When I was 17, I traveled with other Disciples of Christ youth to the United Nations in New York for an International Affairs seminar. First, we heard a briefing from the Palestinians and then a briefing from the Israelis. I remember how sitting in each briefing I felt complete support for each position. This feeling rose up again in me while I traveled to Israel in 2019 with our congregation on a Biblical history tour. When we were briefed by a missionary about the history of Palestinians, I felt grief and deep empathy. When we learned about Israeli history I felt deep sadness and compassion. Our tour guide was Israeli, and she opted to get off the bus when we went into Palestinian territory to see the town of Bethlehem. Even then I was hurt to learn that the birthplace of the Prince of Peace was a place where some of God’s beloved did not feel safe or welcome.
You have seen the horrific reports of violence and war unfolding in Israel and Gaza in recent days. Innocent children and grandparents in their own homes and youth at peace concerts, suddenly bombed, captured and brutally treated, and now a hospital, the Episcopal Hospital which is a partner agency of our own Disciples Global Mission, has suffered damage from a bomb that landed in the parking lot. This tragedy – whether accidental or intentional – has been condemned by people around the world. And yet what is a doctor to do? A patient to do? The condemnation has come too late. Lives are lost. The innocent are dead. A generation is forever marred. Refugees have nowhere to go.
Though I have attempted to grasp the complexities of the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, I know that I do not begin to know the solutions. What I do know is that Judaism, Christianity and Islam all worship a God of peace. We are all descendants of Abraham.
In a text holy to all three spiritual traditions, we read:
“Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other”
Psalm 85:10
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it”
Psalm 34:14
How do we pursue peace? How will righteousness and peace kiss? The diplomatic solutions are complex because the history of the current crises is long and complex. But our faith is clear.
We are called to open our ears and hearts. This means taking in reports from more than one source. Listening to views different from our own. In addition to current news there are great books to explore. And Rev. Dr. Mike Graves and Dr. David May are leading a class on Nov. 5 at 10am on this topic. We must pray. I genuinely believe that if everyone in the world prayed for peace every day, then we would build a world of peace. Prayer changes us. We rise up to create justice. Perhaps there is something we can do to work for peace internationally. But definitely, there is something we can do locally. Where we see division, we can invest our energy in building bridges among God’s people.
As people of faith, we can seek God’s vision for peace. I love what Abraham Lincoln said when asked if God was on the side of the Union during the Civil War. “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side . . . .”
