What Jesus Might Tell the Pope Regarding Gaza
Pope Benedict announced that he would visit the Holy Land this May to pray "for the precious gift of unity and peace for the Middle East and for all of humanity," but he would not be going to Gaza.
Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Vatican custodian of the holy sites stated, "This visit is aimed first and foremost at encouraging them to remain in this country."
Prayer without action is hypocrisy and faith without works is dead.
In November 2006, Father Manuel Mussalem, Pastor of Gaza's only Catholic Church of 200 faithful- who look to the Pope to speak for Jesus to them- penned on their behalf:
"Gaza cannot sleep! The people are suffering unbelievably. They are hungry, thirsty, have no electricity or clean water. They are suffering constant bombardments and sonic booms from low flying aircraft. They need food: bread and water. Children and babies are hungry...people have no money to buy food. The price of food has doubled and tripled due to the situation. We cannot drink water from the ground here as it is salty and not hygienic. People must buy water to drink. They have no income, no opportunities to get food and water from outside and no opportunities to secure money inside of Gaza. They have no hope.
"Without electricity children are afraid. No light at night. No oil or candles...Thirsty children are crying, afraid and desperate...Many children have been violently thrown from their beds at night from the sonic booms. Many arms and legs have been broken. These planes fly low over Gaza and then reach the speed of sound. This shakes the ground and creates shock waves like an earthquake that causes people to be thrown from their bed. I, myself weigh 120 kilos and was almost thrown from my bed due to the shock wave produced by a low flying jet that made a sonic boom.
"Gaza cannot sleep...the cries of hungry children, the sullen faces of broken men and women who are just sitting in their hungry emptiness with no light, no hope, and no love. These actions are War Crimes!"
Out of the 1.5 million humans in Gaza no more than 2,500 are members of Christian denominations. Their exodus is directly attributed to the ongoing occupation which has reduced the Christian population of the Holy Land from 20% of the total to less than 1.3% since 1947.
Rania Mikhail, 32, a student of English at the Holy Family School said, "We are happy that he is coming to Palestine, but what can he do for us? We want him to do something for Gaza, not only for the Christians, but also for the Muslims who are living in this prison. We would have liked him to come to Gaza since no one pays attention to what happens to us." [1]
Bassam Shahtoot, a member of the Nazareth Roman Catholic parish council, said: "We want the pope to come, but the timing is problematic because of the Gaza war where many Palestinians were killed. Some people are using this visit politically to polish Israel's image." [Ibid]
Jesus laid down the law to Christians in the Sermon on the Mount with the biblical injunctions to go visit the prisoners, comfort the weary, care for the ill and shelter the widow and orphan for what ever one does or does not do unto any other; they do it or not unto the Lord.
Hebrew Prophet's such as Amos sounded calls for justice and shone lights upon hypocrisy in high places where abuses of power manipulated, controlled and destroyed those without defense.
The prophets attempted to awaken the people to God's deep passion for justice in society and Amos aimed his accusations at the elite of Israel-most especially the teachers of the law:
"I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" - Amos 5:21-24
When Jesus threw the money changers out of the Temple, he was overthrowing the established order of buying one's way to God's heart.
Two thousand years ago the Cross had NO symbolic religious meaning and was not a piece of jewelry. When Jesus said: "Pick up your cross and follow me," everyone back then understood he was issuing a POLITICAL statement, for the main roads in Jerusalem were lined with crucified agitators, rebels, dissidents and any others who disturbed the status quo of the Roman Occupying Forces.
The term Christianity was not coined until three decades after Christ walked the earth. Until the day of Paul, followers of Christ were called members of The Way; the way being what he taught!
Christ was never a Christian, but he was a social justice, radical revolutionary Palestinian devout Jewish road warrior who rose up [intifada in Arabic] for he challenged the job security of the Temple authorities by teaching the people they did NOT need to pay the priests for ritual baths or sacrificing livestock to be OK with God; for God already LOVED them just as they were: sinners, poor, diseased, outcasts, widows, orphans, refugees and prisoners all living under Roman Military Occupation.
