At 6 am Lion’s Gate, Jerusalem, 15th April 2022. Families, many with young children were leaving the Al Aqsa Mosque. The atmosphere was calm. Children carried their balloons and bubble machines. At 6.30am the atmosphere changed. Everyone had a mobile phone in hand, so they knew at once there had been some kind of trouble. Some moved towards it and some moved quickly away. There were Police and soldiers watching every move.
Groups of young men, haircuts sharp and trouser legs narrow, gathered restlessly, full of nervous energy.
I was moving alone up the street, dog collar on and backpack carrying the words needed to walk the Stations of the Cross on the Via Dolorosa. I caught up with a tiny nun moving the same way, against the flow of the crowd leaving the mosque. We said hello.
As we passed a small cluster of soldiers, fingers on trigger, I said, ‘This must have been what it was like in Jerusalem in Jesus’ day.’ ‘I’ve often thought that,’ she replied.
Up until now, there has been restraint shown. Keeping the peace is not easy.
Always a contested space, this year because Ramadan and Pesach and Holy Week coincide, there is more pressure. Our pilgrim band walked the way of the cross, read the familiar words of the gospels, prayed powerful prayers, but did not linger. By 10 am we were in a coffee shop.
In penitence and sorrow for each time right is obscured by might;
For every time the powerful are given undue respect while the weak and powerless, the poor and the dispossessed are ignored and repressed;
We pray for liberation of women and for liberation of men.
We pray to the Lord, CHRIST HAVE MERCY.[1]
Prince of Peace,
Who chose the Way of the Cross
To overcome death and its dominion,
Help us to walk the way of the cross now
In humble service to
Shalom/salaam.
Amen.
[1] From A Good Friday Devotion by The Cathedral Church of St George the Martyr
Stepping out of the boat... 