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.
Tag: Palestine
So, It’s Been A While
Around 20 years ago, we came a across a small Human Rights organistion called Amos Trust … named for some words in the Hebrew Bible (The book of the prophet Amos chapter 5) …
But let justice roll on like a river righteousness like a never-failing stream!
The particular aspect of their work that we support is working for Justice and peace in what one middle eastern Christian has called ‘The Land of the Holy One’
Our introduction to this came when we learned about the wall of separation that creates enclosed, shut off areas for Palestinians. We learned about the restrictions on Palestinians, and the many inequalities that they suffer.
For 20 years now, we have been learning about the roots of these injustices … which go back over 100 years – with key moments like the Balfour declaration in 1917, which started the path for the Jewish state, and everything that has happened since.
We’re seeing that all play out in a horrific way now in Gaza, in the West Bank, and in the last couple of days, the escalation in Lebanon.
So – I was looking at a part of Luke’s Gospel, in the New Testament, as I was preparing to take a service last week in our weekday service of Holy Communion.
In the early chapter of Luke’s Gospel, we see Jesus healing people on the edge of socoety – outcasts. We see Jesus healing on the Sabbath, which in the eyes of the religious leaders amounted to breaking the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy. We see Jesus calling working class fishermen to be his close followers. We see him calling even a tax collector. Jesus is pronouncing forgiveness, another aspect of what he’s doing that would have outraged the religious leaders. His teaching is even openly critical of them as rule bound and narrow.
And now Jesus has been invited to the house of a pharisee – for them to check him out. Test him. See if he really is as bad as they think.
Now there is a woman – described as ‘sinful woman,’ who has very likely heard Jesus, or at least been told enough about him to know that she needs what he is offering – that is, the opportunity for a fresh start. She hears that Jesus has been invited to the pharisee’s house and she turns up. She would have sat around the edge of the room, hoping for some food when the meal has finished. She’s waiting for Jesus to arrive, and she has come to offer thanks to him for his teaching about forgiveness. She has come prepared with some perfume. Maybe she doesn’t yet know how this is all going to work out, but she’s there because Jesus is there. She is there in reponse to knowing that she is forgiven.
Then Jesus arrives. But something is wrong. Simon, the host, does not give Jesus the customary kiss of greeting, or provide Jesus with the oil and water to wash himself. It’s an insult, and everyone knows it. And the woman sees it.
So she decides to do what Simon should have done. She has no water with which to wash Jesus’ feet, but she has her tears, and washes his feet with her tears.
She has no oil to anoint his head, but she anoints his feet with the perfume she has bought.
Simon should have given Jesus a kiss of greeting, so she kissed Jesus’ feet.
I have heard many sermons on these verses, and they have often been used to encourage us to think about our worship. What is it that we bring to Jesus ? The woman brought what was most precious – valuable perfumed ointment. Should we not also offer to Jesus the things that are most precious – our whole self ?
That’s one way to read the verses. I would like to suggest another, that seems to fit with the way Jesus’ ministry is developing.
The woman is acting in solidarity with Jesus. She is confused as to why Jesus has not had the greeting that was usual. She understands that it is an insult. But she is willing to take a risk and do for Jesus what Simon should have done.
And how will Jesus respond, after the outrageous behaviour of the woman ? The assembled pharisees might have expected him, in his position as a religious teacher, (however much they might have been suspicious of him) to be uncomfortable, even hostile to what the woman has done.
But Jesus comes to her defence. He sides with her. He acts in solidarity with her. And by doing so, he will further antagonise the religious leaders and demonstrate that what he has come to do is not limited to working within the boundaries of what they accept. He has come to challenge the very dynamics of power that exist.
And the call to us is to follow his lead. To see where power is being used to oppress, and stand in solidarity with those who are suffering.
We want to stand with all who are suffering, whatever ‘side’ they are on. But as far as the land of the Holy One is concerned, we stand with the people of Gaza and the Occupied Territories of the West Bank, and campaign for a just peace that gives Palestinians equality and dignity that is rightfully theirs.
This Is Something I Regret
So I have been thinking deeply about the forthcoming General Election. I live in a constituency (Gloucester) that has had a Conservative MP for some years- you have to go back to the early 2000’s to see a different colour.
But it is one of the seats that Labour might hope to win this time round (2024).
