Editorial approved by Fr. Stuart Chipolina
Do you feel
fulfiled?
Everyone desperately wants to find fulfilment in their lives.
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W
e all long for a deep connection with some ‘one’, or some ‘thing’. There’s the idea that if we could just find this one person, group, or perhaps even an issue to champion for and join, that would bring us fulfilment.
But does it? What if everything we need for true fulfilment is obtainable, without having to create an account on Match. com, or having to buy the latest gadgets, or always having to find your next project, or…
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What if all the necessities for fulfilment are right in front us, as opposed to some imagined ideal future? What if the idea of that “significant other” who will be absolutely perfect for us and who will fulfil our every need, is, in the end, just a fantasy? What if that perfect hobby that will bring us joy and happiness, even if it’s a good and wholesome hobby, is just distracting us from what really is important? What would it be like if we let go of this fantasy of a perfect future and then instead focus on finding fulfilment in the here and now, within ourselves … and through God?
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Where We Get Fulfilment Another person will never completely fulfil us. Yes, they can give companionship and support in this life. They can help us to be a better person. They may listen to us and help us when in need. All of these are wonderful things. But they will never completely fulfil us. The only thing that can ever give us true fulfilment is a relationship with God. Why do I know this? Because I have spent many years trying to find fulfilment where it doesn’t exist. And I have met many people throughout my life also trying to find their fulfilment through relationships, hobbies, causes,
and even addictions. And if you ask them if they’re truly happy and fulfiled, the true answer is always, without fail, ‘no’. Conversely, I know people that try to seek their fulfilment through Christ. Do they suffer? Have hardships? They sure do. But the more they strive to be in a complete union with God, not only are they able to better handle their sufferings and hardships, but they also find fulfilment in knowing they are doing it all for God. When we live an active interior life (communicating with God) we benefit greatly by developing a close relationship, a friendship, with Him. Especially when we learn to direct our mind and heart to Him often throughout our day.
Searching for Fulfilment in the Wrong Places
There have been times in my life when I have backslid a bit. OK, a lot. I have found myself trying to find complete fulfilment in relationships and hobbies and in ‘things’. My strong conviction and practice of simplicity has at times taken a bit of a wrong turn. I haven’t always been aware at the time, but now I see that I was trying to find fulfilment where true fulfilment can’t be found. I failed. But with each failure, I know I must get back up again and just keep going. Not dwell on the failure, but look up and walk on. In getting back up, I realize that fulfilment comes from
something deeper — much deeper. It comes from finding appreciation for our every moment, whether it’s fun and interesting, basic, mundane, or by being in the service of others. And to find this fulfilment, we don’t require a companion, a hobby, a vacation, or even a cause to champion. We find it through and with God. It’s when we centre our occupations and activities around Christ, that we find true fulfilment. And with such an interior life, we no longer become disturbed by the lack of people or things around us, nor by the difficulties and trials which inevitability come our way. God is always available, right now and in every moment, in you and all around you. And when you are trying to enter into union with Him — in a relationship with Him, it’s then that you will know His joy because you will become profoundly aware of the gift that every moment of your day is — because it’s from Him. Never let any lack of person, place, or thing diminish your peace, gratitude and fulfilment. You can, and should, certainly be glad and thankful for all of the people and necessities of life that you do have around you; but don’t rely on them to bring you true fulfilment. Instead, try hard to make God your main interest and your highest desire. It’s only with Him that you will find the ultimate fulfilment and joy, the all-satisfying goal that each
person seeks in life. For me, when I notice I’m backsliding, I try hard to make an effort to get back on track and not focus on the backslide itself. Keep my eyes focused upward. To always strengthen and grow in my friendship with God. And I look forward to the day when I will be living my life in perfect companionship with Christ, so that I may live and do all things for the highest of reasons — to please Him, and not myself. And that is where true fulfilment is found, my friends.
