to be completely taken up by the growing hysteria. He was mumbling and jumping up and

down, excitedly brandishing the small branch that he was holding, to the despair of two Levites standing near to him. She became quite concerned especially after touching his forehead and ascertaining that it was burning with fever and there and then, she decided that it would be wiser to return to their lodgings. However, her decision came too late, because, all at once, they were being shoved and jostled by the masses of people approaching the gates and above all the rumpus, Rachel was surprised to hear her brother’s distinctive piping voice shouting, “Praise to David’s Son!” which was being repeated by all and sundry. Just as Jesus came alongside where they were standing, she could not fail but hear a heated discussion going on between the two Levites, one of whom exclaimed out loud in a mocking voice, “Teacher, cannot you hear what they are shouting?” Jesus brought the donkey to a halt and gazing calmly at him, said, “Indeed, I do. Haven’t you yourself read the psalm where it is written. You have trained children and babies to offer perfect praise?” And smiling rather knowingly at and Samuel, he continued on his journey into the city. Once the crowds had finally dwindled away, Jacob was in a bit of a quandary whether to follow them into Jerusalem or return to Bethpage. However, before he had a chance to decide one way or another what to do, Samuel uttered a loud cry and collapsed in a heap in front of him. To be continued…