My question is … if I want to see a more progressive government, who will put the needs of the poorest first, and prioritise our The Climate Catastrophe, The NHS, Schools, Social Care and the Justice System (among others!) … how shall I vote ?
Possible answers … v
1. Vote with my heart and vote Green. Normally that might be seen as a wasted vote in our ‘First Past The Post’ system. But this time the Labour Party are likely to make the new government, so it might not matter what happens to Gloucester … so why not vote Green as the Tories are almost certainly out.
2. Vote Labour on the basis that you never know what will happen in an election, so play it safe.
3. Spoil the ballot paper – the whole system is rigged. So this is one way I can register a protest.
4..Don’t vote – for similar reasons, my Green vote won’t count anyway so why bother
We have a postal vote, and the papers arrived last week. At that point in time, I had decided on option 2, so I filled in the ballot paper and popped it in the post on Friday.
I was too hasty, on reflection. I think I should have gone with my heart. Much as I want to see the Conservative Party out of power, I actually don’t think it will be that different with Labour.
I’ve been reading a book by Ian Dunt – ‘How Westminster Works, And Why It Doesn’t.’ If even a fraction of it is a true reflection of our system of government, then we’re stuffed unless something radical happens.
By that I mean the first step being a reform of the electoral system to some version of PR.
Interestingly, this subject took up a fair bit of time on Radio 4 ‘Any Questions’ and ‘Any Answers’ programme. (But bearing in mind that only about 1 in 7 of people over 15 years of age listen to at least 15 minutes of Radio 4 in a week – (quite a low bar).
Added to that, as a supporter of Palestinian statehood, and incensed by the media coverage of the conflict in Gaza, I am discovering how deep a connection there is between the Labour Party and Israeli interests. That’s seriously worrying. See here
I wish I could take my vote back. No political party is perfect of course, but I believe that the Greens have it more right than the others.
Let me know what you think …
Trying To Write A Song
So … I’m trying to write something – a song.
I had a few instrumental ideas on the guitar that I took to the monthly song writing circle I attend. It was three tunes really, that could have worked together, with a slow section, followed by a fast section, then back to a different slow bit.
They liked it, and suggested a pastoral feel for the lyrics – think summer, sitting by a river, meadows and wild flowers.
It’s still around, unfinished. I tried some lyrics on it earlier this week.
I’d had an idea that was sparked off by listening to Ched Myers talk about the way that where he live – in Northern California, the river is dry because of water being taken off further upstream for communities or industry.
The same happens in the Palestinian Territories in the Jordan Valley, with the culprit being Israel’s industry.
It’s an idea with a more general meaning … that where there is disadvantage, or poverty, it’s probably because someone else has got to all the resources, leaving little for others.
Disadvantage = downstream.
So, the idea was to pick up on the suggestions made by my friends at the songwriting circle, but give it a twist. So use the image of the river, but think about stuff that’s done upstream that makes life hard for the people who live ‘downstream’
Moonlight on the water
Blue lights in the town (On the road / street ?)
Sun’s coming up in an hour or so (or two ?)
…???
It’s about something dark that’s happened that has called about the blue lights of the emergency services.
Anyway … today, I’ve moved on. Forget about trying fit lyrics to the tune that I have for now. Just keep thinking about the upstream / downstream idea, and get some lyrics.
The other thing to add into the mix is something I heard on an interview with the Musician/Producer T Bone Burnett. He made the observation that the word that occurs most in popular music is ‘you.’
’She loves you,’ ‘I wanna hold your hand,’ etc.
The singer is addressing the listener, drawing them in to the song.
Peter Case does this with his song ‘Have you ever been in trouble,’ and adds to it by making it a question.
So, that’s another thing I’d like to get into this song – address the listener, and maybe with a question.
Hopefully I’ll be back later … bye for now.
Something Greater Than Jonah Needed
Today the British Parliament will be debating whether to support a ceasefire in Gaza. The various political parties have differing stances with their subtext and starting point being on balance either –
Outrage at the 7th October Hamas attacks and support for Israel’s right to defend itself, or
devastation at the loss of life in Gaza, and an outright call for a ceasefire.
It’s a mess, and not one that will yield a solution, barring a miracle, in the near future.
It feels like it’s one of those proxy battles – in this case being fought between the more extreme powers in USA/Europe and the more militant of the Arab nations.
The state of Israel, founded in 1948, has its birth and much of its energy coming out of the persecution of the Jewish people over centuries, and has its roots in a modern European way of operating.