Alan Scott is a writer and graphic designer residing in Virginia. A former Agnostic, he converted to the Catholic faith in 2004. In 2014 he started his blog GrowInVirtue.com, and is the author of The Quest for Virtue, both which focus on growing in holiness, by attempting to live a life more simple and virtuous, a life that is lived for God. When he’s not writing or designing, you’ll find him, hands dirty, in his garden. You can find him on Facebook, too. Image ©di Letitia48Maud
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: Zelie-Louise Turpin. Photo © Prolifeeurope.org
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Forthcoming Forthcoming events Events
Note new time: 7th October at 5pm
Logistics
Thirty five Prayer Posts are shown on the photograph of Gibraltar above, encircling the Rock like the beads of the rosary. Those who would like to participate should identify a Prayer Post where they will meet with others. Be there for 5pm on the 7th of October to recite the rosary on the spot. It is not the intention to walk round the Rock. There will be special prayers for the day given out. Bring as many brothers and sisters as possible from your parish, movement or prayer group. A live feed broadcasting prayers from the Shrine of our Lady of Europe will be available via mobile phone. Look out for the leaflet shown here in your parish church.
HOPE
cordially invites all
Expectant Mothers
Family and Friends to a
MASS
at Sacred Heart Church on Wednesday 16 October at 7pm
215 main street
tel 20071717
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News
Bishop Carmel receives Orthodox Archimandrite
I
n August this year Bishop Carmel received The Most Reverend Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Demetrius (Sáez), Vicar General and Parish Priest of the Parochial Nucleus of the Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas in Gibraltar at the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned. The courtesy visit was made with the blessing and in representation of His Eminence Polycarp, Metropolitan Archbishop of Spain and Portugal and Exarch of the Mediterranean Sea (Ecumenical Patriarchate). During their interview, which took place in an atmosphere of brotherly love, Bishop Carmel and Archimandrite
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Demetrius discussed issues of common interest and talked about the general state of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches. At the end of the visit, Archimandrite Demetrius presented Mgr. Carmel with a beautiful pectoral Cross in Byzantine style.
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Mgr. Mark Miles presents his credentials to the Director General of the OAS
Mgr. Mark Miles, who readers will know has been Pope Francis’ translator during many international trips, has left the Vatican Secretariat of State to serve in Washington, DC, in a new position as “permanent observer” at the Organization of the American States. It is the first time the Holy See will have an office dedicated to the OAS. Until now, the position has been held by the Holy See Permanent
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Observer to the United Nations. The Organization of American States, includes permanent members from 35 independent states in North and South America, as well as many Caribbean nations. On taking up the new appointment Mgr. Mark asked for the prayers of “all in my home diocese of Gibraltar”. Image: Monseñor Mark Miles with the Secretary General of the OEA, Luis Almagro
Training for Life
Bethany Janzen on better communications for a pro-life, pro-women, pro-love and pro-truth Europe.
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he Gibraltar Pro Life Movement (GPLM) invited Bethany Janzen of Pro Life Europe to provide training on engaging in pro-life conversations.
Pro Life Europe, is a youth organisation that has been instrumental in setting up Pro Life student groups across Europe, including the first in Austria and Germany. Pro Life Europe assert that every life is meaningful and should be protected, from conception to natural death. They quote the shocking statistic that abortion ends the life of one out of six Europeans each year. Their vision is to liberate Europe from abortion in our lifetime.
The group do this by going to where their peers are universities and schools - to transform culture. They gather with friends and like-minded pro-lifers, forming groups, and reaching campuses, schools and communities. They support pregnant and parenting students. They help women who have experienced abortion find healing. The informative training was held last month in the St. Theresa’s Seminar Room. If you would like to find out more about Bethany Janzen’s group contact prolifeeurope.org online or on facebook. If you would like more information on how GPLM are helping new and expecting
mothers locally in Gibraltar call Mob: 54067935 or email gibraltarprolifemovement@ gmail.com Images, top: prolifeeurope.org, above Uponthisrock.gi
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Life as we know it
Image: Illustration of a human being after one week’s development in the womb. From conception the little one is already a unique individual. “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.” Jeremiah 1:5
Cof Human The
ommencement
L
ife
For a human life to exist on earth two things are necessary – there must be a physical human body, and that body must have been “ensouled” by God.