What got Jesus crucified was disturbing the status quo of the Roman Occupying Forces of his time, by teaching the subversive concept that Caesar only had power because God allowed it and that God preferred the humble sinner, the poor, diseased, outcasts, widows, orphans, refugees and prisoners all living under Roman Occupation above the elite and arrogant!
Clement, Tertillian, Polycarp and every other early Church Father taught that violence was a contradiction of what Christ was all about. There have always been those Christians who spoke out against this corruption of scripture and they have been ignored, reviled, rejected, mocked, persecuted and maligned throughout time. There have always been Christians who have never abandoned the true teachings, such as the Quakers, Mennonites, some Catholics and Protestants who have been faithful witnesses to Christ by denouncing violence and caring for the poor.
There have also been Jews, Muslims, atheists, anarchists, secularists, rebels and revolutionaries who have lived lives that embody Christ; who have in fact done what Jesus actually taught-to be nonviolent, forgiving and love all of one's neighbors/every being-a most revolutionary concept indeed-and one too few who claim to be Christian ever achieve.
Every individual Christian is but one cell in the cosmic Body of Christ. "So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." -Romans 12:4
"Its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part [of The Body] suffers, every part suffers with it."-1 Corinthians 12:25-26
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and all the prophets said, "You will recognize the believers in their having Mercy for one another, and in their Love for one another, and in their Kindness towards one another; like the body, when one member of it hurts, the entire body hurts."
Might the Pope have a heart that pulls him to go to Gaza with ears to hear and eyes to see Jesus in all the people suffering there-be they Christian, Muslim or Jew-for the Bible tells us Jesus loves them all- and we Christians are to too!
Learn more and sign the petition to the Pope to go to Gaza:
http://www.al-bushra.org/images/popetogaza.htm
Please view and listen to
Garth Hewitt - From The Broken Heart Of Gaza (Father Musallam's Letter)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5YCic77JHQ&feature=email
1. http://www.metimes.com/Politics/2009/04/14/papal_visit_bittersweet_for_g...
Eileen Fleming, is the Founder of WAWA: http://www.wearewideawake.org/
Author "Keep Hope Alive" and "Memoirs of a Nice Irish American 'Girl's' Life in Occupied Territory"
She produced "30 Minutes With Vanunu" and "13 Minutes with Vanunu" because corporate media has been MIA all during a Freedom of Speech Trial in Israel.
(2 votes)
- www.wearewideawake.org's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Comments
The need of a comprehensive mid-east peace plan
Rather than engage in one sided, emotional views here, this progressive Christian community would better serve the world if we set forth a comprehensive mid-east peace plan. I know, I know - it's been tried by many dating back to the presidency of Harry S. Truman, but what I think has been missing is a comprehensive reality check. Let's begin a new thread here.
Reality one. The land we call here, from the western view, the middle east, has been occupied by various peoples over many millenia. For anyone, Israeli, Palestinian or other, to claim "God gave this land to us!" is unsupportable. Yes, God may have given --- but He also took away. Why?, because the people strayed from the faith given them and God "punished" them with forfeiture of the given lands.
Reality two. The present occupiers, Isreali and Palestinian, along with we Christians, are all sons and daughters of one father, Abraham. Of his sons it is said they would make great nations; by Issac, Isreal and by Ishmael, Palestine. Therefore both Jew and Muslim have legitimate claims to the land.
Reality three. Israel has a legitmate claim to exist, thus the deplaced Palestinians must forfeit any claims to restoration of lost land.
Reality four. Israel must accept boundaries as worked out in 1948. To claim further land by illegal appropriation must stop and all communities established illegally removed. Remember, God gave and God took away.
Reality five. There is no military solution. Neither people can ever hope to impose their will on the other. An eye for an eye, simply loses more eyes, leading to blind solutions.
