We Live Here We Exist Here
For the last three weeks I have been participating in a prayer service that is held every Friday on a land that is threatened to be confiscated by the Israeli military for the purpose of the building the illegal separation wall. The land belongs mainly to the Christian community of Beit Jala, who are set to lose about 3000 dunums (300 hectares) of farm land, mainly olive trees. The wall is set to separate the land from its people, and also to cut any access from the town to the historic Catholic monastery Cremisan, which has been serving the town since the 19th century. (A statement from the monastery can be found here)
For the last few weeks, some of the residents of Beit Jala, along with few peace activists, have been gathering for prayer in the land, in the midst of their olive trees, in a symbolic faithful manner. The prayer takes places every Friday, and is led by Fr. Ibrahim Shomali from the Catholic Church in Beit Jala. Taking part in a Catholic Mass has been enriching. We sing (I played the guitar the last two times), pray, read the Bible, exchange the peace of Christ, and eat and drink the body and blood of Christ. We manifest our unity and solidarity with one another, and remember that Christ who unites us is with us. More importantly, we pray for justice. The people participating are hurt. They cry to God to intervene. They cry for justice.
The theme of the gatherings have been: "We live here and we exist here". A reminder of the centuries long Christian presence in this land. People were determined, yet desperate. One of my friends, who is set to lose land in this move, expressed his frustration to me. "First they took the sea from us, then they prevent us from going to Jerusalem, and now they are taking our olive trees!"
Injustice is becoming more and more the norm. The wall continues to consume and confiscate farmers land and it seems there is no stopping. (And oh by the way, for those who still believe it is a security wall, and not a unilateral enforcing of facts and borders, all they need to do is visit the Cremisan area and see for their eyes how all this could have been avoided had it not been for Israel insisting of including the small settlement of Har Gilo built on top of Beit Jala. One small settlement continues to cause harm and damage for thousands of farmers in Walaja and now the residence of Beit Jala.)
In the midst of this we continue to pray, holding fast to God's promises:
"If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them." (Ecclesiastes 5:8 ESV)
For the last few weeks, some of the residents of Beit Jala, along with few peace activists, have been gathering for prayer in the land, in the midst of their olive trees, in a symbolic faithful manner. The prayer takes places every Friday, and is led by Fr. Ibrahim Shomali from the Catholic Church in Beit Jala. Taking part in a Catholic Mass has been enriching. We sing (I played the guitar the last two times), pray, read the Bible, exchange the peace of Christ, and eat and drink the body and blood of Christ. We manifest our unity and solidarity with one another, and remember that Christ who unites us is with us. More importantly, we pray for justice. The people participating are hurt. They cry to God to intervene. They cry for justice.
The theme of the gatherings have been: "We live here and we exist here". A reminder of the centuries long Christian presence in this land. People were determined, yet desperate. One of my friends, who is set to lose land in this move, expressed his frustration to me. "First they took the sea from us, then they prevent us from going to Jerusalem, and now they are taking our olive trees!"
Injustice is becoming more and more the norm. The wall continues to consume and confiscate farmers land and it seems there is no stopping. (And oh by the way, for those who still believe it is a security wall, and not a unilateral enforcing of facts and borders, all they need to do is visit the Cremisan area and see for their eyes how all this could have been avoided had it not been for Israel insisting of including the small settlement of Har Gilo built on top of Beit Jala. One small settlement continues to cause harm and damage for thousands of farmers in Walaja and now the residence of Beit Jala.)
In the midst of this we continue to pray, holding fast to God's promises:
"If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them." (Ecclesiastes 5:8 ESV)
إِنْ رَأَيْتَ ظُلْمَ الْفَقِيرِ وَنَزْعَ الْحَقِّ وَالْعَدْلِ فِي الْبِلاَدِ فَلاَ تَرْتَعْ مِنَ الأَمْرِ لأَنَّ فَوْقَ الْعَالِي عَالِياً يُلاَحِظُ وَالأَعْلَى فَوْقَهُمَا
الكتاب المقدس- العهد القديم - سفر الجامعة ٨:٥
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