Each Thursday at noon in Jerusalem, Sabeel holds a Communion service that is open to the community. It is a time to join together to celebrate the Eucharist, to discuss how the scriptures apply to our lives today, and to pray for the specific needs of this region. Following the 2006 Sabeel International Conference, the Friends of Sabeel coordinators met and discussed the idea of "Waves of Prayer." The premise is that in their respective time zones, individuals and groups around the world will pray together at 12:00 on Thursdays, in solidarity with Sabeel in Jerusalem and with "Friends of Sabeel" worldwide. Starting in Australia, passing through Palestine, and on around the world we will pray for Peace with Justice and focus on specific issues each week.
Wave of Prayer for Thursday, December 30, 2010
During this blessed Christmas season we give praise to all our friends around the world for their support to our Wave of Prayer. We pray for them, their families and friends. We give thanks for their continuous and warm commitment and ask the Lord to strengthen our fellowship through this Wave of Prayer and the work for Justice and Peace.
With the Prayer Cycle of the World Council of Churches, we pray for: Ghana, Nigeria
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle.html
Thursday, December 30, 2010
CMEP Advent Reflections: Christmas
“Prince of Peace” 2010 Advent and Christmas Sunday Reflections
Blessing Every Effort for Peace
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
- Isaiah 9:2-7 (NRSV)
In their Christmas message this year the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem praised God’s desire, shown through the birth of Christ, for the heavenly light of peace to prevail on Earth over the darkness of sin. They see the role of the Church as encouraging all people to build bridges of understanding, not walls of separation. Just as we seek to break down walls that separate us from God, so we must work to take down the walls of fear that separate us from each other in our daily lives.
A passive desire for peace in the Holy Land cannot be effective. The faithful hope for peace requires active participation from each of us. The Churches in Jerusalem and Christians across our country are working together with a diversity of faith groups and ethnicities. Strong bridges are being built to overcome the darkness of indifference, despair and conflict.
Strong leadership is essential. Both good people and good institutions are needed to break down walls of distrust and develop better ways of cooperation. Heads of state and government need support from churches and civil society organizations if they are to succeed. As one step toward this goal of cooperation and trust, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem are now participating in the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land, which includes Jewish and Muslim leaders in Jerusalem. This is a blessing. May God bless every effort for peace.
- Warren Clark
Executive Director, Churches for Middle East Peace
For Meditation
What are the blessings of peace in your life? What are the blessings for which you pray that you may receive and for which you pray that others may receive? What are the differences between the two?
Prayer
Lord, help me to work for the blessing of your peace.
Lord, help me to recognize your peace when it is in me and around me.
Lord, help me to desire peace for my neighbor as much as for myself.
And, for all the help I know you give. Thank you.
Blessing Every Effort for Peace
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
- Isaiah 9:2-7 (NRSV)
In their Christmas message this year the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem praised God’s desire, shown through the birth of Christ, for the heavenly light of peace to prevail on Earth over the darkness of sin. They see the role of the Church as encouraging all people to build bridges of understanding, not walls of separation. Just as we seek to break down walls that separate us from God, so we must work to take down the walls of fear that separate us from each other in our daily lives.
A passive desire for peace in the Holy Land cannot be effective. The faithful hope for peace requires active participation from each of us. The Churches in Jerusalem and Christians across our country are working together with a diversity of faith groups and ethnicities. Strong bridges are being built to overcome the darkness of indifference, despair and conflict.
Strong leadership is essential. Both good people and good institutions are needed to break down walls of distrust and develop better ways of cooperation. Heads of state and government need support from churches and civil society organizations if they are to succeed. As one step toward this goal of cooperation and trust, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem are now participating in the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land, which includes Jewish and Muslim leaders in Jerusalem. This is a blessing. May God bless every effort for peace.
- Warren Clark
Executive Director, Churches for Middle East Peace
For Meditation
What are the blessings of peace in your life? What are the blessings for which you pray that you may receive and for which you pray that others may receive? What are the differences between the two?
Prayer
Lord, help me to work for the blessing of your peace.
Lord, help me to recognize your peace when it is in me and around me.
Lord, help me to desire peace for my neighbor as much as for myself.
