I have been invited by Friends of Sabeel North America to be part of a Delegation of Bishops and Church Leaders in the West Bank starting May 1, 2025. Women Wage Peace have invited my friend, Rev. Julie Rowe, and me to join them and about 60 groups building the People's Peace Summit in Jerusalem, May 8 and 9. See the growing hope--It's time for peace! Reflect on andplease join us signing the Mothers Call. I have been invited to Bethlehem University where young people have contributed to Artistic Bridges, the global education project I initiated. Learn about the nature center that the children attend to learn of nature in Palestine. I will be sharing about that and encouraging more participation. Rev. Rowe will be interviewing women building peace as part of her doctoral work.
My reflections begin today, Palm Sunday at our church, Mission Concepcion, a World Heritage Site, we walk holding palm and remembering the stories. Manipulative people lead a crowd to violence. uncaring leaders hurt an innocent person. Yet the story which seems to end in death, ends in forgiveness and love stronger than death.
Near the Mission I biked along the beautiful river path seeing palms and remembering that almost 300 years ago the indigenous people cut these and brought them to the church to reenact the story. All creation calls us to remember. The bright green of spring is transforming the bare branches of winter along, Yanaguana, now called the San Antonio River.
April 14, 2025 Over the years I have gotten to know Father David Neuhaus, a Jesuit in Jerusalem. A number of times we have spoken at the Friday "Women in Black" demonstrations. Israeli and Palestinian friends would let me hold one of their signs "We refuse to be enemies." Fr. David was interviewed by America Media, "Interview: Holy Land Christians raise their voices for the suffering people of Palestine." We Incarnate Word Sisters remember our founding call, "Our Lord Jesus Christ suffering seeks relief at your hands." We must listen, we must reach out where there is suffering.