Ephesians 4:1-3This program calls us to bear with each other in love, despite all difficulties and oppression. The program was written by a group of ecumenical Christian Palestinian women, who hope to inspire other women around the world to bear with one another in love during troubled times.
Agenda today:
“I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3 (NRSV)Ephesians is considered one of Paul’s “prison letters,” written in Rome around 60-61 CE. Paul encourages the Ephesians to live a sanctified life, bearing with one another in humility and love in order to maintain the gift of unity that God had given them. Paul reminds the Ephesians that God chose both Gentiles and Jews to be saved, bringing together people of very different backgrounds through the shared promise guaranteed by Christ to all the members of his church. Paul urges the Ephesians to live a life worthy of the calling they received, as people united with one another through Christ’s saving work.
This calling is not easy. It requires patience, self-denial, and love. Paul reminds the Ephesians to be united in one spirit by the hope they share in Christ. And so, we Christians spread throughout the world, can also find our unity and hope in this text.
My name is Eleonor.
My skin is wrinkled like the trunk of an olive tree. Like them, I have witnessed many wars and violence. I am a Palestinian Christian – a member of the Greek Orthodox Church in the Holy Land.
I come from a deeply rooted old Jerusalem family. In the early 19th century, my great grandfather established St. George’s Orthodox Church, which enabled Christians living outside the city walls to have a place to worship.
That church remained in existence until the catastrophe, or Nakba, of 1948, when 750,000 Palestinians were forced to flee, disperse, and become refugees. My family was included. Due to heavy shelling and bombardment, my parents ran for their lives. They took shelter at my mother’s cousin’s home, hoping to return soon to their original home and St. George’s Church. That never happened. Today, my parents’ home and St. George’s Church have become the Confederation House, an Israeli cultural center.
Prior to fleeing, my parents’ Jewish neighbors offered to store the treasures of the church, including icons and precious communion cups. They promised to safeguard my parents’ property and belongings until the family’s return.
As my brothers and I were growing up, my parents remembered their neighbors graciously as they waited for the big day of return. They imagined themselves collecting these sacred items and thanking their neighbors for keeping their promise. Sadly, my parents have passed away without realizing this dream. And yet, I vividly remember that, despite their pain and suffering over all they had lost, my parents were always thankful and spoke kindly about these Jewish neighbors. My parents taught me how to bear with others in love, always remembering to be grateful for those who do good.
As I have gone through life as a Palestinian Christian living in Jerusalem, I have chosen to be fully engaged with all members of the community at local and global levels. I learned from my parents’ example how important it is to stay together with others, even when life is harsh and difficult.
My commitment to my community started when I was in the 6th grade. My Arabic teacher engaged me in running errands for her humanitarian work. She was gentle and loving, which helped me grow to value and love working to make life better for others.
Later in life, I designed and implemented humanitarian aid and development programs, as well as social and community projects. These programs and projects served all people, regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender, status or need. I was privileged to help hundreds of women in Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank to sustain their families as breadwinners. Many of these projects have grown and spread to other areas, positively impacting many lives.
Life has not always been easy. I have setbacks, obstacles, and even threats. However, I firmly believe that our community can be strong together if there is genuine love, understanding, gentleness, humility, and patience.
Triune God, walk with us as we journey through the land where you lived and taught. Open our eyes to see the present suffering of the inhabitants of this land. Grant us the strength and courage to act and pray with all who suffer around the world. Amen.
4. Prayerful Action:
Shireen Awwad, a member of the WDP Palestine committee residing on the outskirts of Bethlehem, was emotional and brutally honest as she spoke about the situation in Gaza from a deeply personal perspective. ... Shireen’s plea for world action to encourage Israel to stop the inhumane attacks that represent “a collective punishment on all civilians because of Hamas,” must include peace and justice. “Peace without justice is not peace.”
- Join the Action Hour for a Cease Fire every Friday at 9 a.m. PT.
- Donate to AFSC's U.S. Palestine Activism Program to help build peace with justice.
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