Roots
Don Hamer is on professional development leave until May 15. He is writing occasional posts to this blog to share some of his experiences.
One week from yesterday, Debbie and I will be leaving on our pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where we will be blessed to spend from the day before Palm Sunday to the Monday after Orthodox Easter. Partially in preparation for the trip, and partially to spend time with a good friend, I had lunch yesterday with Yehezkel Landau, adjunct professor at Hartford Seminary and leader of the Building Abrahamic Partnerships course that always includes Sunday worship at Trinity.
In the course of our conversation, I observed that one of my goals for our pilgrimage was to deepen and strengthen the roots of my Christian faith by exploring and experiencing the Jewish faith and culture in Jerusalem. For one who has not been there, it would be assumed that would happen anyway -- you are, after all, in Israel, right? But for historical and political reasons, the city is divided up into sections, or quarters. While there is no "wall" such as was experienced between East and West Berlin, there is a type of psychological wall that creates barriers almost as strong -- and in some ways, because they are more subtle, perhaps stronger. Something to be on the lookout for when we are there . . . And a reminder of the invisible but no-less-real barriers that exist in our own society around issues of ethnicity, socio-economic status, educational background, gender, or physical or mental challenges.
Yehezkel and I then explored the idea of roots. As Christians, we tend to think that our Jewish roots lie exclusively in the Jewish Bible, or our Old Testament. But just as the Christian faith has not stood still since the last book of the New Testament canon was written, Judaism has continued to evolve as well. So I am faced with the question, what does modern Judaism have to say to the roots of my Christianity? Or to my Christian faith today? What can I learn or better appreciate about my own faith by opening myself to the experience of an Israeli Jew? A Palestinian Muslim? A Palestinian Christian? As we look for pathways to a lasting peace, how can these various voices enter into meaningful, honest, and safe conversation with each other. Please pray for us that we may be open to, and see God's hand in, many such experiences during our pilgrimage.
Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, and fellow child of Abraham, Don+
One week from yesterday, Debbie and I will be leaving on our pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where we will be blessed to spend from the day before Palm Sunday to the Monday after Orthodox Easter. Partially in preparation for the trip, and partially to spend time with a good friend, I had lunch yesterday with Yehezkel Landau, adjunct professor at Hartford Seminary and leader of the Building Abrahamic Partnerships course that always includes Sunday worship at Trinity.
In the course of our conversation, I observed that one of my goals for our pilgrimage was to deepen and strengthen the roots of my Christian faith by exploring and experiencing the Jewish faith and culture in Jerusalem. For one who has not been there, it would be assumed that would happen anyway -- you are, after all, in Israel, right? But for historical and political reasons, the city is divided up into sections, or quarters. While there is no "wall" such as was experienced between East and West Berlin, there is a type of psychological wall that creates barriers almost as strong -- and in some ways, because they are more subtle, perhaps stronger. Something to be on the lookout for when we are there . . . And a reminder of the invisible but no-less-real barriers that exist in our own society around issues of ethnicity, socio-economic status, educational background, gender, or physical or mental challenges.
Yehezkel and I then explored the idea of roots. As Christians, we tend to think that our Jewish roots lie exclusively in the Jewish Bible, or our Old Testament. But just as the Christian faith has not stood still since the last book of the New Testament canon was written, Judaism has continued to evolve as well. So I am faced with the question, what does modern Judaism have to say to the roots of my Christianity? Or to my Christian faith today? What can I learn or better appreciate about my own faith by opening myself to the experience of an Israeli Jew? A Palestinian Muslim? A Palestinian Christian? As we look for pathways to a lasting peace, how can these various voices enter into meaningful, honest, and safe conversation with each other. Please pray for us that we may be open to, and see God's hand in, many such experiences during our pilgrimage.
Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, and fellow child of Abraham, Don+
posted by Don+ @ 1:05 AM
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