‘I understood the cross as the destiny of God’s people. Those who understood the cross of Christ should take it upon themselves on everybody’s behalf.’ Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.

St Teresa Benedicta was born Edith Stein in 1891. In 1922 she was convinced by her experiences and study to become baptized. Eleven years after her baptism, Germany was in the grip of the Nazis. She joined the Carmelites in 1934, and understood her vocation to be that of intercession for the people, much like the biblical Queen Esther. On 20 July 1942 the Dutch Bishops’ Conference had a statement read in all churches condemning Nazi racism. In retaliation the authorities ordered the arrest of all Jewish converts to Christianity. I wonder how many Bishops were arrested and put to death? It’s always the sheep, never the shepherds. Well, the Gestapo arrested Sr. Teresa, together with her sister Rosa who had also converted from Judaism. In the face of imminent peril Teresa encouraged her sister: ‘Come, we are going for our people’. Teresa Benedicta was taken to Auschwitz along with other Jewish Christians where finally they were killed on 9 August 1942. St Teresa Benedicta, you bore a heavy cross in imitation of Christ. Pray for us as we bear our crosses too, that we may remain faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ in any and every circumstance.

Talking about suffering…..The United States is a nation pulling apart to a degree unknown in the last twenty-five years. A decade of strong national economic growth in the 1990s left many of America's communities falling far behind median national measures of economic health. Despite the investments in transportation and public facilities infrastructures, massive movements of capital and people, and the expectations of most regional economists over the past forty years, the nation's regional development patterns are becoming more uneven. Income inequality is on the rise. The number of communities falling behind the national economic average is increasing. This tendency has been most pronounced in recent years, when trade liberalization and globalization have greatly opened the American economy. America is again facing this serious challenge. Once again we can make a difference if we choose to look this issue in the eye and invest in people and communities.

Today: I have slept each night since arriving, without A/C, just a fan and it has been very comfortable. Last night was 75 degrees, after the late evening rains came. Now, I am just back from a 5 miles bike ride and ready to shower. I am learning that you shut your windows and doors as soon as the sun shows f face until the sun is gone, then the coolness stays in, minus the hot air that would have entered. I do most cooking in the yard, on a grill, so I try to cook enough for a few days. There is always egg salad and tuna salad for a quick mean. Today: Roast Pork, mashed potato, mixed vegetables and fruit pitaya for dessert.

That is Pitaya the pink fruit also called Dragon Fruit, up in th eright hand corner.