At this moment I am waiting, waiting, waiting . . . at the Israeli wall checkpoint that separates Bethlehem from Jerusalem. I just visited the Church of the Nativity, touched the smooth limestone of the cave where Mary is believed to have given birth to Jesus, touched the stone manger originally filled with water to feed sheep, then miraculously filled with the One who became Living Water for all.
And now it's the checkpoint. Passport out, I sit waiting for soldiers to board our bus. There's a different kind of waiting in the Holy Land during Advent this year. Waiting for hours to get through checkpoints. Waiting for the water truck to bring water. Waiting for sons and daughters, husbands and wives to return from war. Waiting for the wall to come down. Waiting for families to reunite. Waiting for peace that never comes.
And yes, waiting for the Prince of Peace to be born anew. Waiting for something to change, something to shift this Advent season. Waiting, waiting, waiting.
The Rev. Canon Eliz. Greitz At a pilgrimage/study course St George's College, Jerusalem
I'm thinking about the balance between waiting and the call to be the catalyst so no one has to wait for peace anymore... the challenge of our baptismal vows...
To strive for justice and peace is not a call to wait until it's convenient.... CAG+
This came across my desk today....
ReplyDeleteAt this moment I am waiting, waiting, waiting . . . at the Israeli wall checkpoint that separates Bethlehem from Jerusalem. I just visited the Church of the Nativity, touched the smooth limestone of the cave where Mary is believed to have given birth to Jesus, touched the stone manger originally filled with water to feed sheep, then miraculously filled with the One who became Living Water for all.
And now it's the checkpoint. Passport out, I sit waiting for soldiers to board our bus. There's a different kind of waiting in the Holy Land during Advent this year. Waiting for hours to get through checkpoints. Waiting for the water truck to bring water. Waiting for sons and daughters, husbands and wives to return from war. Waiting for the wall to come down. Waiting for families to reunite. Waiting for peace that never comes.
And yes, waiting for the Prince of Peace to be born anew. Waiting for something to change, something to shift this Advent season. Waiting, waiting, waiting.
The Rev. Canon Eliz. Greitz
At a pilgrimage/study course
St George's College, Jerusalem
I'm thinking about the balance between waiting and the call to be the catalyst so no one has to wait for peace anymore... the challenge of our baptismal vows...
To strive for justice and peace is not a call to wait until it's convenient.... CAG+