Reality six. One sided partioning of the land is not realitistic, all it does is create more hardship, leading to more resentment, "jusifiying" more violence. The walls must come down. Of course this requires acknowlegememt of Israelis right to exist.
Reality seven. Christians also have legitimate claims to the use of these lands. Jesus walked these lands, is recognized by Muslims as a prophet. We have many sites holy to our religious traditions, and should have free, unfettered and safe access to these holy sites.
Reality eight. Recognizing the legitimacy of the claims of all of the descedents of Arbrahm, we are forced by history and law then to work out a land sharing deal, the long sought two nation solution. This would involve a reasonable partition between Jews and Muslims, over seen by an international commission. As all 3 religions have legitimate claims to Jerusalem, it should be an international city, governed by international law, courts and law enforcement agencies, and not partitoned into Jewish or Palestinian sections.
While many have proposed solutions few have based their plans on sound religious grounds. Here is where this community can make a unique contribution; a call for establshment of an international commission, an "Abraham Commission"?, to work out solutions of equal benefit to all of the descendents of Abraham.
Uh, No Eileen
You state, "Christ was never a Christian, but he was a social justice, radical revolutionary Palestinian devout Jewish road warrior who rose up [intifada in Arabic]..."
Sorry Eileen; as a Christian I simply cannot equate Christ with someone who would strap a bomb onto himself a blow himself up in a crowd of innocent people.
uh duh NYGaribaldi
I am talking history and you are stuck in stereotypes.
The term 'Christian' was not even coined until the days of Paul, about 3 decades after Jesus/The Prince of Peace-who promised it is the peacemakers who are the children of God-walked the earth a man.
ONLY a person with out hope would even consider suicide.
2,000 years ago The Cross had NO symbolic religious meaning. When JC said: "Pick up your cross and follow me" everyone THEN understood he was issuing a POLITICAL statement, for the main roads in Jerusalem were lined with crucified agitators, rebels, dissidents and any who disturbed the status quo of the Roman Empire and Military Occupying Forces.
Jesus was a Palestinian Jew who was born, lived and died under military occupation and he chose the way of compassion for all and nonviolence as the only Godly response to the evil that is violence.
Eileen, You're Talking Revisionist History
Eileen, throughout your series of frilly-worded posts you constantly ignore key historical facts:
*It was the Arabs, not the Jews who are primarily responsible for all this mess. The Jews were more than willing to accept the original UN partition; the Arabs were not. Instead of accepting the original two-state solution, the Arabs -- including Christians -- tried to drive the Jews into the sea.
*You say that Jesus "...chose the way of compassion for all and nonviolence as the only Godly response to the evil that is violence." Well. Eileen, I've heard of a number of Israeli Jews who have taken that course of action but I've yet to hear of any Palestinians embrace the same way. It is very revisionist to paint the Palestinians as pure victims while painting the Jews as the evil-doers. Tell me, where is that Palestinian Jesus or Gandhi? I don't see him on the horizon.
*Clearly, the Israelis have not treated many Palestinians in a just manner. But with that said, neither have many Muslim Palestinians. How come you never go after those folks with equal zeal?
*Finally, when will you ever address the issue of Hamas not giving up their desire to drive the Jews from Israel or does that not fit neatly into your airtight, black and white agenda? Anyone who looks at this issue more soberly will quickly see that there is an awful lot of grey area.
So while yo may claim to be talking history, it is nothing more than revisionist history, devoid of critical facts.
History Sometimes Needs Revision
Frank,
Much of the history that Eileen draws upon is verified by numerous witnesses whose voices have been mostly minimized. Please consider reading the book "Blood Brothers" by Elias Chacour. He is a native born Palestinian (1939) and is the Archbishop of Galilee of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. He is also a noted author and peace activist keen to promote reconciliation between Arabs and Israelis.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_Chacour
Here is a brief excerpt from the book:
Struggling groups that had been driven from other villages carried more distressing news as we settled uncomfortably in Gish. The soldiers were moving systematically through the hill country, routing the quiet, unprotected villagers. Many were fleeing in foot for Lebanon or Syria. And there was talk of violence in the south. A certain, unnamable eeriness clung to the air with each fragment of information that came.