And, for all the help I know you give. Thank you.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Sabeel Wave of Prayer
Each Thursday at noon in Jerusalem, Sabeel holds a Communion service that is open to the community. It is a time to join together to celebrate the Eucharist, to discuss how the scriptures apply to our lives today, and to pray for the specific needs of this region. Following the 2006 Sabeel International Conference, the Friends of Sabeel coordinators met and discussed the idea of "Waves of Prayer." The premise is that in their respective time zones, individuals and groups around the world will pray together at 12:00 on Thursdays, in solidarity with Sabeel in Jerusalem and with "Friends of Sabeel" worldwide. Starting in Australia, passing through Palestine, and on around the world we will pray for Peace with Justice and focus on specific issues each week.
Wave of Prayer for Thursday, December 23, 2010
On Sunday, Human Rights Watch released a 166-page report, "Separate and Unequal," which describes "the two-tier system of laws, rules, and services that Israel operates for the two populations in areas in the West Bank under its exclusive control, which provide preferential services, development, and benefits for Jewish settlers while imposing harsh conditions on Palestinians." It condemns "such different treatment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, and national origin and not narrowly tailored to meet security or other justifiable goals" and calls for a number of actions to avoid supporting Israeli settlement policies, including for the US to withhold aid to Israel in an amount equal to what Israel spends on the settlements, about $1.4 billion. We pray for hearts and minds across the globe to be open to this report and its suggestions. (http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/12/18/israelwest-bank-separate-and-unequal)
The Israeli military demolished three water cisterns and two wells that pre-dated 1967 in the Southern West Bank for no given reason. We pray for the villagers and animals who depended on these wells for drinking water in an area where life-giving water is extremely scarce, and for an end to this senseless and destructive violence.
We pray for the many pilgrims coming to Bethlehem for Christmas, that they will be given the opportunity to see beyond the ancient stones to the "living stones," the people of this land who are struggling for a life of peace with justice.
As Christmas comes ever nearer, we remember all those who gather for cultural events and performances. We give thanks for groups such as Shibat, or the "gray-haired ones," a six-man rock 'n roll Christmas band who bring joy that is often absent in the struggles of daily life under occupation to young and old in this blessed season.
(http://www.thisweekinpalestine.com/details.php?catid=11&id=2364&edid=149)
With the Prayer Cycle of the World Council of Churches, we pray for:
Ghana, Nigeria:
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle/week-52-ghana-nigeria.html
(http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle.html)
Thursday, December 16, 2010
CMEP Advent Reflections:Week Four
“Prince of Peace” 2010 Advent and Christmas Sunday Reflections
Do You Believe that God Fulfills Promises?
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
- Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV)
Matthew tells us about the birth of Jesus with a focus on Joseph, while elsewhere in scripture, Luke compliments the telling of the story with more of the perspective of Mary.
Observant of the law and concerned about his own reputation according to the customs of his time, Joseph came to face the troubling matter of Mary being with child before they were married. We’re told that Joseph was both a just and compassionate man who was not hasty to judge or react with hurt or anger. Instead, we learn that he intended to carry out the righteous act of leaving Mary in a merciful way, leaving her quietly.
But the angel of the Lord reminds Joseph, “do not be afraid” and guides Mary and Joseph to an understanding that “God is with us” in the midst of their troubling reality. The angel of the Lord leads both Joseph and Mary to deeper understanding of their own lives and to a new and different path upon which to journey as they go forth together with their soon-to-be-born son whom, “you are to name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Through the message of the angel to Joseph, we too are given the confidence to go forth in the midst of our troubling reality as we face obstacles, barriers, lack of safety and mistrust. Perhaps the angel of the Lord is calling us to be free from the customs of our time that might hold us back. Could it be that the guidance of the angel to Mary and Joseph might also remind us of the promises of God foretold by the prophets of old, that even today “God is with us” as we face our apparently troubling matters?
As Joseph and Mary were guided toward a new path in the work entrusted to them, bringing forth new life, so too may this same God guide us all into an intimacy with God that is beyond all understanding and an awareness that propels us to act in communion with our sisters and brothers who are in need, to free the oppressed and the oppressor, to act justly and to walk tenderly with our God.
