Tag: israel and hamas war

The war raging in the Holy Land isn’t holy. Like all wars, it horrifies us. Wars throughout the Middle East, occasionally clad in a peek-a-boo veil of “holy war,” have for millennia been secular.

It does not matter if you are pro-Palestinian or pro-Israel. What matters most is humanity and being pro-peace.

Last weekend when I woke up and checked my phone it didn’t feel like a normal Saturday. A hole was created in my chest. When I saw Israel was attacked by Hamas, my heart sank deep in my chest. And it has hit me hard. Way harder than I expected.

Even though I appreciate how the Israelis have “made the desert bloom,” it has come at a great price for the local Palestinians.

As Israel readies a massive military response to Hamas’ attack from the Gaza Strip, Jewish, Muslim and Christian religious leaders and faith-based activist groups are mounting a campaign calling for a cease-fire.

This has been a long week with frustrating and frightening news that is both far away and close to home. Last Sunday, we prayed for the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East and also for our mission partners at Odyssey Youth Movement.

I fear that we, as a society, have become callous to news that doesn’t affect us directly.