The Palestinian people are still essentially a Middle Eastern culture, and identify with nations around with a similar history.
For the USA or European government to call unequivocally for a ceasefire would be seen to side more with the Palestinian people in Gaza and the Occupied Territories, and somehow betray western values, and the state of Israel that has its beginnings in Europe.
And in the end it’s all about money and power and who is going to have your back at the end of the day.
Both sides in this conflict are ‘hurt people.’ And you know the saying – ‘hurt people hurt people.’
I read this verse this morning. Luke’s Gospel Chapter 11 verse 32.
“The people of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here.”
The Old Testament story of Jonah is about his calling as a prophet. He was sent by God to preach to the people of Nineveh to change from their sinful ways. They did repent, and Jonah was surprised and angry. He never imagined that they would repent, and thought they had got off too lightly.
But they did listen and they did change. So they have the right to challenge others who need to change. They saw that they were living on a destructive path and turned around.
Where are today’s Ninevites ? Where are the ones who have seen their failings and made a decision to be different ? We need them to witness to their unholy past, and challenge this generation and condemn it.
And by this generation, I do not simply mean Hamas and The State of Israel, although at this time maybe they are first in line. I mean all those who measure life in their ability to control dollars and bombs, and oil and water, and propaganda and terror.
What we are seeing in Israel Palestine is a playing out of history, and we need someone or something that is greater even than Jonah.
The Blackbird, Squirrel And Me
Having been inactive for a while due to a long lasting heavy cold, and Christmas celebrations, I went out for a run today.
I was thinking about the practice of ‘Terra Divina’, and looking around me as I ran. The first thing I noticed was the litter, but I didn’t feel like a meditation on waste; then I looked up at the sky – grey and cold; nothing there that inspired me.
I ran on. As I rounded a corner I saw a blackbird, pecking for food on the ground. I stopped and watched for a while, and as I watched, a squirrel scampered up a tree nearby and then leapt from one branch to another, stopped, and looked at me. (Or, at least, it seemed like it was looking at me). After a moment, it carried on climbing and out of sight.
I paused and thought – both the blackbird and the squirrel are simply being themselves. That’s what they do. They can do no other than be a blackbird, or a squirrel.
For us, it’s a lot more complicated. We often try to be something else, or are forced by our circumstances to be something other than who we really are.
I had started the day reading a few verses from Mark’s Gospel, where Jesus crosses over into Gentile territory and meets a man possessed by demons. Jesus casts out the demons, and the man is described as once more being ‘in his right mind.’ (Mark chapter 5)
It feels to me like this is what we all want, and are hopefully moving towards – to be free of all that tries to drag us away from who we are, and become ourselves, wholly, completely.
It can then be a personal thing, but in the context of the passage from Mark’s Gospel it can be about something wider. In the account of the Demon possessed man, we learn that he is called ‘Legion’, and that the territory where he lives is not only Gentile land, but is the furthest extent eastwards of the Roman Empire.
There’s something much deeper going on than a healing miracle. Jesus has already been in conflict with the religious authorities – who were very powerful in the community; he now enters the region where Rome rules, and in the healing of the demon possessed man he announces that the kingdom of God is stronger than, and of a very different nature to the Roman Empire.
The man is a stand in for Israel; the ‘Legion’ of demons represents the might of Rome. The command that Jesus speaks to cast out the demons is the word that a Roman officer would use to command a soldier. The signs are all there. Jesus’ mission is not only to help people be ‘in their right minds’, it’s also to restore to Israel a way of living that is truly, genuinely who they are called to be.
As I reflect on this whole question of the things that prevent us from flourishing and being truly ourselves, I’m thinking about the situation in Gaza and how the imprisoned population of that strip of land have been unable to live freely for years. Blockaded with little access to the outside world.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that it feels like Gaza and the West Bank are like first century Palestine; like the demon possessed man. While Israel is a stand in for first century Rome – the occupying force, the presence that needs exorcising in order for the Palestinian people to be once more ‘in their right mind.’
May we all recognise the things that prevent us from being who we are, and experience more freedom, day by day.
–
Caught up in this battle
On the weekend of October 7/8, we saw the beginning of a terrifying situation unfolding in Israel/Palestine.
Caught up in this battle between Hamas extremists and the state of Israel are ordinary Palestinian people.
