Through My Eyes: First Hand Experience of Peace & Conflict

Where do I even begin to discuss and share the events of the day?  I am quickly getting first hand experience of what the Palestinians live each and every day.

This weekend is the Orthodox Christian Easter and there have been celebrations with processionals on the Old City Streets of Jerusalem.  The Israeli's had manned gates everywhere on the borders of the Old City making it difficult to pass through the gates.  If they objected we would wait while our tour guide persuaded them to let us through.

Our first destination was the Greek Orthodox Milkite Church where we were greeted by Archbishop Joseph.  He shared the history of their church and how they became to be in 1724 when the Catholics and Milkites united.  I loved his joyful and loving spirit.  He spoke words of wisdom and stated that "when you become close to Jesus you can get uncomfortable because we must die of all of ourselves to show our love to Jesus.  this is an expression of our conversion and love for Jesus."  He also spoke of how he embraces all and does not judge others in hopes of creating unity and showing Jesus's love.

Father Joseph shared with us the history of the frescos that decorated all of the walls and ceilings.  This particular church was built in 1841 and two Romanian brothers painted the frescos.  He shared the meaning and symbolism of icons of Jesus Christ and Mary & Jesus.  Tomorrow we will be going to their church service.  A quote of wisdom from Father Joseph is that "if we want to become one church, we must sanctify our own heads and mind."


Next we visited St. Mark's Syrian Orthodox Church where Sister Kristine shared numerous miracles.  As we were leaving St. Mark's, this is where we encountered road blocks preventing us from returning the to Old City.  We walked around to numerous gates unable to get back in.  At the New Gate, there was a large crowd and we couldn't even get close to the Israeli police to ask if we could reenter.  As we crossed the street for another plan, that is when things started to get heated with pushing and shoving with loud remarks that I couldn't even begin to understand.  I stood at a distance and observed the injustices and beginning to understand how controversy over land, power, religion and irrational behavior can escalate so quickly into conflict and turmoil. 

I now was a witness to this discriminatory and oppressive behavior.  All I could do was pray for all of those involved and that somehow peace and reconciliation could be achieved in the Holy Land.

To end our day, we visited Tantur which is an ecumenical institute that serves scholars, teachers, students, and spiritual sojourners of all Christian faiths.  We went out onto the roof top with panoramic views of looking back to Jerusalem where we just traveled on Hebron Road.  We also looked out over the West Bank that used to be a grove of trees that is now an Israeli settlement that used to be Palestinian land that was confiscated by the Israelis.  Bethlehem was outlined by the 24 foot Israeli wall with a terminal where Palestinians would have to enter and exit.

As I reflect on everything that I have experienced today,  my heart just goes out to the Palestinian people and I pray that there can be peace in the Holy Land!  Let there be peace and let it begin with me!