This week, Muslims from around the world will begin the month-long
fasting period of Ramadan. Here in Jerusalem, Palestinian Muslims will be
providing free meals for the poor and other visitors each night so that they
may break the fast together under the stars by the Aqsa mosque. Traditionally,
excessive closures and detentions have made this a difficult month for
Palestinian Muslims, so we pray this year that the spirit of Ramadan will
prevail and even Israel will respect this holy time.
Gaza’s sole power station was shutdown on Saturday due to lack of
fuel. On Sunday, Gaza’s hospitals announced a state of emergency, citing dire
consequences for patients if the power is not turned back on, in particular for
those on life support and dialysis. On Monday morning, one of the station’s
generators was turned on with enough fuel to run for a day and a half. We hope
the leaders in Gaza and the PA and in Israel can resolve this problem and we
pray for those Gazans living in the dark.
This Saturday, young adults from Sabeel Nazareth will spend the
day on Mt. Tabor, the traditional site of the transfiguration, and the
surrounding area to reflect on the Gospel and its meaning for their lives
today. May God guide them as they reflect and walk the land to strengthen their
community and their faith.
In the past two weeks, over ninety Palestinian houses and
structures have been demolished in the occupied territories and on Monday
Israel’s civil administration began razing housing units again in the northern
Jordan valley. But through the will and faith of many Israeli, Palestinian, and
international activists, some of these homes are being rebuilt in courageous
acts of civil disobedience and we thank God for them and others who lovingly
serve their neighbor.
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