Mary Magdalene crossed the Mediterranean to France as a refugee. She brought the Jesus story to Provence. Each year Catholics reenact her arrival on the beach at Sainte Maries de la Mer. Last month Lin and I spent two weeks visiting sites where she lived and taught.
We were on pilgrimage when Hamas massacred Israelis and took hostages. The next day we climbed a mountain to where Magdalene lived. It was our daughter Zoeann’s birthday so we prayed for her and included Mary Anne, my ill sister, and our close friend Sharon Boyd who was dying. That night we learned Zoe, a visual journalist with the Washington Post, was being sent to cover the war. We focused our prayers.
This wasn’t my first experience of pilgrimage and war. As a Vietnam Veteran I marched against my war. These were pilgrimages of hope that we could save lives. Decades later I did a Buddhist pilgrimage in North Vietnam to reconcile my war experiences. I hoped Vietnam and America could become friends. It took more than prayer but our countries moved past the hatred.
This can happen in the Holy Land which is sacred to Muslims, Jews and Christians. Hamas committed mass murder and kidnapped hundreds. Israeli bombs have killed more. There is no hope when each side chooses revenge in the name of defense and justice. An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind.
Benzion Sanders, an Israeli veteran invaded Gaza in 2014. He wrote in the New York Times “All our causalities and the suffering brought on the Palestinians in Gaza accomplished nothing since our leaders refused to work on creating a political reality in which more violence would not be inevitable”.
Let’s create a pilgrimage for peace, hope and shared living in the Holy Land.
I pray that Zoe will be safe❤️
Gloria
Thanks. Zoe is home safe after three weeks in Israel.
Your comment is one of the best I’ve read about the Israeli-Hamas war and I’ve read a lot of them. It seems people are unable to recognize the faults on both sides notwithstanding the barbaric assault that started this particular episode in the long-standing war between Israel and the Palestinians. I recommend the writings of Edward W. Said (1931-2001) on how the Palestinians have suffered from Israeli oppression, which we have not heard much about in our media reports over the years.
Thank God Zoe returned safe and sound from her assignment. No doubt she had a life experience she’ll remember the rest of her life and perhaps better understand.
Rob
It is always good to hear from you and read your responses. Thanks for the encouragement,
Another good one. I know we (I) always say we’ll get together next week, next month, some time. I’ve got medical going on — enough said — but soon, really, I’ll be in touch. Best wishes to your sister, who I do remember.
Van
Thanks for your response.
I am patient about getting together since our friendship has continued for more than fifty years and we all have medical issues to deal with from time to time.
Best wishes
Ed
We were in Budapest in the beginning of October. We were learning of the atrocities of the d in three months during 1944, when they knew the war was almost over. They butchered almost 1million Jews. We saw that a majority of the churches had Jewish architects and many of the windows were designed by Jewish artists. The Nazis (and many Hungarians) didn’t care and killed all Jews they could (except for those hidden by gentiles).
When we were there we heard the news of Hamas’ butchery of innocents, rape and dismembering of of humans in front of their children or parents. And our grandson was doing a semester in Jerusalem, which made this even more frightening.
Although I understand and agree that the Palestinians got a really raw deal, when they were made into refugees by the world. But, where were their Arab brothers and sisters in neighboring countries? How could they allow refugees for 75 years and not open their hearts and homes to their brothers and sisters?
The Israeli flag was raised on the parliament buildings in the countries we visited, Budapest, Vienna and Prague. They understand how butchers like the Nazis and Hamas have to be condemned and obliterated..
Hamas must be removed once and for all. My heart goes out to the Palestinians who are right in the line of fire. Hamas has tunnels under innocent citizens and using them for cover. My heart goes out to the people, and they have been the victims of Hamas for years. But it is up to the world to condemn the disgusting brutality. And the masses of people should be welcomed by the other Arab countries, and the Arabs who had good jobs going into Israel to work should be allowed to resume their lives and livelihoods.
And our grandson was able to get a flight home, thankfully.
Rhea,”
Thanks for your thoughtful response and addition to our dialogues about Israel and the Palestinians. I pray for all especially the hostages. I am glad your grandson is home safely .
Ed