Offering our Tears for the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

By geography they are Israelis and Gazans. By ethnicity they are Jews and Arabs. By religion they are Jewish and Muslim. By history they are enemies. At least, that’s what I’ve been told.

I wish it were that simple. I wish I could draw a bright line between who is right and who is wrong. I wish I could clearly identify a good guy and a bad guy. But I can’t. It’s not that simple.

Both want a homeland. Both want security. Both want a life of freedom, meaning, and purpose. Both want a future for their children. Both face common enemies – fear, past hurts, and violence. At least, that’s what I want to believe.

I wish it were that simple. I wish I could erase the line between “us and them.” I wish I could encompass all in a circle of forgiveness, peace, and unity. But I can’t. It’s not that simple.

By God, however, both are human beings created in God’s image and likeness. Both are suffering. And both are weeping. It is that simple.

“How shall we comfort those who weep? By weeping with them.” (Alexander Elchaninov)

I once read that some old saint, I don’t remember who, said that our eyes are two baptismal fonts and our tears are the waters of baptism. Several times each year we return to the waters of our baptism and renew our baptismal vows. Maybe it’s time to return to our baptismal waters and renew our humanity. Maybe it’s time we let our tears be our prayers.

For all who weep;
I offer my tears.

For my brothers and sisters in Israel;
I offer my tears.

For my brothers and sisters in Gaza;
I offer my tears.

For all who have died, been injured, or taken hostage;
I offer my tears.

For all who grieve and mourn the death of family or friends;
I offer my tears.

For all who have seen what they never wanted to see;
I offer my tears.

For all who lack food, water, shelter;
I offer my tears.

For all who live in fear, amidst violence, and without peace;
I offer my tears.

For all who have lost their home, been displaced, or made a refugee;
I offer my tears.

For all who suffer antisemitism, prejudice, or hatred;
I offer my tears.

For all who have been oppressed or besieged;
I offer my tears.

For all who live and die by the sword of violence;
I offer my tears.

For all who suffer the consequences of others’ decisions;
I offer my tears.

For our apathy and indifference to the needs and suffering of others;
I offer my tears.

For the pain of the world;
I offer my tears.

For the ways in which we have betrayed our own humanity;
I offer my tears.

For all who “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being” (Book of Common Prayer, 305 );
I offer my tears.

Receive my tears O God, O Yahweh, O Allah. Mingle them with yours and “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24) “May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.” (Psalm 126:5) Amen.

Additional Resources and News:

• A Prayer for the People of the Holy Land from the Archbishop of Canterbury
• A Prayer for Peace in Israel and Palestine
• “A Litany for the Holy Land” by the Rev. Leyla Kamalick King, a Palestinian-American Episcopal priest
• Resources from The Episcopal Church
• ENS Article: Airstrike reportedly hits Anglican-run Ashli hospital in Gaza, raising fear of mass casualties.
• ENS Article: Deadly bast at Anglican hospital in Gaza was ‘crime against humanity,” archbishop says

Giving Resourse:

• Episcopal leaders are encouraging Episcopalians to donate to American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which supports the Ahli hospital.