Joy in the Desert: Part Two

Greetings,

As I promised a couple of weeks ago, I have now received a photo of Nuri Elokbi. It's taken at the site of his protest tent in the Negev Desert (Late November 2008). The photo was taken by one of my CCS friends.

Blessings,

Rob.

What Brings You to the Manger?

One late afternoon, around about the 26th of November, after arriving in Bethlehem our CPT delegation met up at the Church of the Nativity.

The Church of the Nativity is built over and surrounding the place where it is recorded that Mary gave birth to her firstborn - as son: Jesus. Essentially, the Church of the Nativity marks the place where Christianity began, with the humble - and at the time, seemingly inconsequential - birth of a Jewish baby to devout Jewish parents.

Throughout the ages, the Church of the Nativity has never lost its significance in the eyes and hearts of Christians. Today, it stands as a testament, not only to Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and the Magi, but also to all of the church and political leaders, the monastic orders and monks, the crusaders and pilgrims who have revered it and idolized it and adorned it in as many ways as possible, so that each visitor might find something personally moving in its story.

I would suggest that, at its most religious and spiritually captivating, the Church of the Nativity is a sacred pilgimage site. And, I would suggest that, at its least flattering, the Church of the Nativity - with its columns and mosaics and lamps, and the Grotto and its gift shops and tours - the Church of the Nativity is little more than a photo-op and a check mark on a vacation To-Do list.

To say that I was somewhat cynical during my brief visit to the Church of the Nativity might be an understatement.Now granted, I totally trust the cliche that says we only get out of an experience as much as we're willing to put into it, but my visit to the Church of the Nativity was not very inspiring. And, I'm kind of disappointed that I didn't get more out of it, as it is impossible to know whether or not I will ever have the opportunity to return.

But then, I think about the night of December 24th and the reasons that draws us into churhes and places of worship. In some ways, it seems to me that in our coming from our homes on Christmas Eve, to worship in a church sanctuary - to celebrate the Nativity - is liken to a pilgrimage. In some ways, it seems to me that the metaphor our church sanctuaries embrace on Christmas Eve is that of the Grotto - the place where it all began.

But what is it that brings you to the manger, really?

Do you come out of reverence? If so, reverence for whom or for what?

Do you come out of obedience or a sense of responsibility to some kind of long-standing, unexplained family tradition - because it's something we always do?

Do you come because you want to party? It's Christmas; do we always need a reason to party?

Do you come on some sort of quest? Are you looking or searching for something? Are you in need of answers to some difficult questions? Are you trying to understand what all the hype is about? Are you hoping for some kind of spiritual revelation?

Do you come to pray? Do you come, just to be? Perhaps there's a hope, though not an expectation, that you will encounter the Holy? Perhaps you'll meet an angel? Perhaps you'll see the star?

What is it that brings you to the manger?

We might have one or two, or many reasons for being drawn to the manger on Christmas Eve. Truth be known, the only person we have to justify why we come too, is our self.

All that I would suggest is that our participation in the celebration of Christmas began with a promise. It began with a promise from God - a promise revealed in the birth of a child. A child that would be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace. A child that would have such hope placed upon him, that throughout the world people would experience an almost primal need to remember him. People would experience such a powerful sense of needing to remember that they would be drawn back to the promise, back to where it all began, back to the manger. And there, amidst the straw and the bands of cloth, they would discover again the news of great joy that offers peace and love, to all.

Blessings,

Rob.

(This post was the body of my reflection at the Christmas Eve services in Gainsborough and Carievale.)

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Greetings,

Yesterday my reflection was focused on the place where some people might argue "it all started." The story of the Christian faith, that is... Bethlehem... And, in light of this focus, I wanted to share with you an excerpt from my reflection:

"When I was in Bethlehem at the end of November, and although I probably should have known better, I was surprised that it really didn't look anything like I've been led to believe it looks like on the different Christmas cards I've seen. Indeed, it was nothing like that, at all.

"Probably the two most powerful images that I saw while I was in Bethlehem were murals painted on the sides of buildings. The first was probably six or eight feet in diameter. It was of a dove, in full flight with its wings spread. It was looking straight ahead - at the artist, so to speak. And this dove, with its penetrating stare, was wearing a bullet-proof vest. And, superimposed over the heart of the dove was the laser target from some kind of weapon that is meant to challenge the entire peace process...

"The second image, also a mural, showed a larger-than-life Israeli soldier with his back to the artist. His arms were raised above his head and spread against the wall of the building he was painted onto. His feet were spread and set back from the wall. It was a painting of an Israeli soldier, assuming the position of the oppressed... There was one other piece of this mural. It was the painting of a small girl in a frilly dress, reaching out to "pat down" the soldier. For me, the image simply illustrated the disparity between the oppressed and the oppressor in the conflict that plagues the Holy Land. And I have to say that, it often doesn't seem to make a lot of sense."

And so, I hold these images carefully as I think about how time has been difficult for the City of David and how I hear the title of its Christmas hymn as a lament...

