Epiphany 7 (February 22, 2009)
Common Lectionary Readings:
II Kings 2:1-12; Ps. 50:1-6; II Cor. 4:3-6; Mk. 9:2-9

This week we were finally allowed to enter Gaza, where we visited MCC partners. We traveled the 25-mile length of the Gaza Strip, viewing areas that were most affected by the 22-day war – Beit Hanoun, Jabalia and Beit Lahia in the north; Gaza City in the center; and Khan Younis and Rafah in the south.

Map of Gaza Strip (BBC News)

We saw dozens of houses near the Israel border that had been flattened by Israeli bombs. All told, some 4,000 houses were destroyed and another 20,000 were damaged.

A Palestinian youth stands on top of his home near the Israeli border

Thousands of Gazans are living in tents or makeshift houses built from tin or plastic. Many government buildings – including police stations and the presidential palace – have been reduced to piles of rubble. Many UN and Palestinian government schools have been badly damaged. The $4.0 million American International School of Gaza was completely crushed.

The American International School of Gaza was built with U.S. dollars and destroyed by U.S. weapons supplied to Israel.

We heard expressions of anger, grief and despair. Many are disillusioned about any prospects for peace. But we also witnessed courage and self-sacrifice. Many are eager to volunteer to help those who have lost the most. Amazingly, we saw smiles and heard laughter. Palestinians are a resilient people.

Cindy with Rifqa, director of MCC partner Al-Najd Forum for Development

Children, who have been traumatized by the attacks, are now returning to schools.

A Palestinian child's drawing of the 22-day war

Teachers and social workers are using art, music and drama to begin the process of trauma healing. We visited one home where a frightened young boy immediately wet his pants. His grandmother tried to reassure him: “These are the Mennonites, they will not bring rockets.”

Young girls at a school near Khan Younis sing about their hopes for a better life

MCC partners have distributed food and material resources and are engaged in trauma healing efforts. Their work is truly inspiring to witness.

The Common Lectionary readings this week focus on transitions, transformation and transfiguration.

The Old Testament reading describes the transition of leadership from Elijah to Elisha (II Kings 2:1-12). Elisha is reluctant to let go of his mentor, Elijah, and begs for a double share of Elijah’s spirit. His wish is granted as Elijah is transported to heaven by a chariot and horses of fire.

The psalmist writes that God gathers and delivers those whose lives have been transformed – all who offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and go the right way (v.23). But God rebukes those whose words are hollow and whose lives are filled with evil (vv.16-22).

In the Epistle reading, Paul writes that the gospel message is hidden from those who have no faith (II Cor. 4:4), but transforms those who have faith by revealing “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (v.6).

In the Gospel reading, Jesus is transfigured in front of his disciples and his clothes become dazzling white (Mk. 9:2-9). Moses and Elijah, who represent the law and the prophets, appear on the mountaintop with Jesus and a cloud envelops them. A voice speaks, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” (v.7). Then Elijah and Moses disappear. The message could not be clearer: the way of Jesus is superior to the law and the prophets.

The trip to Gaza was a sobering reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. With Elisha, we wish for a double-portion of God’s Spirit for our work. We desire our lives to be more fully aligned with the way of Jesus. All else is less than what God desires for the entire human family.

This coming week, we plan to visit Iraq.

Epiphany 6 (February 15, 2009)
II Kings 5:1-14; Ps. 30; I Cor. 9:24-27; Mark 1:40-45

On Monday, Cindy visited the Latin Parish School in Wahedneh – one of MCC’s Global Family partners in northern Jordan.

Cindy with MCC staff member Suzi Khoury

The trip to Wahedneh is a journey through history, as it passes by the Roman ruins in Jerash (one of the 10 cities of the Decapolis) and the historic Ajloun Castle, which dates to the Crusader period.

Wahedneh is located on a hilltop and offers a spectacular view of the northern Jordan Valley. Cindy visited with the 5th grade class – and felt at home as a former teacher. Ten-year-olds around the world are similar and engaging! But many essential classroom resources were missing. The walls were bare and there was only one book for about 20 children. The school is using MCC’s Global Family grant to purchase books for a newly-established library.

Um Yousef from Wadi Rayyan, with partners from Youbla and Himmeh.

On Saturday, MCC staff led a workshop for Jordan partners, to discuss the variety of projects that are being implemented in Jordan. A variety of Muslim and Christian partners from across Jordan attended and engaged in spirited discussion.

Daryl with MCC partners from Wadi Araba in southern Jordan

In the region this week, Israel’s elections had inconclusive results. Hamas announced that a longer-term truce with Israel is imminent.
And Israel allowed residents of Gaza to make a shipment of flowers to Europe in time for Valentines Day.

We received news that our permits have been approved to travel to Gaza, February 16. Delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza has been politicized, as Israelis, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas all want to control what gets in to Gaza and how it is distributed.

The Common Lectionary readings this week are about recognizing our need for help.

In the Old Testament reading, Naaman, commander of the Syrian army, recognizes his need to be cured of leprosy, but is unhappy with the prophet Elisha’s methods (II Kings 5:1-14).

The psalmist cries out to God for help (Ps. 30) – against his foes (v.1), for healing (v.2) and to restore his life (v.3).

In the Epistle reading, Paul worries that, after proclaiming the gospel message to others, he himself could be disqualified. For this reason he makes every effort to run in such a way that he may be awarded the prize (I Cor. 9:24-27).

