Proper 21 (September 27, 2009)
Common Lectionary Readings:
Num. 11:4-29; Ps. 19:7-14; James 5:13-20; Mk. 9:38-50

On Friday, Daryl ran-jogged-waddled-walked 20 miles (32 km) in preparation for the Amman International Marathon, to be held Oct.17. His legs and lungs offered constant reminders that he is no longer 25 years old!

MCC staff visit the prophet Elijah's birthplace in northern Jordan during Sept. 2008 retreat

This weekend we begin a three-day retreat for MCC workers in the region. These annual gatherings are an opportunity to update each other on our work and to worship, laugh and play together. We look forward to this time each year.

This week the UN General Assembly opened a new session in New York. Presidents of many nations spoke. Some offered visionary speeches. Others spent their time assigning blame to others while ignoring or soft-peddling their own shortcomings.

Iran announced that it is constructing a second uranium enrichment plant, which triggered swift and broad international condemnation.

The Common Lectionary readings this week focus on human frailty and God’s offer of help.

In the Old Testament reading, Moses, who is fed up with the whining of the people, appeals to God, “I am not able to carry all this people alone, for they are too heavy for me” (Num. 11:14). God responds by sending God’s spirit to rest on 70 elders who can assist Moses, and by sending quails for the people to eat.

The psalmist offers praise for God’s law, which revives the soul (Ps. 19:7a), makes wise the simple (v.7b), gives joy to the heart (v.8a), enlightens the eyes (v.8b), and warns against errors (vv. 11-12).

In the Epistle reading, James urges those who are suffering and sick to use the tools God has provided for healing and wholeness. They are to pray (James 5:13), call on the elders to anoint them (v.14), and confess their sins to one another (v.16).

In the Gospel reading, Jesus warns his disciples not to cause children to stumble (Mark 9:42) and to take decisive action to prevent themselves from stumbling (vv.43-48).

The Lectionary readings offer us a choice. We can wallow in the fact that we (and those around us) are frail, likely to make mistakes and prone to harm others. Or we can be thankful that God is faithful to provide all that we need for health and wholeness.

Proper 20 (September 20, 2009)
Common Lectionary Readings:
Jer. 11:18-20; Ps. 54; James 3:13-4:8a; Mark 9:30-37

This weekend marks two significant religious holidays in the region. The Jewish New Year, or Rosh Hashanah, begins Saturday with 10 days set aside to focus on repentance. Muslims will celebrate the end of Ramadan with the Eid Al-Fitr.

We enjoyed hosting guests from Bethlehem this week and heard moving stories about how families survive and support each other under military occupation and the most difficult of circumstances.

Brother Andrew de Carpentier and students at HLID (photos by Taylor Luck for Jordan Times)

Cindy visited the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf (HLID) in Salt, Jordan, where MCC worker Brent Stutzman works on the deaf-blind unit, assisting with classes and after school activities. The unit has 8 boarding students. Each child receives individual teaching and care. This year, a HLID graduate joined the teaching staff on this special unit.

A woman stands in war debris in Gaza (AP photo from BBC website)

In the region this week:
-The U.N. released a report on the 2008-2009 Gaza conflict, charging both Israel and Hamas with serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law -- including possible war crimes and crimes against humanity. In an attempt to boost troop morale and to give wars a more “holy” character, rabbis are playing a larger role in Israel’s military – including the recent conflict in Gaza.

-U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell met several times with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to urge a freeze on settlements, but no agreement was reached.

-The U.S. military closed its largest prison in Iraq and released or handed over to Iraqi authorities more that 8,000 prisoners.

-Iran’s president announced again that his country does not need nuclear weapons, but that it plans to continue its nuclear energy program.
In a separate speech during Al Quds (Jerusalem) Day in Iran, Ahmadinejad said the Holocaust was a pretext for the creation of the Israeli state. Opposition groups used the speech as an occasion to again protest the June 12 election results.

The Common Lectionary readings this week are about trusting God to deal with our enemies -- those who threaten us and make life difficult for us.

In the Old Testament reading, the people want to destroy Jeremiah because he speaks God’s words of judgment to them. “Let us cut him off from the land of the living,” they chant, “so that his name will no longer be remembered!” (Jer. 11:19). Rather than take matters into his own hands, Jeremiah prays to God, “Let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause” (v.20).

When Saul pursues David to kill him, David confidently responds: “But surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. He will repay my enemies for their evil” (Ps. 54:4-5).

In the Epistle reading, James decries selfish ambition (3:14, 17) and engaging in disputes and conflicts (4:2). Instead, he urges gentleness (3:13), a willingness to yield (3:17) and submitting to God (4:7). “God opposes the proud,” James quotes, “but gives grace to the humble” (4:6).

In the Gospel reading, Jesus demonstrates his servant leadership. Rather than taking up arms, he is ready to suffer and die because he trusts that God will restore his life (Mark 9:31). In the same spirit, he discourages his disciples from attempts at self-promotion and self-importance. “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all,” Jesus challenges them (v.34).

Trusting God to deal with one’s enemies may work on a personal level, but is it possible for nations? Aren’t nations to rely on powerful militaries for their protection? While governing authorities have a role in maintaining order, the biblical message seems clear: Neither nations nor individuals are to trust in their own power for their defense. God does not have double standards.