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t is the union of the soul with the physical body that enables humans to “self-realise”, to ask and seek answers to such questions as: “Who am I?”; “What am I?”; “What happens when I die?”; “Is there a God?” To become intelligent, self-aware adults. For this to happen God creates each and every human being immediately and individually. So what constitutes a physical human body? A sperm penetrates the wall of
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the ovum, and this leads to the fusion of their pronuclei, and the combining of their chromosomes to form a new cell. This fertilized ovum, known as a zygote, is the beginning of a human being, a new, genetically distinct human organism with its full complement of 46 chromosomes. It is a complete genetic unity, physically recognisable as a unique human, as will later be demonstrated in unique physical features such as
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Please write to: The Chairman, Christian Mission Trust, 4 South Pavilion Road, Gibraltar.
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Rev. Dr. Bernard Farrell-Roberts writes fingerprints, body shape, facial features and so on. Following conception this new child brings a great gift to his or her mother. Through a process called Microchimerism cells from both mother and foetus move back and forth across the placenta, resulting in one becoming a part of the other. During pregnancy, as much as 10 per cent of the freefloating DNA in the mother’s bloodstream comes from the foetus, and some of these cells remain in the mother as a natural protection against the rejection of the unborn child. These cells are in the mother’s bloodstream, skin and all major organs, and have even been detected in beating hearts! As foetal cells they act in the mother to counter unhealthy cells and therefore diseases, leading to a statistical lengthening of a mother’s life expectancy. Children too carry a population of cells acquired from their mothers well into adulthood, and women can pass these cells onto their own offspring. A woman who had a miscarriage or terminated a pregnancy will still carry in her body these foetal cells. With each successive conception, the mother’s reservoir of foreign material grows deeper and more complex, with further opportunities to transfer cells from older siblings to younger ones, or even across multiple generations. The view that a human being’s life begins at conception has nothing to do then with religious teaching or belief, it is scientific fact, recognised in numerous published peer review articles and reference books. Even pro-
abortion philosophers such as David Boonin acknowledge this fact. In his book “A Defence of Abortion”, he wrote “A human foetus after all is simply a human being at a very early stage in his or her development,” and Pro-Choice philosopher Peter Singer wrote in his book “Practical Ethics”, “there is no doubt that from the first moments of its existence an embryo conceived from human sperm and eggs is a human being.” After conception the sperm no longer exists, neither does the ovum, but a new human life does! We know that the unborn are alive, that they are human, and that they are whole organisms. They are the offspring of human parents and have human DNA. All they need to grow into mature Human Beings is care, a suitable ambient temperature, nourishment, food and drink. Sounds familiar doesn’t it? – it is what all Human beings need to flourish physically! This human organism is just like you and I, with the same Human Rights that you and I
enjoy. Old Age, adult, teenager, child, infant, foetus, embryo, blastocyst, zygote: these are all stages in the development of the life of a human organism or being, and our stage of development should not impact at all on the way we are treated. All human beings, regardless of how able-bodied they are, or how mentally developed they are, regardless of their age, race, sex, or any other factor, should be treated equally and have an absolute right to life. And ensoulment? The creation and union of the body and soul of Jesus Christ, and
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the Incarnation of the Divine Nature with His human nature, all occurred at the moment of the Incarnation, at the very moment of the virgin conception. As Jesus is: “like us in all things except for sin,” what is true for Jesus in His humanity is also true for us in our humanity: the life of each human being, just as Christ’s did, with body and soul united, begins at conception.
