October 25, 2023 Weekly Update
Many of us are paying attention to the news of a conflict and war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Every image and soundbite is difficult to digest. The knowledge that so many innocent people – especially children – are in harm’s way is particularly heart-wrenching.
Valerie shared with me a story from Christian Writer Ann Voskamp that gave a little back story to the release of Hamas hostage Yochoved Lifshitz. The 85-year-old Israeli woman is the first released hostage to speak about her ordeal. She was held hostage for 17 days. She said she “went through hell.” Her watch and jewelry were stolen, and her ribs were smashed. She had access to a clean toilet, and a Palestinian medic checked on her every day. She was fed the same food as her captors, and her room was cleaned daily to prevent disease. Her husband Oded is still being held hostage.
Yochoved and her husband are peace activists who have worked for years for the rights of Palestinians. Yochoved was known for carrying medical supplies into Gaza, and transporting sick Palestinians to Israel for medical care. She is who we wish we all could be in place of oppression, violence, and complicated relations between neighbors and territories.
But what got my attention was this: When Yochoved was released by her Hamas captor, the video reveals her holding hands with him and whispering “Shalom. Peace.” In the moment when many of us would rush to safety and freedom, she turned to her captor, held his hand, and wished him peace.
As we continue our stewardship theme of “living gratitude,” I’m grateful for real-world moments like this ‘shalom’ moment. In a chaotic and anxious world, God is at work in us and through us to shine a light in the darkness, to create peace in the midst of violence, to create a way when there seems to be no way. I’m grateful for God’s church, and our church – an outpost of God’s kingdom, seeking peace and justice with love and compassion each and every day.
Blessings,
Pastor Jared