Broken Hearts

As we commemorated the life of Herman of Alaska during the Holy Eucharist on Wednesday (he was a 19th century Russian Orthodox monk and missionary), we read Luke 9:46-48. In this brief story, the disciples argue about who is the greatest. Jesus responds by inviting a little child to sit by his side. He then says, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.”

 This week, Jesus’ words break my heart. I keep thinking about the three dozen premature babies in Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza who struggle to live because there is no power for their incubators. Who, beyond the ill-equipped doctors and nurses who toil to care for them, will ensure that these infants have a chance to survive? Who, beyond the families that wait helplessly for their loved ones to return, will ensure the elderly Israelis held hostage by Hamas are not forgotten? Will these most vulnerable humans be nothing but pawns in a tragic power struggle?

 I have too many questions and no good answers. So, I offer this prayer of lament from the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). Sometimes all we can do is entrust our broken hearts and our fragile hope to the hands of God.

O God of life and love and peace,

We witness the violence and injustice in your Holy Land

And our hearts break.

Our hearts break for the people of Israel—

For the victims of violent attacks by Hamas

For those who live with fear and insecurity

For those who suffer from the inter-generational trauma of violence.

Our hearts break for Palestinians—

For the victims of violent attacks by the Israeli military

For those being denied water, electricity and medical care

For those who are refugees, long displaced from their homes.

We especially pray—

That weapons of war be laid down

That walls of separation be dismantled

That prisoners be released

That demonizing of “the other” cease

That political leaders seek the good of all people in Palestine and Israel.

O God, whose heart breaks for the world,

May your justice dwell in the land

May your righteousness abide in fruitful fields

May the effect of righteousness be quietness and trust forever

May the effect of justice be peace—enduring peace.

Amen