Images, Opposite; 1 week pregnant ©motherandbaby.co.uk. Above; The Annunciation, Lorenzo Di Credi (1459-1537) Ufizzi Gallery, Florence
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Life
Anne Mesilio writes
Is
worth
HURRICANE DORIAN
“You have to have faith;
It’s a miracle our home is still even standing,”
O
n a recent visit to the cemetery I stumbled and almost fell.
My friend laughed and opined that if I had killed myself I was in the right place! OK, so I laughed too but looking around at the many tombstones I could not help but reflect and wonder if everyone now at rest had felt that life had been worth living, or not? If there is one constant in life it is change and one sure fact is that while we may try to embrace change we sure do not like it. That of course is a general rule. Some life changes are small, but the acknowledged major ones according to the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, like death, divorce, separation, major illness, injury, job loss, moving house or country, usually cause stress levels that may topple our sense of security as well as self esteem.
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Illness ranks high as life changers; stroke, heart attack, cancer, and dementia are real concerns today. These often cause personality changes which can be difficult to deal with for everyone, maybe especially the immediate family who have to struggle with this new and often terrifying scenario. Adjusting to a new reality can be a real challenge because we are not taught to expect or deal with it. Change can be forced upon us and be challenging or stimulating. It happens in our families, workplaces and even in our social lives. All this begs the question; is life worth living? Life matters. The Tao says “one who persists is a person of purpose”. I like that because we live, indeed coexist with other living beings in this chain of existence. We have watched in horrified
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fascination as hurricane Dorian decimated communities in the Bahamas. The struggle to recover will be on going for some years to come and despite this encumbrance I have heard people rejoicing to be alive
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even as they stand amid the total destruction of homes. One woman through her distress and tears, standing amid the ruins of her life sobbed, in a very heartfelt and moving way; “everybody is hurting, but we
Living? thank God for life” another explained to a reporter, “You have to have faith; It’s a miracle our home is still even standing,” Ecclesiastes 7;8, “Better is the end of a matter than the beginning”. I had to think about that and decide that a survivor has hope, is cognisant of what has happened and ready to go on from there in charge of the situation and no doubt considers life worth living! If we trust in God then we experience the fundamental fact of existence which is the foundation stone upon which our lives are built. I have no doubt that God did not create us to be defeated, discouraged, frustrated wandering souls in search of heart peace. Only I can live my life, we have been
given the gift of free will so we can make choices that help us live our lives at a better pace. “Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be” (Abraham Lincoln). We all know how life gives us moments and reasons that make us feel upset or glad, it is an endless cycle. How we deal with these times is defined by the way we perceive them. We have choice, choice to dwell on the negative or focus our energies on looking for, and celebrating good. Joy may be fleeting but it imbues a sense of well being and encourages hope. We limit our own growth if we are unable to express ourselves or always try to conform for others. Be true to
Saint Pope John Paul 11; “we are facing an enormous and dramatic clash between good and evil, death and life, the “culture of death” and the “culture of life”. We find ourselves not only “faced with” but necessarily “in the midst of” this conflict: we are all involved and we all share in it, with the inescapable responsibility of choosing to be unconditionally pro-life.” (Evangelium Vitae)”
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yourself. I began by asking if life is worth living, the answer of course is yes, and yes again. Living happily is not a requirement, better to be fulfiled with peace of mind, a sense of community, friendship, and above all; “do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts”. Images: Stress scale graphic ©paindoctor.com. Bahamas ©AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa. Pope John Paul II ©ncregister. com. Peace heart ©Biblebox Dreamstime.com
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Our Lady of Sorrows Triduum culminates in traditional evening procession on Catalan Bay beach
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n the evening of Sunday 15th of September Bishop Carmel led the traditional procession of Our Lady of Sorrows through the village of Catalan Bay. (See front cover.)