In this season of hope, peace, joy and love, in the understanding and acceptance that in all the major faith traditions, God or Yahweh or Allah, are revered because of their love and justice, I pray that the people will follow the path of their God, and that that path will begin in hope, travelling through justice, to arrive at peace.

Blessings,
Rob.

Once again, when I receive photos of these murals, I'll post them.

Joy in the Desert

As this Advent journey toward Christmas continues, I have tried to focus my thoughts each week, on the Lectionary theme of the week. With this week being the one in which the candle of Joy will be lit in many Advent wreaths, I have been conscious of where I have recognized joy, in light of my experience in the Middle East.

Well, one image of joy that is burned brightly into my memory comes from our delegation's tour through northern parts of the Negev Desert, where we visited with several Bedouin in their villages and homes. Most of these villages are "unrecognized" by the government and a number of the homes have demolition orders served on them.

Anyway, the image of joy that is burned brightly into my memory is that of Nuri Elokbi who is adamantly protesting for the rights of the Bedouin as citizens of Israel. When our delegation visited with him at his protest tent on the edge of the Ambassador’s Forest in the Negev, one member of our group got a photograph of him… Now in his late 60s, Nuri’s face is dark and wrinkled by the desert sun and wind. But it’s not a harsh, hard-looking face; it’s soft and gentle. His eyes are dark and bright. His hair, once he uncovered his head from the kefiya he was wearing, was neat and is mostly gray… And the photograph shows him with this wonderful, beautiful, amazing smile on his face…

To me, Nuri’s is the face of joy in the desert. His face reflects the desperate search through uncertainty that results in hope… His face reflects the energy one must give up to be a maker of peace… His face shines with love… Pure and simple love… The face of the Holy…

And so, as I continue my preparations for Joy Sunday, I will hold the image of Nuri Elokbi's face in my memory.

Blessings,

Rob.

(When I get a copy of the photo I spoke about above, I will post it. Also, this posting includes an excerpt from my "Reflections & Ponderings" for Sunday, December 14, 2008. For an email copy of the complete text, please drop me a line. R.)

A Prayer for the State of Israel

Greetings,

As I continue to process my experience of two intense weeks in the Holy Land, I am mindful that it isn't necessarily helpful to submit to name-calling or finger-pointing. Jesus calls us to put as much - if not more - energy into loving those who we call "enemy," as we do into loving those who we call friend. With this understanding then, I invite you to read and reflect upon the following prayer, which comes to us via the organization Rabbis for Human Rights. I believe it models Jesus' call and offers us a sliver of hope that the difficult work of peace-making is worth the energy.

Let us pray...

"Sovereign of the Universe, accept in loving-kindness and with favor our prayers for the State of Israel, her government and all who dwell within her boundaries and under her authority. On the 60th anniversary of her founding, reopen our eyes and our hearts to the wonder of Israel and strengthen our faith in Your power to work redemption in every human soul. Grant us also the fortitude to keep ever before us those ideals to which Israel dedicated herself in her Declaration of Independence, so that we may be true partners with the people of Israel in working toward her vision, which has not yet been completely fulfilled.

"Grant the courage, wisdom and strength to do Your Will to those entrusted with guiding Israel's destiny. Guide them in the paths of peace and give them the insight to recognize Your Image in every human being. Be with those whose shoulders Israel's safety depends and defend them from all harm. May they have the strength to protect their country and the spiritual fortitude never to abuse the power placed in their hands.

"Spread Your Blessings over the Land. May Justice and Human Rights abound for all her inhabitants. Guide them "To do Justice, love Mercy and walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8), and to do Your Will so that "... Justice will well up like water, righteousness like a mighty stream" (Amos 5:24). Implant tolerance and mutual respect in every heart, and may all realize that, "We were not brought into this world for conflict and dissension, nor for hatred, jealousy, harassment or bloodshed. Rather, we were brought into this world in order to recognize You, may You be blessed forever" (R. Nahman or Bratzlav). Spread over Israel and all the world Your Shelter of Peace, and may the vision of Your prophet soon be fulfilled: "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (Isaiah 2:4).

"So may it be Your Will that, speedily and in our day, all inhabitants of the earth will say of the State of Israel, "It is very good" (Genesis 1:31); for she will have become a blessing to the entire world and a "Light unto the nations.""

Amen.

Blessings,
Rob.

Back Home Again

Greetings,

Well, I'm back!

I arrived in Canada during the late evening of Tuesday, December 2, after about 27 hours of travel. Thankfully, travel to and from Israel did not present any significant incidents - it was virtually trouble-free.

As I return I am filled with a great sense that there are so many stories to share. My hope and intention over the next few weeks (and months) is to share them, as much is possible, so that others might catch a glimpse of what this experience was all about. In this sharing I can only imagine that I might create a mosaic of this one Holy Land experience; a mosaic that will offer points of connection for those who follow along; points where you might find a resonance with your own story.
So, as we continue this journey, I will offer stories and reflections, photos and prayers, songs and videos, web site links and book titles that help to add to the richness of the 14 days I spent in Palestine and Israel.

Shukran,
Rob.

(The photo of the tree was taken at Tuwani.)