Since 1948 their freedoms have been eroded. They live with many restrictions on their daily lives, and the state of Israel has gradually taken over their land and demolished their houses.
Somehow, the inequality of the situation must be recognised.
The reality of the injustice must not be overlooked or confused with what is now going on with the war.
Meanwhile, context is everything.
It’s understandable to focus in the immediate aftermath on the families who have lost love ones, and to condemn attacks on civilians of both sides.
But at some point news reporting must give the context of what has been happening in Palestine since 1917 and the favouritism shown to The state of Israel.
Born A Jew In Palestine
I thought I would have have go at writing a carol …
Here it is (I have another in the pipeline possibly)
Born a Jew in Palestine
Wise men see the stars align
Now it’s time for God to show his hand
In this chosen pain-filled land
Born when Herod was the king
He saw plots in everything
Thought to use the strong arm of his power
Didn’t know this was the hour
Jesus was a refugee
Threats of death forced them to flee
Lived under the force of Roman rule
While marching to a different tune
Born a Palestinian Jew
He comes to make all things new
Speaks the truth to all the powers that be
Here to set his people free
A babe was born in Palestine
Bethlehem in ‘89
Works for all this violence to cease
Reaches out the hand of peace
Born again in Palestine
Waiting for another sign
Now for God once more to show his hand
For this chosen, pain-filled land
Sep 7 2023
© jonathan Evans
Feel free to use the words if you credit me as author. I have set it to the tune of ‘Of the Father’s love begotten’ which works pretty well.
God Bless You With Discomfort
This Franciscan prayer was prayed at the end of a conference I attended recently at the Centre For The Study Of The Bible And Violence. See more here https://www.csbvbristol.org.uk/annual-conference-2023/
MAY GOD BLESS YOU with discomfort,
at easy answers, half-truths,
and superficial relationships
so that you may live
deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
at injustice, oppression,
and exploitation of people,
so that you may work for
justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears,
to shed for those who suffer pain,
rejection, hunger, and war,
so that you may reach out your hand
to comfort them and
to turn their pain to joy.
And may God bless you
with enough foolishness
to believe that you can
make a difference in the world,
so that you can do
what others claim cannot be done,
to bring justice and kindness
to all our children and the poor.
Amen
Following the Palestinian Kitchen
Greenbelt … For the last 20 years, we’ve been making an annual pilgrimage to the Greenbelt Festival of Arts, Faith and Activism each August Bank Holiday. Sadly, it’s not happening this year, but there is an online mix of what Greenbelt has to offer in this year’s ‘Wild At Home.’
Craftivism … I love it when someone brings activism together with their other passions – as in Craftivism, described by Sarah Corbett, its founder as ‘Gentle protest to provoke reflection and respectful conversation instead of aggression and division’
https://craftivist-collective.com/
Cooking … Another example of this is Phoebe Rison’s Palestinian Kitchen – Personal, Political, Palestinian & Delicious. I watched her cooking this week on one of the latest Greenbelt ‘Wild At Home’ online events. ‘m currently trying to cook a few Palestinian dishes, so this video was perfect for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDHTwOSjE1c
Personal … What is even more exciting than the cooking, is the commentary from Phoebe and her mum Nadia. They talk clearly and powerfully telling their own personal stories. Sadly, a large part of that story is one of great hurt to the Palestinian people. You’ll have to look elsewhere to find out more, I’m not an authority on this subject, but what I do know is that the impact of Israeli land grabbing has caused much injustice.
Water … One of the issues that I wasn’t aware of until this week was the vital importance of water supply. In the UK, we take our water for granted, but I’m guessing that for a majority of the world’s population that is not the case. A major issue in the Jordan valley is access to water. What Palestinian farmers have to contend with is not only the increasing occupation by Israel, but Israel’s control of water. On the Youtube video above, Amost Trust director Chris Rose talks more about this – 34:40 into the video.
BDS … So to action. BDS stands for Boycotting, Divestment and Sanctions. Boycotting means not buying goods and services from any company that profits from the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Divestment is all about not investing in thse companies – so for someone like me that means writing to e.g. Government, Churches etc to lobby them to stop investing. Sanctions again means lobbying our government to put economic pressure on Israel.
Please … Have a think about all of this. Look at the Amost Trust website for example to see how a relatively small charity is making an impact for good on the day to lives of ordinary people.
Grace and peace.
Five Short Words 