A Babe In My Arms

I have had so many thoughts and prayers over the last nearly two years, but not been able to put into words what I’m thinking and feeling.

Many times I have been on the edge of posting, but not been able to.

Today, I was listening to a short passage from the Gospel of Luke in my daily ‘Pray as you go‘ … here it is:

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’ Luke 2:33-35

The child is Jesus. Simeon is a priest in the temple in Jerusalem. Mary and Joseph have brought Jesus at 40 days old to present him to the Lord. The words said to Mary are disturbing. They point to the way that Jesus will speak truth to the powers of his day, and the opposition that he will receive as a consequence.

Having listened to the reading a couple of times, I was invited to think about a character that I identified with in the passage. Or maybe I would like to imagine holding the baby in my arms ?

I’m writing this as we are surrounded by ugliness. By actions and words that spread hate and violence.

We are in the middle of the unlawful and genocidal actions of the Zionist state of Israel.
In addition we have to contend with racism directed at those seeking refuge in our land.

All around we see forces at work that are not rooted in compassion and understanding, but cruelty and ignorance.

I imagine myself in the middle of all of this, and ask myself what do I do, or say.

Do I shout out ?
“From the river to the sea …”
Yes, I have joined in those chants, and will still do so.

Do I hold up a placard ?
“Free Palestine, save Gaza”
Yes, I have done that each week in a public space this year, and will continue to do so.

But today, I have an image of myself with thousands of people simply holding babies.
No chants,
No words,
No placards.

Just holding a baby in my arms.

To hold a placard I would need to put the baby down, or give the precious bundle to someone else.

To shout a chant I might disturb this sleeping infant.

The most important thing in my mind is to protect this baby, who speaks to me of vulnerability, of non-violence, of possibility, of innocence.

Maybe this could be a worldwide Christian witness to the self giving love of that tiny babe.
Thousands, millions of people simply holding a baby in their arms.
A witness to the disrupting power of non-violence.

Join me.

N.B. this would be intended as a symbolic protest, in case you thought I was suggesting we put real babies in danger.