We wondered, as we tried to piece our lives together, when the soldiers would return and what they would do if they found us in our neighbors' village. And though Mother and Father repeatedly assured us that we were safe, one thought remained fearfully unspoken: What had happened to the men, women and children of Gish?
I would be the first to learn the answer. A week or more after our arrival, Charles and I were shuffling glumly through the streets together when we found a soccer ball. ...
I reached the ball where it had thumped and settled in a stretch of loose sand. Oddly, the ground seemed to have been churned up. I stooped and picked up the ball, noticing a peculiar odor. An odd shape caught my eye--something like a thick twig poking up through the sand. And the strange color. . .
I bent down and pulled on the thing. It came up stiffly, the sand falling back from a swollen finger, a blue-black hand and arm. The odor gripped my throat....
Later, the shallow graves were uncovered. Buried beneath a thin layer of sand were two dozen bodies. The gunfire that the old man had heard had done its bitter work.
Here is an excerpt from the back cover of Blood Brothers:
Is it possible to live at peace in the midst of conflict? "From my perspective, both as a believer and as a diplomat, I take hope and comfort in knowing that amid all the hatred, destruction, and death, Father Chacour continues his patient work, softening one heart at a time." James A. Baker III, U.S. Secretary of State, 1989-1992 "An accurate, moving account worthy of careful attention."
Eileen's minority voice of advocacy for the rights of the Palestinians is essential for the sake of justice in the land called Israel.
Gary
Not Eileen's Revisionist Style
Which is one of convenient omissions and biased framing. Now, that is not to say that the Palestinians don't have legitimate grievances because they do. But so do some Israeli Jews -- like the ones that get blown up by suicide bombers. Eileen never discusses that angle. And because of that, her credibility and objectivity is greatly diminished. Take that another step, that makes her an ineffective advocate for the Palestinian cause.
For example, when did you last remember her criticizing Hamas? I can't remember a single instance.
I personally believe that in the end, her agenda more to do with the marketing of Eileen than with the well-being of the Palestinian people.
History Sometimes Needs Revision
Frank,
Much of the history that Eileen draws upon is verified by numerous witnesses whose voices have been mostly minimized. Please consider reading the book "Blood Brothers" by Elias Chacour. He is a native born Palestinian (1939) and is the Archbishop of Galilee of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. He is also a noted author and peace activist keen to promote reconciliation between Arabs and Israelis.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_Chacour
Here is a brief excerpt from the book:
Struggling groups that had been driven from other villages carried more distressing news as we settled uncomfortably in Gish. The soldiers were moving systematically through the hill country, routing the quiet, unprotected villagers. Many were fleeing in foot for Lebanon or Syria. And there was talk of violence in the south. A certain, unnamable eeriness clung to the air with each fragment of information that came.
We wondered, as we tried to piece our lives together, when the soldiers would return and what they would do if they found us in our neighbors' village. And though Mother and Father repeatedly assured us that we were safe, one thought remained fearfully unspoken: What had happened to the men, women and children of Gish?
I would be the first to learn the answer. A week or more after our arrival, Charles and I were shuffling glumly through the streets together when we found a soccer ball. ...
I reached the ball where it had thumped and settled in a stretch of loose sand. Oddly, the ground seemed to have been churned up. I stooped and picked up the ball, noticing a peculiar odor. An odd shape caught my eye--something like a thick twig poking up through the sand. And the strange color. . .
I bent down and pulled on the thing. It came up stiffly, the sand falling back from a swollen finger, a blue-black hand and arm. The odor gripped my throat....