- Brother Jack Curran, FSC, PhD
Bethlehem University in the Holy Land, Vice President for Development
Prayer
Oh God,
Continue to send your angels
into my path.
Dispel my fears and stir in me the grace of your Spirit.
Lead me and guide me in my efforts to be of service for those you entrust to my care.
For Meditation
Are you ready to believe in the promises of God, even when you face perplexing circumstances and what may seem like insurmountable problems? Is there something that is holding you back from being more attentive to the promptings of the Spirit of God? Do you hear the angel of the Lord leading you today?
Do You Believe that God Fulfills Promises?
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
- Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV)
Matthew tells us about the birth of Jesus with a focus on Joseph, while elsewhere in scripture, Luke compliments the telling of the story with more of the perspective of Mary.
Observant of the law and concerned about his own reputation according to the customs of his time, Joseph came to face the troubling matter of Mary being with child before they were married. We’re told that Joseph was both a just and compassionate man who was not hasty to judge or react with hurt or anger. Instead, we learn that he intended to carry out the righteous act of leaving Mary in a merciful way, leaving her quietly.
But the angel of the Lord reminds Joseph, “do not be afraid” and guides Mary and Joseph to an understanding that “God is with us” in the midst of their troubling reality. The angel of the Lord leads both Joseph and Mary to deeper understanding of their own lives and to a new and different path upon which to journey as they go forth together with their soon-to-be-born son whom, “you are to name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Through the message of the angel to Joseph, we too are given the confidence to go forth in the midst of our troubling reality as we face obstacles, barriers, lack of safety and mistrust. Perhaps the angel of the Lord is calling us to be free from the customs of our time that might hold us back. Could it be that the guidance of the angel to Mary and Joseph might also remind us of the promises of God foretold by the prophets of old, that even today “God is with us” as we face our apparently troubling matters?
As Joseph and Mary were guided toward a new path in the work entrusted to them, bringing forth new life, so too may this same God guide us all into an intimacy with God that is beyond all understanding and an awareness that propels us to act in communion with our sisters and brothers who are in need, to free the oppressed and the oppressor, to act justly and to walk tenderly with our God.
- Brother Jack Curran, FSC, PhD
Bethlehem University in the Holy Land, Vice President for Development
Prayer
Oh God,
Continue to send your angels
into my path.
Dispel my fears and stir in me the grace of your Spirit.
Lead me and guide me in my efforts to be of service for those you entrust to my care.
For Meditation
Are you ready to believe in the promises of God, even when you face perplexing circumstances and what may seem like insurmountable problems? Is there something that is holding you back from being more attentive to the promptings of the Spirit of God? Do you hear the angel of the Lord leading you today?
CMEP Advent Reflections:Week Three
“Prince of Peace” 2010 Advent and Christmas Sunday Reflections
Patience is Not Waiting
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
-James 5:7-11 (NRSV)
Having been raised in rural Ohio, I felt a small-town kinship when I first moved to the Palestinian village of Beit Jala, just south of Jerusalem. Connection to the land came from the sense of purpose and fulfillment that working the land gives people. Being in close relationship to the Creator through cultivating a harvest and providing for one’s family and community can give people who do this work a profound fulfillment.
Being close to the land entails a patience that is different from what many of us in the modern U.S. understand as waiting. If you have ever planted a field or had a garden you know there is much to do beyond planting and sowing. Preparing the ground, weeding, being watchful of unhealthy pests and many other tasks are activities that take place year-round.
All people plant with the expectation of harvest. However, we are not necessarily planting in fields of earth. In today’s text James is talking about farming to people who understood that patience and waiting are not the same things. Patience understands that there are things in our lives which take preparation, effort and investment of resources. Waiting doesn’t have to meaning killing time. We wait for what takes time, and in the meantime we prepare. We prepare our hearts and minds to be at peace while we work for peace. We work at building relationships with other people that will not only help peace find a home in our world, but relationships that are themselves the fruits of peace.
