Yesterday the Pope conducted mass in Manger Square in Bethlehem but even more importantly he made a political statement. All the promotion for his visit to these Holy Lands said it was not a political trip, it was a religious trip. But it is impossible to go to Jordan, Israel and Palestine and not get political. While in Jordan he visited a camp filled with Syrian refugees. He flew to the Palestinian territory and Pope Francis stopped at the wall that circles around Bethlehem and said a prayer. He prayed that peace come to this divided land.
I have visited Israel and Palestine three times. First in 1995, when I fell in love with the country that is so filled with religious history, then in 1997 when I took a group from Bowmanville to see this historic land and then again in 2012 when again I had folks from the congregation with me. I would go again in a heartbeat. There is always more to learn and a deeper spiritual connection every time. On my last visit I was stunned to see the wall – or the security perimeter as the Israeli government calls it. It snakes across the countryside and is a blight on the landscape. I know, I know there is guilt on both sides of the arguement. Neither side is fully guilty or fully innocent but in the crossfire many, many are being hurt as anger and resentment roils in the streets.
I am glad that Pope Francis is not avoiding the political implications of his visit to this troubled and divided land. During his visit he has challenged the leaders to come together and work for peace. May this lead to small steps towards lessening this age-old conflict.
