Yet there are sources of light in these dark times. One of those sources for me was a recent article on the PBS Evening News that featured two women leaders of an organization called NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change. Based in Los Angeles, New Ground was formed over fifteen years ago to promote peace and understanding among Muslims and Jews through dialogue, deep listening, prayer, and service. The seeds planted over those years are bearing fruit even in these very divisive and violent times. Please take time to watch the video of the PBS article posted below. One part that was especially meaningful to me was when the Muslim leader acknowledged that it is difficult to reach out across longstanding barriers, because we fear a defensive or even hostile reaction from the other side. When she faced that fear and dared to reach out to others in a setting of listening and dialogue, she found out that “there is actually love.” This love does not deny or diminish our pain. Rather it includes the reality of the pain and empowers us to work through the pain. Recently NewGround held an online Prayer Vigil for Innocent Lives. It is a powerful witness to the love of God that holds us in our pain and provides a way to come together for mutual support and healing. Click here to watch the video of the prayer vigil. I am grateful to these Muslim and Jewish sisters and brothers who embody the love that is the source of hope and healing because we are all made in the image of God.
Ever since the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel on October 7, the stories of violence and death have been overwhelming. The numbers continue to grow of the thousands of people who died in the terrorist attacks and the nearly non-stop bombings of sites throughout Gaza. The vast majority of those killed are innocent Israelis and Palestinians including thousands of children. For those of us who see the media reports from a distance, the natural tendency is to either try to shut it out or engage in endless debates about the cause and conduct of the war. Either approach only increases the level of fear, anxiety, and division. Most social media platforms only heighten the sense of hostility and hatred.