This past October I led a band of pilgrims to the Holy Land of Israel and Palestine. There were two activities that were at the core of our experience and exemplified the intersection of our faith, politics and personal journeys. For several mornings we picked olives with Palestinian Muslim and Christian farmers in Beit Jala. We also celebrated Shabbat with Jewish Israelis in Jerusalem. We will continue our work while we wait, expectant and ready, for peace.
- Reverend Doris Warrell
PrayerAll are blessed by having endurance and patience.
All are blessed by finding strength in God and in the children of God.
All are blessed by having faith that the rains will come, and peace will prevail.
For MeditationWhat are the actions I need to take to prepare for peace? Do I follow my calling as a peacemaker in not only what I do but how I do it? How do I avoid grumbling against others while doing my work as a peacemaker? Am I in touch with the source of my strength?
Patience is Not Waiting
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
-James 5:7-11 (NRSV)
Having been raised in rural Ohio, I felt a small-town kinship when I first moved to the Palestinian village of Beit Jala, just south of Jerusalem. Connection to the land came from the sense of purpose and fulfillment that working the land gives people. Being in close relationship to the Creator through cultivating a harvest and providing for one’s family and community can give people who do this work a profound fulfillment.
Being close to the land entails a patience that is different from what many of us in the modern U.S. understand as waiting. If you have ever planted a field or had a garden you know there is much to do beyond planting and sowing. Preparing the ground, weeding, being watchful of unhealthy pests and many other tasks are activities that take place year-round.
All people plant with the expectation of harvest. However, we are not necessarily planting in fields of earth. In today’s text James is talking about farming to people who understood that patience and waiting are not the same things. Patience understands that there are things in our lives which take preparation, effort and investment of resources. Waiting doesn’t have to meaning killing time. We wait for what takes time, and in the meantime we prepare. We prepare our hearts and minds to be at peace while we work for peace. We work at building relationships with other people that will not only help peace find a home in our world, but relationships that are themselves the fruits of peace.
This past October I led a band of pilgrims to the Holy Land of Israel and Palestine. There were two activities that were at the core of our experience and exemplified the intersection of our faith, politics and personal journeys. For several mornings we picked olives with Palestinian Muslim and Christian farmers in Beit Jala. We also celebrated Shabbat with Jewish Israelis in Jerusalem. We will continue our work while we wait, expectant and ready, for peace.
- Reverend Doris Warrell
PrayerAll are blessed by having endurance and patience.
All are blessed by finding strength in God and in the children of God.
All are blessed by having faith that the rains will come, and peace will prevail.
For MeditationWhat are the actions I need to take to prepare for peace? Do I follow my calling as a peacemaker in not only what I do but how I do it? How do I avoid grumbling against others while doing my work as a peacemaker? Am I in touch with the source of my strength?
Thursday, December 09, 2010
CMEP Advent Reflections:Week Two
“Prince of Peace” 2010 Advent and Christmas Sunday Reflections
Living With Division
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
-Romans 15:4-6 (NRSV)
Last week we were asked to consider if we thought we could ascend to the mountaintop. Is it possible to for Israelis and Palestinians to realize that violence is not the means to a better future? Yes it is, and in fact many people already do see that the violence caused in the name of their nations has yet to achieve the security and justice sought by either peoples. But not everyone thinks this way.
So how do we, as followers of Jesus, live in the spectrum of perspectives, ideas and the people that hold them? How do we ascend to the mountaintop holding tight our expectation of peace while knowing that the reality of our disagreements and divergent perspectives make a challenging journey even more difficult?
How? We put one foot on the ground before us, and then the other foot. We stand grounded in God who gives us strength through scripture. We stay connected to the people who help us grow in faith and understanding, and even help us stay on the trail up the mountain. We work together, with grace-filled, forgiving hearts knowing that if Palestinian and Israeli peace advocates can walk together then certainly we Americans, who do not live under the daily threats and realities of violence in the Holy Land, can reach across what divides us and walk up the mountain together.
- The Reverend Doris Warrell, CMEP Field Director
PrayerMay the God of steadfastness and encouragement guide us to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus. May we together with one voice glorify God, our Father/Mother, our brother and Lord Jesus Christ, and the Spirit which transcends all. Amen
For MeditationWhere do I tolerate division from another person in my life? How can I expect others to do what I will not? What can I do this week to remove the division from me and my neighbor? What do I need to do to build up my community for peacemaking and not warmaking?
