The description of your journey, Mark, sounds a lot like mine. For decades, my white, American evangelical background led me to feel disloyal anytime I considered Israel at fault for anything. I began moving away from my myopia when I read a couple of books on Orthodox theology in 2008. Christians in Palestine made a difference for me back then, and you bring it up again for me here.
This past spring, my wife and I went to a pro-Palestinian encampment at George Washington University and spoke with a student representative there for a long time. (If people in my former church could see me now! I remember thinking.) Just getting to know a pro-Palestinian demonstrator helped me a lot.
I just ordered Justice and Only Justice, and I can't wait to read it. Thank you for the recommendation and for your candid account of your own journey thus far about this issue.
Great to hear from you, Bryce, and thanks for weighing in and sharing about your experience of visiting an encampment. Will be curious to hear what you think of Justice and Only Justice!
Thank you, Mark, for this. It took me back to a fact-finding trip Tessa and I made to Israel/Palestine through Sabeel in 2007. I just wrote a post about it (giving you some ink!) at sandandsky.org. I so admire Ateek and Sabeel's witness.
Hi David - thanks for chiming in and I'm humbled for your kind words and that this reflection brought back memories with Friends of Sabeel North America. I so appreciate your perspective here, the practical action we can take of calling our congressperson about restoring UNRWA support, as well as you bringing up Rachel Corrie's death. May living waters of peace and justice flow!
I must admit that I feel very removed and powerless when thinking of the people of Gaza. I do have compassion for them - a college friend of mine was from Palestine, and he described a childhood rife with guns and violence. This was many years ago, and ever since I’ve thought of the Palestinians as victims of world politics, innocent victims. There is something I can do - I can pray for justice, peace, and liberation for them. Thanks, Mark.
Mark, Thanks so much for your sharing and research on this issue. We run Bethlehem University in Bethlehem, Palestine. One of my American Brothers and friend has worked there 20 years. I was able to visit about ten years ago and stay at the University. I met the students, Christian and non-Christian Palestinians. I've followed their plight since. I visited a refugee camp while I was there with a young employee of the school. The camp was his family home. His aunt served us hot tea in glasses that jelly had come in and asked our pardon because she didn't have anything more to offer us. All our brothers working at BU are pro-Palestinian. The brother, who has been in charge at BU for 15 years, just left the position and, as a final gesture before returning to New Zealand, he walked the Camino Santiago to raise money for the University. I will send your column on to my friend, Brother Peter Iorlano there, as he always tries to find ways teach about the Palestinian people and work for their liberation. I share your desire to know what to do in this complicated situation. I prayed at the wall, while there, with others. I pray today at home. What is happening in Gaza is genocide. We can at least keep praying and educating. I hope you keep writing on this as you learn more. your brother, john mcmahon, fsc
Hi John, I really appreciate your comment here. It's wonderful to hear of the reach of the FSC brothers in Bethlehem, and about your time visiting the University and refugee camp. What good work you and your community do and have done! Yes and amen to continual prayer, education, and learning. Warmly, Mark
The description of your journey, Mark, sounds a lot like mine. For decades, my white, American evangelical background led me to feel disloyal anytime I considered Israel at fault for anything. I began moving away from my myopia when I read a couple of books on Orthodox theology in 2008. Christians in Palestine made a difference for me back then, and you bring it up again for me here.
This past spring, my wife and I went to a pro-Palestinian encampment at George Washington University and spoke with a student representative there for a long time. (If people in my former church could see me now! I remember thinking.) Just getting to know a pro-Palestinian demonstrator helped me a lot.
I just ordered Justice and Only Justice, and I can't wait to read it. Thank you for the recommendation and for your candid account of your own journey thus far about this issue.
Great to hear from you, Bryce, and thanks for weighing in and sharing about your experience of visiting an encampment. Will be curious to hear what you think of Justice and Only Justice!
Thank you Mark, all I want is peace! Stop the fighting and Forgive. There is so much inner work to do and love.
Thank you, Mark, for this. It took me back to a fact-finding trip Tessa and I made to Israel/Palestine through Sabeel in 2007. I just wrote a post about it (giving you some ink!) at sandandsky.org. I so admire Ateek and Sabeel's witness.
Hi David - thanks for chiming in and I'm humbled for your kind words and that this reflection brought back memories with Friends of Sabeel North America. I so appreciate your perspective here, the practical action we can take of calling our congressperson about restoring UNRWA support, as well as you bringing up Rachel Corrie's death. May living waters of peace and justice flow!
I grieve...
I must admit that I feel very removed and powerless when thinking of the people of Gaza. I do have compassion for them - a college friend of mine was from Palestine, and he described a childhood rife with guns and violence. This was many years ago, and ever since I’ve thought of the Palestinians as victims of world politics, innocent victims. There is something I can do - I can pray for justice, peace, and liberation for them. Thanks, Mark.
Thanks for your comment, Korie! And yes, praying with you.
Mark, Thanks so much for your sharing and research on this issue. We run Bethlehem University in Bethlehem, Palestine. One of my American Brothers and friend has worked there 20 years. I was able to visit about ten years ago and stay at the University. I met the students, Christian and non-Christian Palestinians. I've followed their plight since. I visited a refugee camp while I was there with a young employee of the school. The camp was his family home. His aunt served us hot tea in glasses that jelly had come in and asked our pardon because she didn't have anything more to offer us. All our brothers working at BU are pro-Palestinian. The brother, who has been in charge at BU for 15 years, just left the position and, as a final gesture before returning to New Zealand, he walked the Camino Santiago to raise money for the University. I will send your column on to my friend, Brother Peter Iorlano there, as he always tries to find ways teach about the Palestinian people and work for their liberation. I share your desire to know what to do in this complicated situation. I prayed at the wall, while there, with others. I pray today at home. What is happening in Gaza is genocide. We can at least keep praying and educating. I hope you keep writing on this as you learn more. your brother, john mcmahon, fsc
Hi John, I really appreciate your comment here. It's wonderful to hear of the reach of the FSC brothers in Bethlehem, and about your time visiting the University and refugee camp. What good work you and your community do and have done! Yes and amen to continual prayer, education, and learning. Warmly, Mark