Rachel’s Reflections
Blessed Are All the Saint
All Saints is around the corner and the Gospel reading of the day is Matthew 5, the Beatitudes. For years, the below poem has hung on my fridge. I don’t know who wrote it, but I’m glad they did.
“Blessed are you who make room at your table, for in that way even tax-collectors shall be redeemed.
“Blessed are you who seek out lost sheep, for your seeking you find more than lamb.
“Blessed are you who touch the leper, for you make a home for the excluded.
“Blessed are the silenced, for you hear the cry of God.
“Blessed are you who make friends with your enemy, for your know they way to lasting peace.
“Blessed are you who turn the other check, for you show more strength than the oppressor.
“Blessed are you who break bread with the stranger, you will have a foretaste of the kingdom.
“Blessed are you who seek company with the outcast and unclean, for you shall be accompanying Jesus.
“Blessed are you who overturn the tables, for you are the freedom fighters of love.
“Blessed are you who love your neighbor, for you already live in the realm of God.”
There are still blessed ones among us. They fill crowds everywhere in all times. Look to your right – Blessed! And to your left – Blessed! Walk into a grocery store and make eye contact with everyone you pass – Blessed! Blessed! and Blessed!
Look in the mirror – B.L.E.S.S.E.D.!
Kairos Palestine II: A Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide
The 227th General Assembly in Milwaukee approved Resolution RIW-10, “On Affirming Kairos Palestine II: A Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide.” One of the recommendations encourages “PC(USA) members, congregations, and entities to make use of the free congregational study guide developed by the Palestine Justice Network of the PC(USA).”
Attached you will find the approved item, as well as Kairos Palestine II: A Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide, a powerful document written by members of the Palestinian Christian Ecumenical Initiative, a group that includes representatives from across the various Christian traditions in Palestine.
Below are links to the study guide and several related articles offering important insights into the current crisis, as well as opportunities for reflection, engagement, and action:
- Kairos Palestine II Study Guide — Palestine Justice Network (PJN)
- Kairos Palestine II leaders speak to PC(USA) delegation about their recent call for justice
- The PC(USA)’s Christianity without Christian Zionism conference opens with a powerful keynote address
- Examining the human and theological costs of Christian Zionism
- The two covenants and the concept of Israel
- The way forward
Some of these articles are also available in Spanish and Korean. To access translated versions, click the language option in the upper-right corner of the webpage.
Please note that members of the PC(USA) Palestine Justice Network (PJN) are available for conversation and to assist groups using the Kairos Palestine II study guide. Arrangements are being made for the guide to be translated into other languages. Should you wish to connect with PJN leaders, please contact Ronald Shive (ronald.shive@gmail.com) or Marietta Macy (mvmacy@gmail.com). You may also wish to reach out to my colleagues and Global Ecumenical Liaisons for Europe and Middle East, Doug Dicks (douglas.dicks@pcusa.org) and Luciano Kovacs (Luciano.Kovacs@pcusa.org).
Many thanks to one of my US-GEL colleague, Vilmarie Cintron-Olivieri, for researching and composing the above message to be shared with all mid-councils and congregations.
