See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.
1 John 3:1
Sometimes it is hard to believe in resurrection. Sometimes, when segregation, division, violence and hate rule the day, it is hard to believe in resurrection. For this reason, I was really happy to welcome Sarah and John from the Rossing Center to Memorial this week. No matter how difficult and challenging we find the conflict in Gaza from here, they live it every day. Not only do they live it, but they have chosen to jump into the middle of this conflict and seek healing, hope, and reconciliation.
I do not know why it is our human nature to seek out conflict. but I do know that one way that we cope with our own difficulties is to focus elsewhere on problems and purported enemies that seem so much bigger and more terrible than what we see around us. So I am grateful for the reminder from John that we are all Children of God, and I am grateful for the witness of Sarah and John who showed us what it means to believe that the other is also a child of God.
It is true that no dialogue between community members, either here or in Jerusalem, is going to end the conflict in Gaza. We have limited influence over the powers and principalities that drive violence and conflict the world over.
But it is also true that when we open up and listen to those who disagree with us, even vigorously, and seek to see them first and foremost as Children of God, it is much harder to hate them. Whether they are Israeli or Palestinian, Black or White, Republican or Democrat, or even Yankees fans.
In this Easter Season we re-read the stories of Jesus returning to his disciples after the resurrection. The first thing he says to them is "Peace be upon you." especially when they were startled and terrified. So we too, perhaps, should seek peace in our hearts and in our lives.
One concrete way to practice peace building is to listen to those more closer to the conflict than we are. Below is a video series produced by the Diocese of Jerusalem featuring clergy from around the Diocese. I encourage you to listen to the first two episodes and continue coming back each week during the Easter season to here from our siblings in Christ in the region.