Proper 17 (August 30, 2009)
Common Lectionary Readings:
Deut. 4:1-2, 6-9; Ps. 15; James 1:17-27; Mk. 7:1—8, 14-15, 21-23

We are now in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan (called “Ramazan” in Iran), during which many Muslims (and some Christians) fast from dawn till dusk. There is a different rhythm of life. The pace slows. Many businesses close or reduce their working hours. During parts of the day, the traffic is light -- at times the roads even seem deserted. Even those who are not fasting are expected to refrain from eating or drinking in public.

We admire those who observe this discipline – especially not drinking water during this hot season!

Ahmad Attalla sells qatayef -- a traditional sweet -- to customers in Amman (photo by Taylor Luck for Jordan Times)

But Ramadan is not all deprivation. The evening is magical. Families gather to break the fast with an iftar meal and traditional sweets. We are surrounded by comforting sounds of family celebrations – happy conversations, children laughing and silverware scraping plates. In many ways, it seems like Christmas for a whole month! We are reminded that family and community is a gift from God.

Also in the region this week, children returned to school in Gaza. Many school buildings were heavily damaged during the January 2009 war.

Badly damaged school in Beit Lahia -- northern Gaza Strip

We saw the devastation during our visit to Gaza in February 2009. Sadly, these buildings have not yet been repaired because Israel will not allow construction materials to enter the Gaza Strip.

The American International School of Gaza -- built with U.S. taxpayer dollars, destroyed by U.S.-supplied F-16 jet

The Common Lectionary readings address the connection between obedience and intimacy with God. They also speak about the difference between human traditions and true religion – which springs from the heart.

In the Old Testament reading, Moses tells the Israelites to diligently observe God’s just statutes and ordinances as a witness to all peoples (Deut. 4:6). “What other great nation has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is whenever we call to him?” Moses asks.

The psalmist asks, “Who may live in God’s tent and abide on God’s holy hill?” (Ps. 15:1). It is those who walk blamelessly, speak the truth and do not slander (vv. 2-3a). It is those who do no evil or harm to their neighbors (v. 3b). It is those who despise evil deeds and honor those who fear God (v.4). It is those who loan money without interest and do not take bribes (v.5).

In the Epistle reading, James say that pure religion – that which is pleasing to God – is “to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:27). He calls his readers to “be doers of (God’s) word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves” (v.22).

In the Gospel reading, Jesus confronts the religious leaders who strictly observe human traditions and focus on outward appearances, while their hearts are far from God (Mk. 7:6). “You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition,” Jesus challenges (v.8).

It is easy to see only the outward manifestations of Ramadan – the fasting, changes in work hours and traffic patterns. But Ramadan is really about the heart. Like the Christian season of Lent, it is a time to seek God’s forgiveness and guidance. It is a time to humbly surrender to God, to learn patience and to better practice one’s faith.

May our faith, too, be a matter of the heart, not simply observing lifeless human traditions.

Proper 16 (August 23, 2009)
Common Lectionary Readings:
Josh. 24:1-2a, 14-18; Ps. 34:15-22; Eph. 6:10-20; John 6:56-69

The past two weeks have been filled with activity and excitement.

Some 30 young adults from Canada, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and the United States gathered in Amman in early August for the second East-West dialogue, sponsored by the Middle East Council of Churches and MCC. In addition to conversations about culture, faith, identity and peacebuilding, the group met with local religious leaders and Jordan’s Prince Hassan.

Participants in the East-West dialogue share a laugh during a coffee break

On Aug. 11, we traveled to Sarajevo to meet with Amela and Randy Puljek-Shank, MCC Reps for Southeast Europe.

Sarajevo

We learned about the history and culture of the region and met with MCC partners who are doing peacebuilding work in a post-war environment.

Isak and Randy Puljek-Shank in Sarajevo

We welcomed two new SALT workers to Jordan, Aug. 16. They will spend the first month in Arabic language training.

Julie Lytle, recent grad from Wheaton College (Illinois)

Brent Stutzman, recent grad from Bethel College (Kansas)

Julie Lytle will then work at the Arab Episcopal School in Irbid and Brent Stutzman will serve at the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf in the town of Salt.

We were delighted to learn this week that our son Holden has announced his engagement to Heidi Bowman! They are planning a late December wedding.

Holden Byler and Heidi Bowman

Holden is a web programmer at Eastern Mennonite University and Heidi is an elementary teacher at Eastern Mennonite School.

In the region this week, Israel stopped issuing new permits for settlement housing, but did not freeze activity on houses already under construction.
In Baghdad, car and truck bomb explosions killed nearly 100 persons this week, as insurgents continue to test Iraqi security forces.

The Common Lectionary readings this week focus on matters of first importance.

In the Old Testament reading, Joshua confronts the people with a choice: Will they serve the Lord or the local gods and the gods of their ancestors? It is not possible to serve both. The people promise to serve the Lord, who delivered their ancestors from slavery, performed great signs, protected them on their journey and provided them with a place to live (Josh. 24:16-18).

The psalmist admits that the righteous have many afflictions, but offers assurances that the Lord hears their cry for help and rescues them from all their troubles (Ps. 34: 15-21).

In the Epistle reading, Paul warns against getting side-tracked by fighting human enemies – flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12a). Rather, our real struggle is against “the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (12b). In this struggle, we can be strong in the Lord as we put on God’s armor – truth, justice, the gospel of peace, God’s deliverance and God’s word (vv. 13-17). God’s armor stands in sharp contrast to the way political leaders offer security – by demonizing enemies, dominating others, using lethal force, and trusting in human strength and strategies.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus urges his disciples to focus on spiritual rather than temporal things. They are to feed on the bread that comes down from heaven (himself), rather than look for physical bread (John 6:56-58). “It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless,” Jesus tells them (v. 63).