Living With Division
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
-Romans 15:4-6 (NRSV)
Last week we were asked to consider if we thought we could ascend to the mountaintop. Is it possible to for Israelis and Palestinians to realize that violence is not the means to a better future? Yes it is, and in fact many people already do see that the violence caused in the name of their nations has yet to achieve the security and justice sought by either peoples. But not everyone thinks this way.
So how do we, as followers of Jesus, live in the spectrum of perspectives, ideas and the people that hold them? How do we ascend to the mountaintop holding tight our expectation of peace while knowing that the reality of our disagreements and divergent perspectives make a challenging journey even more difficult?
How? We put one foot on the ground before us, and then the other foot. We stand grounded in God who gives us strength through scripture. We stay connected to the people who help us grow in faith and understanding, and even help us stay on the trail up the mountain. We work together, with grace-filled, forgiving hearts knowing that if Palestinian and Israeli peace advocates can walk together then certainly we Americans, who do not live under the daily threats and realities of violence in the Holy Land, can reach across what divides us and walk up the mountain together.
- The Reverend Doris Warrell, CMEP Field Director
PrayerMay the God of steadfastness and encouragement guide us to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus. May we together with one voice glorify God, our Father/Mother, our brother and Lord Jesus Christ, and the Spirit which transcends all. Amen
For MeditationWhere do I tolerate division from another person in my life? How can I expect others to do what I will not? What can I do this week to remove the division from me and my neighbor? What do I need to do to build up my community for peacemaking and not warmaking?
Thursday, December 02, 2010
CMEP Advent Reflections:Week One
"Prince of Peace" 2010 Advent/Christmas Sunday Reflections
Advent is a time of expectations. Biblically we return to scriptures that tell us the story of God coming to dwell with us through the birth of a baby while politically we work and prepare for the birth of peace. How timely it is then that this year CMEP’s Advent theme is “Prince of Peace.”
We hope that these selections of scripture and reflections will help you be more centered on the religious reasons we celebrate and our shared work and hope for peace in the Middle East. These reflections were written by individuals from a variety of Christian traditions represented on CMEP’s Board of Directors. With the connection between our faith and our call as peacemakers it is important that we acknowledge and celebrate our being and working as Christians by being vigilant in keeping our efforts rooted in faith.
We encourage you to read these reflections to deepen your spiritual life and your connection with people in the Holy Land. We also encourage you to share these reflections with others you know who are working for peace in the Middle East. You can either send this PDF document or refer them to www.CMEP.org.
Reflections
First Week of Advent reflection by The Reverend Canon Robert Edmunds, Chaplain to the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, Canon Pastor of the Cathedral of St. George. Canon Edmunds, and his wife Deborah, serve as Appointed Missionaries of the Episcopal Church on the staff of the Right Reverend Suheil Dawani, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
First Sunday of Advent
Seeking the Mountain Top
The word that Isaiah son of
Amoz saw concerning Judah
and Jerusalem. In days to come
the mountain of the LORD’s
house shall be established as
the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised above the
hills; all the nations shall stream
to it. Many peoples shall come
and say, “Come, let us go up to
the mountain of the LORD, to
the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his
paths.” For out of Zion shall go
forth instruction, and the word
of the LORD from Jerusalem. He
shall judge between the
nations, and shall arbitrate for
many peoples; they shall beat
their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning
hooks; nation shall not lift up
sword against nation, neither
shall they learn war any more.
O house of Jacob, come, let us
walk in the light of the LORD!
-Isaiah 2:1-5 (NRSV)
Whenever mountaintops are mentioned in the Bible, we do well to pay
attention. The high places were often associated with important events,
revelations and visions from God's very hand. Moses at Mt. Sinai, Jesus in prayer
on various mountains and the Transfiguration all come to mind. In this passage
the holy mountain of Jerusalem, referred to as Zion, is brought into sharp focus
as God's dwelling place from which all the nations are invited to come and learn
to walk in the light of the way of the Lord.
