Proper 25 (October 26, 2008)
Common Lectionary Texts:
Lev. 19:1-2, 15-18; Ps. 1; I Thess. 2:1-8; Matt. 22:34-46

This week we worked on job descriptions for new positions in Iraq, visited partners in northern Jordan and hosted Ann and Jim Hershberger from Linville, Virginia. What a delightful opportunity to share stories with former MCC reps from another part of the world!

An MCC partner in northern Jordan grows thyme as an income-generating project (photo by Melissa Engle)

In the region this week, the Iraqi government announced that Mosul has stabilized, after a spate of violence led to half of Mosul’s Christian community fleeing to surrounding areas. Also, U.S. and Iraqi officials have yet to reach an agreement on the terms for U.S. forces to stay in Iraq past December 2008.

The Common Lectionary readings this week describe the interplay between loving God and loving neighbor.

The Old Testament reading admonishes us not to hate or harm our neighbors, but to love them as ourselves (v.18). These instructions are not optional. Each command is followed by the phrase, “for I am the Lord your God” (Lev. 19:2,16,18).

The psalmist calls us to delight and meditate on God’s laws (Ps. 1:2) and to shun the advice of the wicked (v.1). Loving neighbor does not mean that we follow them when they make bad choices.

In the Epistle reading, Paul says that he lives “not to please mortals but to please God who tests our hearts” (I Thess. 2:4). But pleasing God is not an abstract or other-worldly past time. It means sharing our lives with others and treating them with gentleness (vv. 7-8).

In the Gospel reading, religious leaders ask Jesus “Which commandment is the greatest?” Without hesitation, Jesus responds, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:37-39). Jesus builds an unbreakable bridge between loving God and loving neighbor.

These succinct words of Jesus still ring true 2000 years later. What a different world it would be if everyone learned to love God completely, and as an expression of that reality, learn to love neighbor as self! How might this change the way the United States makes decision about its relations with Iraq or Iran? How might it change the way people of different faiths relate to one another? The way Israelis and Palestinians relate? On a more personal level, how would it affect the way we invest our time and resources?

This coming week we travel to Turkey to listen to partners as part of MCC’s “New Wine, New Wineskins” process, which is designed to reshape MCC for the 21st century. We look forward to hearing the counsel of partners from across the Europe and Middle East region. We hope that, together, we will learn how to better love neighbor as self.

Proper 24 (October 19, 2008)
Common Lectionary Texts:
Is. 45:1-7; Ps. 96:1-9; I Thess. 1:1-10; Matt. 22:15-22

This was a week for planning, reflecting and celebrating. We worked on nearly 20 “concept papers” for new or expanded projects in Palestine/Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Iran, which we hope will receive above-budget funding next year. In the end, we commit these plans to God and trust that they can be used to bless and encourage our partners and all whom they serve.

Bassem Thabet and Daryl, just before Bassem's wedding on the Mt. of Olives

We also were privileged to meet with MCC’s Jordan Advisory Committee. MCC is creating local advisory groups in each country where it works. These groups provide feedback and counsel regarding MCC’s in-country priorities. This was the second meeting of the Jordan Advisory Committee. They asked many questions and offered suggestions for our work. It was humbling to see how much trust MCC has engendered across the years. While acknowledging that MCC is a small organization, local leaders have high expectations about what MCC can accomplish.

A highlight of the week was attending a Palestinian wedding, Saturday evening, on the Mount of Olives -- followed by a lively and delightful reception in Bethlehem. While Palestinians have lived under extremely difficult circumstances for some 60 years, they have not forgotten how to celebrate! We have much to learn.

Bassem and Nora Thabet enter reception in Bethlehem

The Common Lectionary readings this week are about false gods and the one true God.

The prophet Isaiah writes that God anointed, called and used King Cyrus of Persia for God’s purposes, even though he didn’t know God (Is. 45:4-5). As sovereign creator, God is able to bend the actions of rulers to serve God’s plan and purpose. “I am the Lord, and there is no other;” God declares, “beside me there is no god” (v.5).

The psalmist draws this distinction: “For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens” (Ps. 96:5). False gods have no creative power of their own – only the power that we give them.

In the Epistle reading, Paul commends the church at Thessalonica because they “turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God” (I Thess. 1:9) – and because of their “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 3).

In the Gospel reading, the Pharisees try to trap Jesus with a question about ultimate loyalties: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” (Matt. 22:17). Rather than giving a yes or no answer, Jesus puts their question into perspective: “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (v.22).

With all of the political and economic uncertainties in today’s world, it is far too easy to place our trust in false gods like financial well-being, military might and best laid plans. But the recent, rapid decline of global financial markets and the poor “results” from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan remind us that such “gods” are not worthy of our loyalty and trust.

It is reassuring to remember that God alone holds the power to create that which is truly good. God alone is able to turn powerful kings into unwitting instruments to serve God’s purposes. When our allegiance is given to God alone, our lives, too, will reflect works of faith, labors of love and steadfastness of hope.

Proper 23 (October 12, 2008)
Common Lectionary Texts:
Is. 25:1-9; Ps. 23; Philippians 4:1-9; Matt. 22:1-14

We spent the week in Iran with leaders from six Mennonite universities in Canada and the United States who are interested in exploring joint efforts with Iranian universities. Delegation members took turns writing blog entries about our daily activities and conversations.

Cindy and Daryl (photo by Jim Pankratz)

We met administrators and academics from 12 educational institutions in Iran. Typically, we sat around large tables, eating delicious Iranian fruit and talking about how universities in Canada and the United States can develop relationships with schools in Iran.

The Mennonite and Muslim academics identified topics of mutual interest that could form the basis of future collaboration -- including peace and justice studies, comparative studies of the Abrahamic traditions, and the study of English and Farsi languages.

We gathered at large tables to talk about future collaboration between schools

While many Iranian universities already have exchange programs and joint research projects with schools in other countries, many of the academics we spoke with would also welcome more collaboration with American and Canadian universities as well.

The Common Lectionary readings this week focus on gathering at tables and feasting.

Isaiah says that God will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples (Is. 25:6), destroy the shroud and sheet that is cast over all nations (v.7) and wipe away the tears from all faces (v.8).

David declares: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Ps. 23:5).

In the Gospel reading, Jesus tells the parable of a wedding banquet in which the invited guests refuse to come. Not to be dissuaded, the host orders his servants to go into the streets. They “gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests” (Matt. 22:10).

The biblical vision is not simply of gathering at tables with our closest friends. Rather, tables provide a space where we can learn to know those who are different than us – even with those whom some would label as “our enemies.”

A typical bowl of fruit for each person at the table (photo by Harry Huebner)

In one of our meetings this week, an Iranian academic said that too many people today are sitting at the wrong tables. Rather than sitting around tables where we talk about justice and morality, too many people are sitting at tables where plans are laid for war.

We were blessed by Iranian hospitality this week. Eating at tables together afforded rich opportunities to see our common humanity. When we understand how much we share in common, we are much less likely to talk about war, and much more likely to dream together about a future of justice and peace.