My chronicle

I do not wish to discuss at length the relationship between Palestine and Israel: my only comment is that suffering does not always produce compassion.

However, I cannot refrain from making a fervent plea for the necessity of obeying international law. This necessity is particularly relevant for governments. So the authorization of the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin by Sharon is an affront to civilized values. If there has been a storm of protest from Jewish religious leaders I have not heard it, and I have been listening carefully. What has happened to Judaism? I fear that Zionism corrupts, and that those who support it share in Israeli complicity.

Would to God that Zion had remained a spiritual concept; for the reality in Israel makes a mockery of imagery shared by Christians and Jews.

A few weeks ago I rashly announced the end of winter; the reality has been very different. Our compensation in Scotland has been many days of brilliant sunshine; but of course the corollary has been frosts at night. So early spring has been beautiful but deadly! I exaggerate, of course; but an old friend who emigrated from Northern Germany to the South of France often used that phrase.

I suppose that colder weather is appropriate for Lent: still a penitential season in spite of the removal of penitence (yes, I exaggerate again) from the Church's vocabulary.

Our houses are warm; so we cannot complain too much; and my greyhound seems to be surviving: at least he has not lost his desire for marathon walks! Today it snowed in England. Scots always are pleased when a powdering of snow falls in the south-east; for only the 5% of the population who live in the Scottish Highlands ever really see snow in spite of myths concerning the Scottish climate.

But a little hardship is veritable Lenten; and if Nature helps us be penitent during Lent, can we really complain?

Iraq is subjected to perpetual Lent; or should I say Ramadan? Let us hope it is a preparation for better days to come.