This vision is inspiring to all who work, pray and hope for peace, both here in
Jerusalem and throughout the world. The power of all people coming in humility
to learn of God's way of life to turn away from division, violence and war towards
God's way of light provides a vision of hope for the future of all creation.
However, the historical record since Isaiah's vision suggests that war has indeed
been learned and learned too well over many centuries. Blood has run through
the streets of Jerusalem in times past and politically inspired violence continues
in many of her neighborhoods even now. Despite Isaiah's vision; despite the
tears Jesus shed as he overlooked the Holy City; despite centuries of prayers in
the holy places by faithful people, Jerusalem has yet to experience the peace
which Isaiah envisions.
Is the mountaintop too high to ascend? Is it possible to ask people to set aside
old agendas? Is it possible that religious and political leaders can walk together
"in the light of the Lord"? Is it possible for old enemies to no longer learn war
anymore?
Christians in the Land of the Holy One continue to believe, with all evidence to
the contrary, that all things are possible for those who love the Lord because if
peace is possible here in Jerusalem, peace is possible for everyone.
- The Reverend Canon Robert Edmunds, Chaplain to the Anglican Bishop in
Jerusalem, Canon Pastor of the Cathedral of St. George
For MeditationWhat will it take to make Isaiah's
vision real? Who continues to gain by
keeping the status quo? Who loses
without peace in the Land of the Holy
One?
Prayer
Lord, help me want to see the
mountain top.
Spirit, guide my feet.
Creator, pick me up when I fail and
give me the strength of will to take
one more step up the mountain.
Amen.
Advent is a time of expectations. Biblically we return to scriptures that tell us the story of God coming to dwell with us through the birth of a baby while politically we work and prepare for the birth of peace. How timely it is then that this year CMEP’s Advent theme is “Prince of Peace.”
We hope that these selections of scripture and reflections will help you be more centered on the religious reasons we celebrate and our shared work and hope for peace in the Middle East. These reflections were written by individuals from a variety of Christian traditions represented on CMEP’s Board of Directors. With the connection between our faith and our call as peacemakers it is important that we acknowledge and celebrate our being and working as Christians by being vigilant in keeping our efforts rooted in faith.
We encourage you to read these reflections to deepen your spiritual life and your connection with people in the Holy Land. We also encourage you to share these reflections with others you know who are working for peace in the Middle East. You can either send this PDF document or refer them to www.CMEP.org.
Reflections
First Week of Advent reflection by The Reverend Canon Robert Edmunds, Chaplain to the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, Canon Pastor of the Cathedral of St. George. Canon Edmunds, and his wife Deborah, serve as Appointed Missionaries of the Episcopal Church on the staff of the Right Reverend Suheil Dawani, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
First Sunday of Advent
Seeking the Mountain Top
The word that Isaiah son of
Amoz saw concerning Judah
and Jerusalem. In days to come
the mountain of the LORD’s
house shall be established as
the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised above the
hills; all the nations shall stream
to it. Many peoples shall come
and say, “Come, let us go up to
the mountain of the LORD, to
the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his
paths.” For out of Zion shall go
forth instruction, and the word
of the LORD from Jerusalem. He
shall judge between the
nations, and shall arbitrate for
many peoples; they shall beat
their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning
hooks; nation shall not lift up
sword against nation, neither
shall they learn war any more.
O house of Jacob, come, let us
walk in the light of the LORD!
-Isaiah 2:1-5 (NRSV)
Whenever mountaintops are mentioned in the Bible, we do well to pay
attention. The high places were often associated with important events,
revelations and visions from God's very hand. Moses at Mt. Sinai, Jesus in prayer
on various mountains and the Transfiguration all come to mind. In this passage
the holy mountain of Jerusalem, referred to as Zion, is brought into sharp focus
as God's dwelling place from which all the nations are invited to come and learn
to walk in the light of the way of the Lord.
This vision is inspiring to all who work, pray and hope for peace, both here in
Jerusalem and throughout the world. The power of all people coming in humility
to learn of God's way of life to turn away from division, violence and war towards
God's way of light provides a vision of hope for the future of all creation.
