Here in Israel, with all the social, economic, political and religious issues I have experienced the reality of God’s love.

 

Each day we have participated in reading a Psalm.  One day we read Psalm 69:16,  It is a verse where the psalmist asks for God’s love or compassion.  What might this look like?  Maybe like the story of the 10 lepers in Luke 17.  We read this story and reflected on it when we went to the Church of the 10 Lepers in the Jenin region of the West Bank. 

 

These 10 lepers are outcasts.  The live together in sickness and impurity.  The story says that they “called to Jesus from a distance.”  They said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”  I can relate to that.

 

The church has a small alcove on one side of the sanctuary.  It is here that the 10 lepers lived almost 2000 years ago.  This alcove was once a place of shame, abandonment and rejection.  Now it is a beautiful and sacred place; a testimony to the radical love of Jesus.  Christ changed those who cried out to him; his presence and love healed them.

 

Even in the midst of (or especially because of) this contested part of the world, where there is plenty of shame, ghetto like existence and “unclear” locations, I am moved by the depth of Jesus’ love.  It says when they wen from him “they were healed.”

 

James Wheeler

The Franciscan Order of the Catholic Church is prevalent throughout the Holy Land.  Along with the Flag (white background with a centre cross in red surrounded on the four corers by smaller red crosses) you will often see the insignia shown below. 

 St. Francis of Assisi was a wealthy man who gave it away to follow and serve Christ.  The two arms represent the arm of Francis (clothed) joined with the arm of Christ (bare).   In this day of great material wealth we may do well to consider the ways and heart of St. Francis…

 

 

Gavin Jensen  has made the only Inukshuk in the Judean Wilderness.

 

 

Kyra Anderson contemplates another piece of history that involves rocks.

 

Saddle up…