What About Today?

Dear Praying People,

Mid-day Friday here. The Israeli military and police helicopters have been hovering overhead all day. There is a surveillance dirigible above my head. A burst of gunfire closeby. Friday is Muslim prayer day and there is trouble.

A few weeks ago, Israel decided that Jewish worshippers should also be able to use Al Aqsa Mosque. They say a section should be set aside for them and that on 50 Jewish holidays each year(are there 50??), the Mosque should be for the exclusive use of Jewish worshippers. Since many holidays of the two religions overlap, guess who will prevail in use of the Mosque on those days?

So on Fridays now, there are people clashing.

Al Aqsa is located on the Haram Al-Sharif, which is the Temple Mount to Jews. It was where the Second Temple was located, Jesus' temple, and so of course is of legitimate and very holy significance to Jews. However, the Temple was destroyed in 79 AD and Al Aqsa has been there housing Muslim worship for 1400 years since the 7th Century. Considering this preponderance of presence there by Muslims, it seems like it might have been possible to approach this difficult issue with some preliminary discussions and agreements. It seems like the sort of issue one might have treated with consideration and respect for another. But I guess not. Instead we get autocratic decree, enforcing it with the use of hundreds of armed soldiers resulting in injuries to the unarmed, and then blaming Arabs for being naturally prone to violence and making trouble.

The establishment of apartheid here is moving along without a hitch.

People who come here, and people around the world, are always praying for peace here. Several times each year, there are special events here of Prayers for Peace.

I don't know if prayer works or how it works, but I know that the situation here has been worsening steadily for the past 60 years, despite all these prayers, so I wonder.....

Maybe we need to be more specific in the prayers:

Maybe we should be sure to mention that the peace is supposed to be for everyone, not just the group we favor.

Maybe we should mention that peace for some should not come at the cost of oppression of the others.

Maybe we should remember that peace is not just about the all-important "security" and a minimal number of bullets being fired, but should also include the notions of justice and fairness, apology and forgiveness, conciliation and equity, respect and consideration.

If prayer works, it seems to need alot of time I guess. Like more than 60 years and counting here, for example. So maybe we can back up the prayer with something else.

The photo at the top of this blog is homes destroyed last January in the Gaza war. They still look like this because Israel has not allowed any materials into Gaza to rebuild. So the 40,000 people whose homes were destroyed still do not have a home. Winter is coming on. I hope your prayers will give people a house before that, but so far they haven't. So maybe if you pray about this, you could cc: the White House and US State Dept who are backpedaling on several issues related to the situation here at a pace that would leave Lance Armstrong envious.

I met some university students in Gaza this week who are receiving scholarship loans from a Christian organization. I'm sure that the members of that organization pray regularly, but they also do something to make a difference today.

People need jobs today. They need food today. They need healthcare today. They need the gun off their head today.

I can't tell you how often someone responds to my description of the situation here with "Oh my goodness, I'll be sure to pray about that." That is great, but maybe you could also inform yourself and then write a letter to your newspaper or legislative member; or work actively to support a candidate who supports your position; speak out when you hear misinformation; or go to the place you care about and see for yourself.

A few decades ago, when there were activists who meant it, there was a pop tune that I think about alot here. Its lyrics say.

"The tears I'm shedding now I hear will dry in time,
The fears I'm fearing now I hear will die in time,
But while I wait around for tomorrow, watching life drift away
What about, yes what about today?

I can't help wondering if tomorrow ever comes.
And what's my life been lived for if it never comes?
I've heard alot of toasts to tomorrow, but none of them ever say
What about, yes what about today?

Till nirvana comes, what about today
Till messiah comes, what about today?
Till the mountains move and oceans part and angels sing and life can start,
What about, yes what about today?"

I hope you will pray for peace here. But right after the "amen" I hope you will ask yourself, what about today?