This event takes place every year at the culmination of the triduum in honour of Our Lady of Sorrows. The feast dates back to the 12th century. The devotion to “Our Lady of Sorrows” focuses on Mary’s intense suffering during the passion and death of Christ. Also known as “The Seven Dolors,” referring to the seven swords that pierced the Heart of Mary, her spiritual martyrdom as the Mother of God, and her compassion with the sufferings of her Divine Son, Jesus.
The seven sorrows of Mary
1. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35) 2. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15) 3. Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50) 4. Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; 12
John 19:17) 5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30) 6. The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54) 7. The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47)
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Bishop Carmel’s appeal for Aid to the Church in Need
Fionn Shiner and Marta Petrosillo
Pope blesses icon of Our Lady of Sorrows for the people of Syria O
n the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, Sunday 15 September POPE Francis blessed an icon bound for the people of Syria as part of an initiative by a leading Catholic charity to enkindle faith and hope in a country shattered by suffering.
The icon of the Our Lady of Sorrows, Consoler of the Syrian People, was blessed by the pontiff at a private ceremony in the Vatican attended by a delegation from project initiators Aid to the Church in Need. The blessing ceremony took place the same weekend as Christians in towns and cities across Syria received 6,000 rosaries blessed by the Pope a month ago – August 15, Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. ACN, which is behind the rosary initiative, has prioritised
emergency and pastoral support for Syria, completing more than 850 projects since the war began in 2011. The charity teamed up with Greek Orthodox priest Fr. Spiradon Kabbash, who created the icon, which will be sent to each of Syria’s dioceses, 34 in total, beginning with Damascus, the capital where it will be presented by the Apostolic Nuncio to Syria, Cardinal Mario Zenari.
Fr. Kabbash said he had designed the icon as a message of hope. He said: “We will send to many places in the world because they need consolation from God. The war is too heavy for the people.” Speaking after yesterday’s papal blessing ceremony, Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, President of Aid to the Church in Need (International), said that the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows gives us a lesson in
true maternal compassion. The rosary and icon initiatives came in response to reports that 2,000 Christian families have lost at least one member during the war. About 800 families have had at least one member abducted during the crisis. Image: Pope Francis with the icon and a delegation from Aid to the Church in Need © ACN/Grzegorz Gakazka.
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.
Can you give £10 a month?
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.
Since 2011 ACN has provided more than £32 million for 850 projects in Syria, including essential food aid for Internally Displaced Persons, fuel and heating for poor families and medical assistance.
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SAMUEL
The continuing serialisation of a story by Manolo Galliano.
- 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.
Chapter 6
After Samuel speaks of his special friend Jesus, Mathias shares his own experience...
Mathias stared at him in surprise and then turned to Jacob, “My friend, surely the boy is not referring to the same Jesus, who is performing all these great miracles and wonders everywhere?” Jacob nodded and replied, “Yes, the very same one! We got to know him some time back when he was just a carpenter in our little town of Nazareth. Even then, he impressed me very much as being an extraordinary person, and Rachel and I have now come
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to believe that he could well be the Messiah, for whom we have been waiting so long.” “I personally no longer have any doubt about it,” Mathias stated, “Some weeks back, Esther and I had to travel to Bethany, which is just over the other side of the Mount of Olives, because we had received news that a dear friend of ours, Lazarus, was seriously ill. However, when we arrived, we found out that he had died that very morning, so we took part in the funeral rites and decided to stay with his sisters to try to comfort them. What struck us most,” he noted, “was the strange attitude of one of the sisters, Martha. She was so certain that this man, Jesus, could have cured her brother, that she could not get over the fact that despite sending him countless urgent messages for him to return to Bethany, he had apparently not bothered to even answer her and now her brother was dead! So much so, that when he finally appeared four days later, she rushed out to meet him in the outskirts of the village and actually told