Later, the shallow graves were uncovered. Buried beneath a thin layer of sand were two dozen bodies. The gunfire that the old man had heard had done its bitter work.
Here is an excerpt from the back cover of Blood Brothers:
Is it possible to live at peace in the midst of conflict? "From my perspective, both as a believer and as a diplomat, I take hope and comfort in knowing that amid all the hatred, destruction, and death, Father Chacour continues his patient work, softening one heart at a time." James A. Baker III, U.S. Secretary of State, 1989-1992 "An accurate, moving account worthy of careful attention."
Eileen's minority voice of advocacy for the rights of the Palestinians is essential for the sake of justice in the land called Israel.
Gary
I agree
Eileen, I agree with most of what you have been saying theologically, though not necessarily politically. Yes, Christianity has been militarized, but that goes back to Constantine. Having gained "military and political protection" Christianity then spread more quickly throughout the western "civilized" world. Isn't it a bit ironic that it took a militant Roman Emperor to give the Prince of Peace acceptibility? Of course, it seems that Constantine's "conversion" was prompted more to forward his political objectives than to serve his spiritual needs.
"Pick up my cross" was indeed a political statement, and his death on the cross was indeed the Godly response to the evil of violence. That is what made Gandhi so powerful, and by example, IMO, a better Christian than many who profess to be a follower of the Prince of Peace.
Rich
Good Post Eileen. I think the Pope is sympathetic
Good post Eileen. You and Matt both have similar ideas on pacifism.
If Benedict is like John Paul on this issue, I think the present Pope is sympathetic to the plight of Palestinians. But I think because of the effort of recent popes to undo the damage of a history of church antisemitism, Benedict will probably be walking a tightrope in the Israeli/Palestinian issue.
He'll probably want to say something about the Palestinians. But because the efforts of reconcilitation between Catholics and Jews are still fragile, and with Benedict's propensity to put his foot in his mouth, I think Benedict is going to be careful not to say anything that'll offend Israel. And I think the fact that Benedict is German means he has to be extra careful.
Angelo
good thoughts Angelo
Here are some more from Friends of Sabeel--North America
Voice of the Palestinian Christians
http://www.seattlepi.com/national/1107ap_ml_israel_pope_cool_welcome.html
April 29, 2009
Muslims are cool to pope's Holy Land pilgrimage
By DIAA HADID
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
NAZARETH, Israel -- A banner across the main square in Jesus' boyhood town condemns those who insult Islam's Prophet Muhammad - a message by Muslim hard-liners for Pope Benedict XVI during his pilgrimage to the Holy Land next month.
The pontiff may have to tread carefully with his visit to Nazareth. Many Muslims are still angry over a 2006 speech in which Benedict quoted a medieval text depicting the prophet as violent.
Even some Christians are nervous that Benedict could stir up trouble for them. They worry that if he says anything contentious about Islam again, Muslims might lash out.
"He must know that every word he will utter will have an impact on Christian Palestinians and religious relations," said Naim Ateek, an Anglican reverend and director of Sabeel, an ecumenical Palestinian Christian group that includes Catholics.
The banner was put up by followers of Nazem Abu Salim, a radical Muslim preacher, right next to the Church of the Annunciation, where tradition says the Angel Gabriel told Mary she would give birth to Jesus.
It is there for the pope, Abu Salim said. "He is not welcome here."
The banner - clearly visible from the church, which Benedict is to visit - trumpets a verse from the Quran declaring, "Those who harm God and His Messenger - God has cursed them in this world and in the hereafter, and has prepared for them a humiliating punishment."
Municipal official Suheil Diab wouldn't say if the banner, along with a small sign in English with the verse, would be removed before the pope arrives May 14.
Benedict plans to meet with Muslim leaders, though not Abu Salim, throughout his May 8-15 tour of the Holy Land, which includes stops in Jordan, the West Bank, Jerusalem and Nazareth, one of Israel's largest Arab cities.
Islamic leaders in Israel are divided over the visit.
