Grieving together

Grieving together - Israelis and Palestinians in sacred activism

I live in a beautiful bubble in the middle of the desert. 

It is an oasis of calm in a sea of insanity. 

It is utter wilderness. 

And when I look for a moment

beyond the horizon to the north

I know

that in my name

destruction rages. 

This land

is burning

it feels like a civil war is brewing 

it feels like these extremists 

are so attached to violence

to poisonous language

that polarizes

and tries to give an illusion of safety

that is based upon separation

and disdain

How can we continue to believe the illusion that violence can bring safety? 

Violence leads to more violence.

It has become abundantly clear to me 

that the only way we will be able to live well

here in this corner of the world

is to learn again

to live together in love

with the ones with whom we disagree

with the ones who may have been named our ‘enemy’

with ourselves

with one another

with life. 

In the face of the realities here

I do what I know…I pray.