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Salaam and grace in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and blessed greetings to you from Jerusalem, the birthplace of our faith, the city of the Risen Lord.

I want to thank ‘Bible Lands’ for sharing our news with so many friends worldwide. The fact that the magazine carries the name ‘Bible Lands’ draws attention to what is happening in the Land of the Bible - a land scarred by conflict, by humiliation and death.

I stand firm in my convictions that we are not in a post- Christian era, as some in the West are tempted to believe. We are still first century Christians. The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus is not only the event of yesterday. It is the event of today, day in and day out, until his coming again in glory.

Separation wall or bridge?

On coming back from a recent trip to the United States and England, I found that the situation has really worsened. There is death all over, death of many and death of hope. Peace continues to be slaughtered by the ‘separation wall’, at checkpoints, at houses of prayer and homes. Many of the leaders of the world seem hopeless, helpless and impotent to stop this madness. No wonder Jesus continues to weep, and we with him, over Jerusalem.

Right after my return on March 31st, a meeting was held at St George’s Cathedral Close, at the invitation of the Israeli armed forces. They came to confirm that part of our Church property in Bethany will be taken to erect a segment of their ‘separation wall’. They said rent will be paid. We meant to use this piece of property for an institute for the disabled. I informed them that the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem would be happy to hand over the entire property, if we were to use it for a bridge. Is this not the era for building bridges? When are we going to join hands, to break down all barriers and pave the way wide open for peaceful and harmonious co-living?

How to stay sane

In a recent letter received from a colleague, he writes that he finds it difficult to imagine how my people and I can live with such a situation. He asked ‘how do you manage to stay sane?’

In my reply, I reminded him that we are the community of the resurrection, of the risen Lord who overcame death by dying and blessed us with life. Did he not say, “I came that you may have life and have it abundantly?” I went on to say what I have always believed, that death will not have the last word - life will - life with dignity, life with freedom, life with harmony, life with integrity, life with peace, just and truthful. Such a life will not only have the last word, it will be a life that is worth living.

On we go. He walks with us. He walks with you. He will accompany us, until we arrive at our Emmaus and will open our eyes to see him risen at the breaking of bread. We travel the land, we cross checkpoints, and border stations, we climb up walls, we weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice, sharing hope and bringing life to those who are dying to live.

A second Pentecost

Painful as the situation is, we want to say that we continue to believe, and as I have said on a number of occasions, there is sunshine after rain. The early Christians, who were frightened and behind closed doors, have now moved away from their state of fear and managed to change the course of human history. That was Pentecost I.

May God in His mercy bless us with Pentecost II when people will know the truth and will be set free: free to speak the truth, free to love and be loved, and be empowered to help reconcile those in conflict, heal the broken hearted, release the prisoners and set those in captivity free. It is time to overcome the Babel in which we find ourselves and learn the art of peacemaking.

Finally, we appreciate your keeping all of us in your prayers, so continue to pray for the leaders of the world that they may do justice and endeavor to protect God’s most beautiful image in every human being. I want you to also remember before God all those who lost dear ones over the many years since 1948, among them the families of Deir Yassin. And let us all pray that the day will come soon when the children of Abraham will be strong enough to forgive and forget, and bring about a different and brighter future for coming generations.

May God pour His blessings upon you, and keep you a blessing, a hope, and a light to lighten the world. Amen and again Amen.

Riah

Blessing the oils on Maundy Thursday

Release of Mordachai Vanunu

As chief pastor of the Anglican community in the Holy Land, I greeted Mr Mordachai Vanunu this morning, 21st April, at 11:00 am, as he was released from Ashkelon prison.

He is an Anglican Christian and expressed his desire to offer thanks to God for his release from prison as his first act as a free man. At his request, I celebrated the Holy Eucharist in the Cathedral Church of St. George, Jerusalem, midday, in the presence of fellow Christians, including bishops and clergy from England, the USA and Australia as well as local Christians.

The Eucharist was offered in thanksgiving for the resurrection of Jesus Christ and in prayers for Mr. Vanunu, his family and friends in the hopes that he can live a normal life from now on.

Riah

Mordachai Vanunu at St George's, Jerusalem

Information on the Diocese of Jerusalem