One of the leading Muslim groups in Israel, the Northern Islamic Movement, is calling for a boycott of meetings unless Benedict apologizes for his 2006 remarks, said a spokesman, Zahi Nujeidat. The movement, which has not been invited to meet with the pontiff, can marshal thousands of supporters, but has not yet decided whether to stage protests.
Other Muslim clerics said they would sit down with Benedict but ask for an apology. One of those is Sheik Taysir Tamimi, a leading cleric in the Palestinian Authority, which has welcomed the pope's trip.
Muslims are a growing and increasingly assertive majority in Nazareth, which is 70 percent Muslim but has a communist mayor from the city's Christian community.
A decade ago, brawls erupted over Muslim attempts to build a mosque beside the Church of the Annunciation. The project was eventually thwarted. What remains is a stone-paved square and a small mosque, headed by Abu Salim.
Nazareth is one of the main cities for Israel's Arab minority, who make up around 20 percent of the country's 7 million people. Christians number around 120,000 of the Arab community, roughly half Catholic, half Eastern Orthodox.
Benedict's 2006 speech citing obscure medieval text that characterized some of Muhammad's teachings as "evil and inhuman" sparked protests in the West Bank and Gaza - though not in Israel. Attackers fired guns and threw firebombs at Palestinian churches.
Benedict later said the text did not reflect his views, but many Muslims believe he did not apologize properly.
In Nazareth, the pontiff is to visit the Church of the Annunciation, host an interfaith discussion and meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He'll also celebrate Mass on nearby Mount Precipice, where many Christians believe a mob pursued Jesus and tried to throw him from a cliff.
The pope will strive to improve interfaith relations throughout his tour, said Wadi Abunassar, a spokesman for the pontiff's visit.
Nazareth's local government has set aside $5 million to spruce up the crowded, shabby city overlooking the Galilee hills, hoping the papal visit will boost tourism, Mayor Ramiz Jaraisy said.
Few in Nazareth's bazaar show any excitement, however. Many remain bitter over Israel's offensive in Gaza against Hamas militants, which killed more than 1,000 Palestinians in December and January.
"People here are tired and exhausted from this situation," said Amin Ali, 72, an antique seller who described himself as a secular Muslim. "And nobody likes this pope, anyway."
Benedict should use his visit to censure Israel over Gaza and the lack of progress in reaching peace with the Palestinians, said Ateek, the Anglican reverend.
"If the pope is brave enough to do that, people will respect him more," Ateek said.
Friends of Sabeel--North America
PO Box 9186, Portland, OR 97207
fosna.org; friends@fosna.org
Good explanation on situation with Palestinian Muslims and Pope
This is a good explanation of the feelings of many Palestinian Muslims towards the Pope after his remarks two years ago. I read that speech in the magazine Vital Speeches of the Day and I don't think Benedict meant any harm to Muslims. It's just that, taken out of context, that particular segment of Benedict's speech really offended many Muslims.
In the same way, Benedict got into hot water with Jews a few months ago for bringing back into the church a bishop who denied the Holocaust. I don't think Benedict is anti-semitic or anti-Muslim... I think he's just got that foot in mouth problem that Dan Quayle used to have.
From what I've seen so far, it doesn't seem that Pope Benedict has the political finess necessary to really help the Israeli/Palestinian situation. You wrote a post a few weeks ago placing confidence in George Mitchell and I think he's probably got the diplomatic skills to really accomplish some positive things for both the Israelis and Palestinians. Mitchell may be in a better position than Benedict in helping Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
This isn't to say that I disagree with either you or Naim Ateek. I think the Pope should take some stands to protest the lack of progress in achieving a just peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. But because Benedict is German, he just doesn't have the leeway that John Paul had in influencing Israel. The emotional baggage that would come in having a German lecture Israel, the anger of both Jews and Muslims over past missteps... Benedict has to show some diplomatic skill in how he takes a stand.
Angelo