However, the historical record since Isaiah's vision suggests that war has indeed
been learned and learned too well over many centuries. Blood has run through
the streets of Jerusalem in times past and politically inspired violence continues
in many of her neighborhoods even now. Despite Isaiah's vision; despite the
tears Jesus shed as he overlooked the Holy City; despite centuries of prayers in
the holy places by faithful people, Jerusalem has yet to experience the peace
which Isaiah envisions.
Is the mountaintop too high to ascend? Is it possible to ask people to set aside
old agendas? Is it possible that religious and political leaders can walk together
"in the light of the Lord"? Is it possible for old enemies to no longer learn war
anymore?
Christians in the Land of the Holy One continue to believe, with all evidence to
the contrary, that all things are possible for those who love the Lord because if
peace is possible here in Jerusalem, peace is possible for everyone.
- The Reverend Canon Robert Edmunds, Chaplain to the Anglican Bishop in
Jerusalem, Canon Pastor of the Cathedral of St. George
For MeditationWhat will it take to make Isaiah's
vision real? Who continues to gain by
keeping the status quo? Who loses
without peace in the Land of the Holy
One?
Prayer
Lord, help me want to see the
mountain top.
Spirit, guide my feet.
Creator, pick me up when I fail and
give me the strength of will to take
one more step up the mountain.
Amen.
Sabeel Wave of Prayer
Each Thursday at noon in Jerusalem, Sabeel holds a Communion service that is open to the community. It is a time to join together to celebrate the Eucharist, to discuss how the scriptures apply to our lives today, and to pray for the specific needs of this region. Following the 2006 Sabeel International Conference, the Friends of Sabeel coordinators met and discussed the idea of "Waves of Prayer." The premise is that in their respective time zones, individuals and groups around the world will pray together at 12:00 on Thursdays, in solidarity with Sabeel in Jerusalem and with "Friends of Sabeel" worldwide. Starting in Australia, passing through Palestine, and on around the world we will pray for Peace with Justice and focus on specific issues each week.
Wave of Prayer for Thursday, December 2, 2010
We join many across the world in praying for life-giving rain, especially in this dry region. Last month Muslims, Christians and Jews gathered to pray for rain in al-Walajeh village, while Israeli and Palestinian women came together in Jerusalem for a silent walking meditation dedicated to bringing rain. We give thanks for these peaceful gatherings that recognize each person's humanity in mutual need. We trust in you, Lord, for abundant rains to come this winter and pray that the water may be used for the benefit of all peoples.
For the second year in a row Gaza will export strawberries and carnations to Holland over the next three to five months. This Dutch government initiative that directly benefits the farmers remains the only export program in Gaza. We pray for these exports to go smoothly and unhindered and that the still-pending approval for exports of more vegetables will go through. May the inhumane Gaza blockade end quickly, bringing a future where the people of Gaza can sustain themselves in peace and freedom.
A Palestinian family of 14 was evicted by police from their home in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber after Israeli courts ruled that the sale of the homewas legal, even though it was proven that signatures used in the sale were forged. This ruling has allowed ideologically driven Jewish settlers to move in. Please be with the family, Lord, in this unjust homelessness, and with the neighborhood as tensions with illegal settlers increase, that this will not lead to further home evictions or violence.
As the Christmas Season starts we remember the many local markets and bazaars that highlight thriving Palestinian food, art, and culture. We pray for the work and people of the many organizations and towns which these benefit.
With the Prayer Cycle of the World Council of Churches, we pray for:
Liberia, Sierra Leonehttp://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle/week-49-liberia-sierra-leone.html
(http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle.html)
Wave of Prayer for Thursday, November 25, 2010
On Sunday families visiting relatives in Israel's Remon prison were assaulted by the guards after some of the women protested the way they were disrespectfully searched, injuring one wife and one mother of the prisoners. We pray for an end to this system of oppression and humiliation that has resulted in the detention of approximately 40% of the male Palestinian population in the West Bank and Gaza since 1967, not to mention women and children. We remember the families of prisoners who fear for their relatives' safety and the possibility of future arrests, and pray for their safety as they become targets of violence. (http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article9)
We pray for the "unrecognized villages," Palestinian communities in Israel not recognized by the government who thereby do not receive any social services such as roads, water, education, etc. On Monday, the Bedouin village Al-Arakib was violently demolished for the 7th time in three months, while the Prime Minister's Office blocked Tel Arad and Atir-Um al-Hiran from receiving official recognition in court. May this violence against the 76,000 people of the 45 unrecognized villages in the Negev come to an end and may they find justice in their non-violent struggle to stay on their land.
