Blessed are the Peacemakers
How do we recognize the things that make for peace?
As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, 'If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. - Luke 19:41-42
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus weeps. He comes to the city that continues to struggle to this day, and he questions its ability to recognize what he longs for, peace.
Back in December I mentioned that I had met a man with a passion for peace, a man who lived in this city, struggled with the clash of faiths in its vastly diverse population, and is doing something about it. The Reverend Canon Nicholas Porter offers a simple prayer for peace in this video, and through his organization Jerusalem Peacebuilders, he will change the future.
When Jesus entered the city, he went to the Temple courtyard and drove out the merchants. He wanted a clean slate, a foundation on which to build God's kingdom on earth.
Next month, I will be heading up to Brattleboro Vermont, along with a few members of my church's Elijah Project. We will spend three Sabbath days with the kids in Nicholas' leadership camp, Muslims, Jews and Christians celebrating together, respecting each other's special day of rest.
We will be helping them capture their stories and produce a video to spread the message that we can overcome division and tear down the walls of fear, to clear out the misconceptions and prejudices and be one Children of God.
We will fund the trip ourselves as our outreach mission project, but we could use some help. We would like to equip the students with cameras so they can continue to capture and share their stories. So, we are beginning our own small crowd funding campaign.
Each person who sponsors a child by donating $200 for a camera, or any amount toward the purchase of a camera, will be give credit in the movie we produce. Donations will be made to the outreach program of Saint James Fordham Episcopal Church in the Bronx and we will purchase the cameras for our trip in July.
Over a year ago, a group of us got together and started gathering with members of our communities to talk about the conflict in the Middle East. Everyone wanted to know what they could do to change the deeply rooted mistrust and hatred. We all agreed that our hope was in the youth.
Jerusalem Peacebuilders, working with Kids4Peace, is doing something about that, providing that platform for discussion, cooperation, working together, building peace.
I am so looking forward to this trip. It is how I can use my talents in a real and meaningful way, teaching these kids to tell their story.
You don't have to join us to help us. Pray for peace. And stay tuned. Something amazing is about to happen.
More to come...
(Click on the link to the Elijah Project to learn more.)