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him off about it. And what I am going to tell you now is true, my friends, because I was present and saw and heard everything that happened on that day.” “I remember that she told him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died, but I also know that even now, God will give you whatever you ask of Him’. Jesus, who to my mind, appeared to be rather put out by her words, replied, ‘Your brother shall rise again’, to which she retorted, ‘Yes, I do know that he will rise again on the Last Day!’” Mathias could see that Jacob and his daughter were hanging on to every word that he was saying. “Well,” he continued, “Jesus looked at Martha and then uttered some really incredible words ‘I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this, Martha?’ To which she answered, ‘Yes, Lord, I do believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who
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was to come into the world.’ Jesus then told her to go and fetch her sister and without another word, she run back to the village, leaving us all in a state of bewilderment.” Esther then interrupted her husband, “In the meantime, I myself was with the other sister, Mary, in her house, sitting with her and some other women on the floor, trying to console her in her grief, when Martha arrived like a whirlwind and exclaimed, ‘Mary, get up, quickly, the Teacher is here and is asking for you!’. The sisters seemed like madwomen as they rushed out of the house, through the village, like huge ravens, the black robes and veils fluttering behind them. The other mourners and I, tried to keep pace with them, thinking all the time that they were going to the grave to weep there.” Jacob smiled, trying to picture poor plump Esther waddling as fast as she could, behind the two agitated sisters. Mathias then resumed the account of the story, “Yes, they both arrived to where Jesus and all
the rest of us were, and as soon as Mary saw him, she threw herself at his feet, crying out, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died!’ I remember that we were all so taken up with the emotion of the events, that we were soon all crying as well. Even Jesus was sighing and weeping openly. This made me think that he must have loved Lazarus very much to be so deeply moved.” “Just then,” Mathias continued, “Jesus asked the sisters where they had buried Lazarus and once they had reached the spot, he rather surprisingly ordered the stone to be removed from the entrance to the cave. We were all horrified at the idea, and Martha, who must have felt the same way, answered, ‘There will be a very bad smell, Lord. He has now been buried four days!’ Jesus calmly replied, ‘Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?’ And so they obeyed him and rather reluctantly ordered some men to roll the stone away.” “What happened next?” asked Rebecca. “Well,” Mathias replied, “Jesus looked up to Heaven and in a loud voice, which seemed as if he was groaning in the spirit, cried out, ‘I thank you, Father, that you listen to me. I know that you always listen to me, but I say this for the sake of the people here, so that they will believe that you sent me.’ With this, he called out in a loud voice. ‘Lazarus, come out!’ There was complete silence for a few minutes, and then to everybody’s shock, the impossible happened! Lazarus emerged from the darkness of the tomb into the morning light, hobbling along, with his feet and hands still wrapped in
grave clothes, and with a cloth round his face. We all fell to the ground, astounded, and then I stared as Jesus wondering what kind of man this was, and, that is when I knew for certain that he was the Messiah!” Jacob noticed that Mathias’ lips were trembling and he appeared about to burst out crying after telling them this awesome news. His wife, Esther, looked at him and continued the account, “Jesus then ordered Lazarus to be untied and once this had been done, we saw that he was the perfect picture of health. Mind you, he could not remember anything at all of his recent illness or his death; and if we hadn’t stopped them, his sisters would surely have suffocated him with their many embraces and kisses! As you can well imagine, our mourning immediately changed to celebration, and the next few days were filled with feasting and dancing. People came from all over to look at Lazarus and since then many have come to believe in Jesus.” The conversation was interrupted by the distant sounding of the trumpet warning them that the Sabbath approached and that it was time to stop whatever they were doing. They all soon got ready and after the customary prayer at the doorway, they entered a long, brightly lit room where a low table had been set with beautifully decorated pottery bowls and goblets. They all sat down on cushions on the paved floor, which was covered with brightly coloured thick carpets and the ceremonial meal commenced. The wine was blessed and drunk in turn and then they shared the main meal composed of dishes of mutton with rice, beans and leeks. Some time later, and feeling quite exhausted after their long journey, Jacob bid his hosts goodnight and he and his family retired to bed where they soon fell asleep. To be continued…
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