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.)

Itinerary

Greetings!

Well, one more sleep in my own bed, and then one sleep at a friend's house before I'm off!

I thought that I would share some information about getting to Israel from home, and the return plans. First, I fly from Winnipeg to Toronto on Tuesday, November 18. From Toronto it will be on to Vienna, Austria and then on to Tel Aviv, Israel. Arrival in Tel Aviv is scheduled for late afternoon on Wednesday, November 19 (with the time change, this will be earlier in the day on the 19th in Canada). Our delegation leader will meet us at the airport in Tel Aviv and drive us to the Golden Gate Hostel.

The return sees departure from Tel Aviv, a brief stop in Vienna, back to Toronto, and then to Winnipeg, all on December 2. I have plans to stay a couple of extra days in Winnipeg, to debrief with some classmates who are also part of this delegation.

As far as where we'll be and what we'll be doing while we're in Israel, I can't say for sure. We're also told that access to communication (i.e., internet and telephone) will be minimal. As such, it is likely that I won't post anything new until I return. For those who are just finding their way to this site, it will give you a chance to catch up on past posts and some of the links, if you wish.

Thanks for following. We'll talk soon.

Blessings,
Rob.

The Blind Men and the Elephant

Greetings,

As I pondered last night's offering, into the dark of night, I remembered this story and I thought about how it connects with the differences between my truth and yours, as an example...

It was six men of Indostan

To learning much inclined,

Who went to see the Elephant

(Though all of them were blind),

That each by observation

Might satisfy his mind.

The First approach'd the Elephant,

And happening to fall

Against his broad and sturdy side,

At once began to bawl:

"God bless me! but the Elephant

Is very like a wall!"

The Second, feeling of the tusk,

Cried, -"Ho! what have we here

So very round and smooth and sharp?

To me 'tis mighty clear

This wonder of an Elephant

Is very like a spear!

"The Third approached the animal,

And happening to take

The squirming trunk within his hands,

Thus boldly up and spake:

"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant

Is very like a snake!"

The Fourth reached out his eager hand,

And felt about the knee.

"What most this wondrous beast is like

Is mighty plain," quoth he,

"'Tis clear enough the Elephant

Is very like a tree!"

The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,

Said: "E'en the blindest man

Can tell what this resembles most;

Deny the fact who can,

This marvel of an Elephant

Is very like a fan!"

The Sixth no sooner had begun

About the beast to grope,

Then, seizing on the swinging tail

That fell within his scope,

"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant

Is very like a rope!"

And so these men of Indostan

Disputed loud and long,

Each in his own opinion

Exceeding stiff and strong,

Though each was partly in the right,

And all were in the wrong!

MORAL.
So oft in theologic wars,

The disputants, I ween,

Rail on in utter ignorance

Of what each other mean,

And prate about an Elephant

Not one of them has seen!

John Godfrey Saxe ( 1816-1887)

Blessings,

Rob.

What Isn't Being Said

Hello,

I thought that it would be good to name that there are some topics concerning Israel and the Palestinian Territories that I have not addressed, to date. My reason for this is that the things I know are interpreted from what I've read. They are not things which I have experienced first hand, and though I might trust the sources of the information, they are not my stories.

Still, I would like you to recognize that the stories I've read about the Separation Wall are stories that I carry. Perhaps I will be enlightened to its purpose, its limitations, and even its virtues once I meet some of those who contend with it on a daily basis...

And I would like you to recognize that the stories I've read about the political situation - the impending election - are stories that I carry. Perhaps I will learn from another's experience, the privilege it is to participate freely in decision-making. Perhaps I will be party to the hopes and fears of change; change that has the ability to radically alter one's life...

This evening I also read an internet story about a rocket attack in Gaza... The ramifications of this upon my journey may or may not be fully known in such a time as to affect this delegation. The truth is that for as much as we can prepare for anything, the reality we experience can be profoundly different from anything we might anticipate.

Someone told me today that to understand God's time, God's will, God's purpose for us, we must be patient. This is good advice as the number of sleeps (4) until I wing across the Atlantic become fewer and fewer. And so, the best preparation I can think of is to be rested and open; it's not to read too much into the little snippets we're fed in the media, which I am convinced has its own agenda.

And as for those things that aren't being said, maybe once they become part of my story, I'll feel more comfortable talking about them.

Blessings,

Rob.