In the Gospel reading, a man with leprosy comes to Jesus begging to be healed of leprosy (Mark 1). “If you choose, you can make me clean,” the man pleads (v.40). In some of the most beautiful words in Scripture, Jesus replies simply, “I do choose. Be made clean” (v.42).

Each day holds new challenges in this region. Increasingly, we recognize our need for God’s help to navigate deep waters. The words of Jesus, "I do choose," give great comfort each time we plead for God’s help.

Epiphany 5 (February 8, 2009)
Common Lectionary Readings:
Is. 40:21-31; Ps. 147:1-11,20c; I Cor. 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39

Again this week, we were unable to travel to Gaza because Israel is allowing few humanitarian organizations to enter.

In the region this week, militants in Gaza fired rockets into Israel and Israel retaliated by bombing tunnels that serve as supply routes from Egypt to the Gaza Strip. Some fear a serious escalation in fighting.

The Israeli navy intercepted this Lebanese ship that was taking aid to Gaza (AP photo)

Israel’s navy intercepted a Lebanese ship bound for Gaza carrying medical supplies, food, clothing and toys for children. Meanwhile, the United Nations accused Hamas of raiding one its warehouses in Gaza and taking 3,500 blankets and 400 food parcels. The U.N. has temporarily suspended aid shipments to Gaza.

Israel will hold elections, Feb. 10, and Benjamin Netanyahu, is expected to become the next prime minister. His Likud party’s charter says, “The Government of Israel flatly rejects the establishment of a Palestinian Arab state west of the Jordan river. The Palestinians can run their lives freely in the framework of self-rule, but not as an independent and sovereign state. Ironically, Israel and much of the international community refuse to negotiate with Hamas because Hamas does not recognize the State of Israel.

Iraq held largely peaceful elections in 14 of its 18 provinces, with some 14,000 candidates vying for 440 seats. Unlike the previous election, a significant number of Sunni Muslims participated this time.

In Iran, former President Khatami announced that he will again seek election as president in the June 2009 elections.

The Common Lectionary readings this week are about God’s concern for the vulnerable and his opposition to those who are proud and do harm to others.

The Old Testament reading declares that God “brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing” (Is. 40:23). “Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows upon them, and they wither” (v. 24), Isaiah warns. By contrast, God “gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless” (v.29).

The psalmist writes that God “gathers the outcasts” (Ps. 147:2), “heals the brokenhearted” (v.3) and “lifts up the downtrodden” (v.6a), but “casts the wicked to the ground” (v.6b).

In the Epistle reading, Paul goes to great lengths to proclaim the gospel of peace to all who are not yet experiencing the fullness of God’s blessing (I Cor. 9:16-23).

In the Gospel reading, Jesus cures the sick (Mark. 1:31, 34a) and proclaims a message of good news, while opposing and casting out demons who oppress the people (vv. 34b, 39b).

As we are witnessing in the Middle East and around the world, political leaders come and go. Isaiah’s words spoken nearly 3,000 years ago still ring true. God continues to bring princes to naught, while giving power to the faint. In caring for vulnerable people, sometimes God works through the world’s rulers, sometimes God works in spite of them.

Epiphany 4 (February 1, 2009)
Common Lectionary Readings:
Deut. 18:15-20; Ps. 111; I Cor. 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28

This week the fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel began to unravel and fighting resumed in Gaza. This morning, several rockets were fired from Gaza and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert quickly vowed a “disproportionate” response.

U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell visited the region last week and met with Egyptian, Israeli and Palestinian Authority leaders. Unfortunately, he did not visit Gaza and refused to meet with leaders of Hamas. Mitchell called for a more durable ceasefire and urged Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

We had hope to visit MCC partners in Gaza tomorrow, but that is looking increasingly unlikely. While a few international aid workers are getting into Gaza, many are not.

King Abdullah with son Hashem (Jordan Times photo by Yousef Allan)

Jordanians celebrated King Abdullah’s 47th birthday, Jan. 30. His son, Prince Hashem, celebrated his 4th birthday on the same day. The occasion was used to recite the king’s humanitarian accomplishments during the past year (increasing affordable housing) and dreams for the coming year (upgrading the agricultural sector). In a reversal of gift-giving, King Abdullah used his birthday to distribute 1,001 truckloads of food to poor families in Jordan.

The Common Lectionary readings this week focus on true and false authority. According to these texts, authentic authority is truthful, honorable, powerful, just, and able to create, sustain and bring about positive changes. It inspires a following.

In the Old Testament reading, God promises to send a prophet who will speak God’s words. God will hold the people accountable based on whether or not they “heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name” (Deut. 18:19). The test of true and false prophets is simple: Do their words come true or not? (vv. 21-22)

The psalmist gives thanks to God with his “whole heart” (Ps. 111:1) because God’s works are great (v.2), full of honor and majesty (v.3), powerful (v.6), faithful and just (v.7). Fear of this God is the beginning of wisdom (v.10).

In the Epistle reading, Paul writes that “no idol in the world really exists,” and that “there is no God but one” (I Cor. 8:4). Indeed, says Paul, “for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist” (v.6).

In the Gospel reading, the people of Capernaum are astounded at the authority of Jesus’ teaching (Mark 1:22) and amazed at his authority over unclean spirits (vv.23-27).

Sometimes the world’s leaders live and act as if they are the final authority – unaware that they are ultimately accountable to God and to God’s call to act justly and with compassion. They demand a following but offer little that is worth following.

Kings, presidents, prime ministers and prophets come and go. By what authority do they order their lives? It is the question we should ask of all leaders who expect us to follow.