As the Advent Season begins this Sunday we pray for the world-wide church, that all who work for the Kingdom of God this new church year be filled with the joy of Christ that cannot be taken away and find strength to continue the journey of seeking peace with justice.
We pray for Sabeel's Clergy Retreat this weekend in Taybeh. As priests come together from all over Israel and Palestine for this ecumenical gathering, we pray for the Holy Spirit to enable all attendees to translate discussion of how to be a humble and hospitable disciple of Christ into action to best serve the community.
With the Prayer Cycle of the World Council of Churches, we pray for:
Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger
(http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle.html)
Wave of Prayer for Thursday, December 2, 2010
We join many across the world in praying for life-giving rain, especially in this dry region. Last month Muslims, Christians and Jews gathered to pray for rain in al-Walajeh village, while Israeli and Palestinian women came together in Jerusalem for a silent walking meditation dedicated to bringing rain. We give thanks for these peaceful gatherings that recognize each person's humanity in mutual need. We trust in you, Lord, for abundant rains to come this winter and pray that the water may be used for the benefit of all peoples.
For the second year in a row Gaza will export strawberries and carnations to Holland over the next three to five months. This Dutch government initiative that directly benefits the farmers remains the only export program in Gaza. We pray for these exports to go smoothly and unhindered and that the still-pending approval for exports of more vegetables will go through. May the inhumane Gaza blockade end quickly, bringing a future where the people of Gaza can sustain themselves in peace and freedom.
A Palestinian family of 14 was evicted by police from their home in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber after Israeli courts ruled that the sale of the homewas legal, even though it was proven that signatures used in the sale were forged. This ruling has allowed ideologically driven Jewish settlers to move in. Please be with the family, Lord, in this unjust homelessness, and with the neighborhood as tensions with illegal settlers increase, that this will not lead to further home evictions or violence.
As the Christmas Season starts we remember the many local markets and bazaars that highlight thriving Palestinian food, art, and culture. We pray for the work and people of the many organizations and towns which these benefit.
With the Prayer Cycle of the World Council of Churches, we pray for:
Liberia, Sierra Leonehttp://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle/week-49-liberia-sierra-leone.html
(http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle.html)
Wave of Prayer for Thursday, November 25, 2010
On Sunday families visiting relatives in Israel's Remon prison were assaulted by the guards after some of the women protested the way they were disrespectfully searched, injuring one wife and one mother of the prisoners. We pray for an end to this system of oppression and humiliation that has resulted in the detention of approximately 40% of the male Palestinian population in the West Bank and Gaza since 1967, not to mention women and children. We remember the families of prisoners who fear for their relatives' safety and the possibility of future arrests, and pray for their safety as they become targets of violence. (http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article9)
We pray for the "unrecognized villages," Palestinian communities in Israel not recognized by the government who thereby do not receive any social services such as roads, water, education, etc. On Monday, the Bedouin village Al-Arakib was violently demolished for the 7th time in three months, while the Prime Minister's Office blocked Tel Arad and Atir-Um al-Hiran from receiving official recognition in court. May this violence against the 76,000 people of the 45 unrecognized villages in the Negev come to an end and may they find justice in their non-violent struggle to stay on their land.
As the Advent Season begins this Sunday we pray for the world-wide church, that all who work for the Kingdom of God this new church year be filled with the joy of Christ that cannot be taken away and find strength to continue the journey of seeking peace with justice.
We pray for Sabeel's Clergy Retreat this weekend in Taybeh. As priests come together from all over Israel and Palestine for this ecumenical gathering, we pray for the Holy Spirit to enable all attendees to translate discussion of how to be a humble and hospitable disciple of Christ into action to best serve the community.
With the Prayer Cycle of the World Council of Churches, we pray for:
Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger
(http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle.html)
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