Proper 19 (September 13, 2009)
Common Lectionary Readings:
Is. 50:4-9a; Ps. 116:1-9; James 3:1-12; Mk. 8:27-38

Ramadan is drawing to a close. By this time next week, Muslims will be celebrating the Eid ul-Fitr, a three-day holiday that marks the end to a month of fasting.

A young boy in Amman sells dates, often used to break the fast (AP photo by Mohammad abu Ghosh)

In Amman, we are beginning to enjoy the first hints of fall, with cooler nights. Daryl is training for the Amman International Marathon, Oct. 17. This is one of many events commemorating 100 years since Amman became the capital of Jordan.

Many in the United States paused this week to mark the sad memory of the Sept. 11 tragedy eight years ago. We are reminded of its repercussions in this region as well. Violence seems to be on the upswing in both Afghanistan and Iraq – the twin targets of U.S. attacks after Sept. 11. This week a suicide bombing near Mosul killed 20 people, and blasts in Kirkuk and Baghdad killed at least 10 more people.

Also this week, Israel approved more than 450 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank and Russia and the United States responded in very different ways to Iran’s proposal to engage in comprehensive discussions about a range of security issues, including global nuclear disarmament.

Most of the Common Lectionary readings this week focus on the human tongue.

Isaiah says that God has given him the tongue of a teacher so that he can “sustain the weary with a word” (Is. 50:4a). Isaiah’s secret for being a good teacher is his ability to first listen (vv. 4b-5). The psalmist uses his tongue to call on the Lord in times of trouble (Ps. 116:2-4).

In the Epistle reading, James urges few to become teachers because they will be judged with greater strictness (James 3:1). James says that, while every species of beast, bird, reptile and sea creature can be tamed, “no one can tame the tongue” (vv. 7-8). He describes the tongue as a small member that boasts of great exploits (v.5a), a fire (v.6a), a world of iniquity (v.6b) and a restless evil, full of deadly poison (v.8). “With it we bless the Lord and Father,” says James, “and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God” (v.9).

In the Gospel reading, Peter’s tongue gains him both blessing and rebuke. Peter correctly identifies Jesus as the Christ (Mk. 8:29), but then gets in trouble when he chastises Jesus for saying that the Christ will suffer and be killed (v.33).

Our tongue can give voice to words that sustain the weary. It allows us to call on God in times of distress. But it is also a dangerous weapon with the power to curse those who are created in the image of God.

If swords can be beaten into plowshares (Is. 2:4), certainly, with God’s help, the tongue can be tamed. Are we using our tongues to build a more just and peaceful world? Or do our words contribute to the chaos and violence that are far too prevalent?

Proper 18 (September 6, 2009)
Common Lectionary Readings:
Is. 35:4-7a; Ps. 146; James 2:1-17; Mark 7:24-37

We are continuing to enjoy the rhythm of Ramadan in Amman, which runs from new moon to new moon. We are nearing full moon, so Ramadan is half way through its cycle. Click on this link to view some incredible pictures of Ramadan around the world.

A crescent moon over the King Hussein Mosque in Amman, near the beginning of Ramadan (Reuters photo by Mohammad Hamed)

This week we said goodbye to friends who are moving to British Columbia, after working on Iraq issues during the past several years from a base in Amman. We also celebrated the birthday of long-term MCC worker Nada Zabaneh. Nada began her work as an administrative assistant in MCC’s Amman office in 1991. She now serves as MCC Jordan program coordinator, overseeing projects with partners throughout the country.

Nada Zabaneh celebrates birthday in MCC Jordan office

The new SALT workers in Jordan, Julie Lytle and Brent Stutzman, are completing their initial month of in-country orientation and language training in Amman. Next weekend they will head to their work placements in Irbid and Salt, respectively. We have been impressed with their positive attitude, sense of humor and willingness to embrace new experiences.

In the region this week, Iran announced its willingness to re-open talks on its nuclear program.

The Common Lectionary readings this week focus on God’s concern for the vulnerable – a concern that leads to God to make dramatic changes in the world.

In the Old Testament reading, Isaiah writes that God will open the eyes of the blind, unstop the ears of the deaf, make the lame to leap like a deer and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy (Is. 35:5-6a). God also transforms burning sand into pools and thirsty ground into springs of water (v.7)

Likewise, the psalmist declares that God executes justice for the oppressed (Ps. 146:7a), gives food to the hungry (v.7b), sets the prisoners free (v.7c), opens the eyes of the blind (v.8a), lifts up those who are bowed down (v.8b), watches over the strangers (v.9a) and upholds the orphan and the widow (v.9b).

In the Epistle reading, James says that God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith. Therefore, we should not make distinctions and show favoritism to wealthy and powerful people (James 2:1-7). Instead, if a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, those with true faith must supply their needs. “Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead,” says James (v.17)

In the Gospel reading, Jesus heals those who are outside his own community. He casts an unclean spirit out of the daughter of a Gentile woman in the region of Tyre (modern day Lebanon) and in the area of the Decapolis (modern day Jordan) he heals a deaf man with a speech impediment (Mark 7:24-37).

As we wait for God to transform those broken and seemingly hopeless situations in our world today, we are reminded that God calls us to make changes as well. How are we treating those who are most vulnerable? Does our faith have feet? Does it express itself in action?