In MCC’s work in war-torn regions like Bosnia and the Middle East, we are reminded often that the struggle is against forces that seem larger than life. Paul aptly describes them as “cosmic powers of this present darkness” and “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” It is easy to feel helpless against such powerful forces.

And yet, the Lectionary readings remind us that we are not defenseless. God has given armor to protect us in the struggle and true food to nourish us for the journey. God is faithful to deliver and rescue.

Proper 14 (August 9, 2009)
Common Lectionary Readings:
I Kings 19:4-8; Ps. 34:1-8; Eph. 4:25-5:2; John 6:35, 41-51

We spent the week in Amman, receiving a number of guests in the MCC office. On Thursday afternoon, two Japanese visitors stopped by to discuss their organization’s work in Israel-Palestine and Iraq -- both places where MCC also has projects. As we talked about our joint peacebuilding interests, it dawned on us that this day – August 6 -- was the 64th anniversary of the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima. It was a humbling and surreal moment.

Participants in the first young adult East-West dialogue (August 2008)

Thirteen young adults from Canada and the United States arrived in Amman late this week for the second annual East-West Dialogue, sponsored by MCC and the Middle East Council of Churches. They will meet with young adults from Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria to discuss issues of identity, culture and faith – and how they can be peacebuilders in a world torn by conflict.

Three roadside bombs targeted Iraqi Shiite pilgrims returning from Karbala (AFP photo)

In Iraq, at least three dozen people were killed on Friday by bombings aimed at Shia Muslims. The Iraqi government has been seeking to reduce sectarian fighting by – among other strategies -- offering $2,000 to Sunni and Shia Muslims who get married! Sunni-Shia marriages were common before the 2003 U.S.-led war.

The Common Lectionary readings this week focus on God’s provision and care in times of special need.

In the Old Testament reading, Elijah fears for his life after Queen Jezebel threatens to kill him. He flees to the wilderness where he begs God to take his life (I Kings 19:4). Instead, God sends an angel to provide him with food and water so Elijah can travel to a place of safety.

In Psalm 34, David is also fleeing for his life. He cries to God, who delivers David from his fears and saves him from his trouble (vv. 4-6).

In the Gospel reading, the Jews complain when Jesus claims that he is “the bread of life” (John 6:35, 41). Jesus is undeterred. He reminds the crowd that their ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but eventually they died (v. 49). He claims that whoever eats the bread that he offers “will live forever” v. 51).

In the Epistle reading, Paul challenges the church to be “imitators of God” and to show concern for one another as Christ did for us (Eph. 5:1-2). They are to: Speak truthfully (4:25); share with the needy (4:28); speak only grace-filled words that build up others (4:29); and be kind and forgiving (4:32).

It light of ongoing violence in Iraq and the anniversaries of the dreadful atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Aug. 6 and 9, respectively), it seems especially appropriate that young adults from East and West will gather in Amman this week to discuss a more hopeful future.

God is in the business of offering sustainable solutions to human needs and conflicts. God’s strategy includes using human beings who have learned to see the beauty and value in those who are different than themselves. May God give us living bread for this journey.

Proper 13 (August 2, 2009)
Common Lectionary Readings:
Ex. 16:2-4, 9-15; Ps. 78:23-29; Eph. 4:1-16; John 6:24-35

This week we visited MCC partners in northern Jordan and met with an Iraqi partner to discuss a new water project.

Water pours from a hillside spring in Youbla

The Jordanian community of Youbla is building small canals to channel precious water from several hillside springs to fields below where pomegranate and fig trees are grown, providing families with an important source of income.

Canals carry water from springs to crops in the valley

The lush green spring-watered valley, near the border with Syria, stands in stark contrast to the brown hills that surround it.

Spring-fed pomegranate trees flourish amid brown hills

Across the Jordan River from the Sea of Galilee, the Jordanian village of Adassiyeh is installing water tanks on top of houses to provide a clean source of water for some 250 families. We heard the remarkable story of the careful process that community leaders used to decide which households would receive tanks. In an arid place where temperatures regularly swell to well over 100 degrees, water gives life.

A new white water tank provides a 10-day supply of water for a household in Adassiyeh

In the region this week, more than two dozen Iraqis were killed by bomb blasts outside five Shia mosques in Baghdad as worshipers were leaving Friday prayers. On a lighter note, the children of Gaza set a world record for the largest number of kites flown at the same time from the same place!

The Common Lectionary readings this week are about God’s generous provision.

In the Old Testament reading, the Israelites complain to Moses and Aaron about the food rations in the wilderness. “If only we had died in Egypt where we ate our fill of bread,” they grumble (Ex. 16:3). God responds by sending bread from heaven each morning and quails each evening.

Young pomegranates

The psalmist tells the same story. In spite of the fact that God has provided gushing water, the Israelites whine, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness? . . . Can God also give bread or provide meat for his people?” (Ps. 78:19-20). God is angry because the people have not trusted God’s saving power. Still, God opens the skies and rains down manna – the bread of angels -- and sends birds for them to eat (vv. 23-28) so that all the people were “well filled” (v.29).

In the Gospel reading, after Jesus feeds the crowd of 5,000, they follow him, hoping to be fed again. They remind Jesus that God sent bread from heaven to feed their ancestors. Jesus tells them to work for the food “that endures for eternal life,” not for food that perishes (v. 27). “I am the bread of life,” he tells them, “whoever comes to me will never be hungry” (v.35).

In the Epistle reading, Paul urges the church at Ephesus to “lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Eph. 4:1) and to use whatever gift God has given them “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (v.12).

This week we saw evidence that God still spreads tables in the wilderness. In places that are dry and hot, in situations that seem hopeless, God gives gifts that sustain life and build community. God calls us to do the same.