Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land

OF FRIENDS THE HOLY LAND

GIVING HOPE TO VULNERABLE CHRISTIANS

Holy Week Voices From theHoly Land Poems and Reflections for Lent and Easter Fr Richard Nesbitt and 15 voices from the Holy Land Forewords by Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Justin Welby

Holy Week Voices From theHoly Land Poems and Reflections for Lent and Easter

Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land Copyright © 2021, Fr Richard Nesbitt and Mr Peter Rand (Friends of the Holy Land) All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher.

The moral right of Fr Richard Nesbitt and the 15 contributors of the Holy Land reflections to be identified as authors has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The paintings by James Tissot (1836-1902) used to illustrate each chapter can be found in the Brooklyn Museum and are featured here thanks to their kind permission and a creative commons licence.

This edition first published in the UK by Dr Mark Nash (Archdiocese of Southwark) - aec.rcaos.org.uk Printed in Great Britain by The Graphic Design House

Farmer Ward Road, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2DH www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk • Registered Charity Number 1130054 01926 512980 • office@friendsoftheholyland.org.uk friendsoftheholyland

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Dedication To the embattled Christian communities of the Holy Land, who through their faith and courage continue to give witness to the living presence of Christ in the land of his birth. In a particular way I would like to dedicate this book to Issa Ghanem, my first friend from the Holy Land, and his wife Lina, who after a long time of prayer and waiting for the gift of a child, were finally blessed with two (!) – the twins, John and Nara, born in March 2020, just as the coronavirus was talking hold in the world. Their birth speaks of a brighter future to come. For this we pray.

A Word of Thanks To all who have contributed in so many ways to the making of this book. In a particular way to our 15 contributors from the Holy Land who all found the time to share their reflections for this Lenten book during the busy days of Advent and Christmas! A huge thanks to all the Friends of the Holy Land family, both in the UK and the Holy Land and in a very special way to Peter Rand, for his total commitment to the project from day 1. Finally, both Peter and I would like to express our deepest thanks to Dr Mark Nash, editor and designer, who has worked so hard to transform our late night barrage of email attachments into this beautiful book. It has been a very Spirit-led project, and we entrust the book to the continuing work of the Holy Spirit.

Contents Foreword by Cardinal Vincent Nichols

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Foreword by Archbishop Justin Welby

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Introduction by Peter Rand, Friends of the Holy Land

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Preface by Fr Richard Nesbitt Photos from the Holy Land How to use Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land

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Section One: 15 Poems and Reflections 1. Bethany with Vincenzo Bellomo

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Palm Sunday with Katia Khoury

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3. Temple Tantrum? with Fr Nael Abu Rahmoun

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4. Judas with Husam Wahhab

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5. Beloved Disciple with Habib and Gosayna Karam

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6. Gethsemane with Fr George Kopti

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7. Peter’s Word with Bishop Hosam Naoum

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8. Pontius Pilate with Vera Baboun

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9. Veronica’s Veil with Laila Asfoura

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10. Stabat Mater with Sr Nabila Saleh

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11. Centurion at the Cross with George Sa’adeh

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12. Atonement Hour with Fr Mamdouh AbuSada

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13. Mary of Magdala with Susan Barhoum

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14. Shalom with Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa

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15. Emmaus Bound with Fr Jamal Khader

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Section Two: Simon of Cyrene - Reflection and Invitation

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Section Three: Stations of the Cross

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Friends of the Holy Land Prayer

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More Photos from the Holy Land

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Foreword

Cardinal Vincent Nichols This is a book rooted in the story of Holy Week. In the days of that most sacred week, we walk in Christ’s footsteps to Calvary and then to the garden of Resurrection.

The poems in this book were written in the Holy Week of 2020, a time which I am sure will long remain in our memories. I remember it very vividly, as our country was held in the grip of the first national lockdown prompted by the coronavirus pandemic.

I celebrated the Holy Week liturgies in a near-empty Westminster Cathedral. There was deep sadness and pain at the loss of people being together, but there was also a profound sense of being close to Christ in his suffering and passion and of his being close to us at our time of need.

This book is also deeply rooted in the experience of Christians living today in the Holy Land, the cradle of Christianity. The poems are paired up with reflections from fifteen modern-day contributors, drawn from different Christian denominations. They draw out many points of resonance between the Holy Week experiences of 2000 years ago and their own lives today.

Friends of the Holy Land is a charity with which I have been associated since its beginnings in 2009 and with its work of supporting Christian families and communities struggling to survive in the complex and difficult situation of the Holy Land today.

This book embodies the core aims of the Friends of the Holy Land and I am delighted to recommend it to you as a prayer resource for your journey with Christ through Lent and Eastertide. I hope that it will promote prayer with and for our fellow Christians in the Holy Land and raise urgently needed funds to support initiatives on the ground. Both prayer and practical help make a real difference to the lives of Christians there, helping them to continue their presence as living witnesses of the light and love of our Blessed Lord in the land in which he lived.

With an assurance of my prayers and best wishes,

His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols Archbishop of Westminster

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Foreword

Archbishop Justin Welby Fr Richard Nesbitt has given us a valuable resource with which to reflect more deeply on the Easter story. In a way which draws on the Ignatian tradition, he has imagined himself into the position of actors in the great Easter drama, bringing their feelings alive for us with his simply accessible poems. These may serve to enrich our appreciation of the Bible passages, which, for some people, can lose their immediacy through repetition. The Scriptural texts, Fr Richard’s poems and the reflections from residents of the Holy Land combine powerfully to make vivid the physical reality of the extraordinary Easter narratives, which are so foundational to our common faith. We are reminded, especially in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, of the desperate needs of our brothers and sisters today in the Holy Land. It is my hope that this book will not only assist them financially through the proceeds from its sales but also serve as a welcome reminder that they are never forgotten by those of us whose circumstances are more comfortable.

We are, indissolubly, one in Christ.

The Most Revd and Rt Hon. Justin Welby

Archbishop of Canterbury

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Introduction Mr Peter Rand

Peter (far right), pictured in Nazareth with FHL supporters.

May I firstly thank Fr Richard as the author and instigator of this Prayer Resource, for the opportunity to work alongside him on this publication.

Friends of the Holy Land has the mission to help preserve a Christian presence in the Holy Land. Our four objectives are to increase awareness of the challenges of the Christian minority, to encourage prayer, to provide practical support for the most vulnerable and to promote pilgrimage.

Returning pilgrims are then more aware.

So, prayer is at the heart of FHL. Once people are aware of the situation, they can pray with greater resolve, so this Prayer Resource, launched for Lent 2021 linking the Scripture story of Holy Week with today’s Living Stones in the Holy Land is immensely valuable. Not only does it offer a Prayer Resource but its distribution across the country will increase awareness of the plight of our Christian brothers and sisters over there and how we all have an obligation to support our Mother Church, both the institutions of the Holy Land and the people.

So what is the focus of Friends of the Holy Land and how did it begin?

The roots go back to 2007 at the time of the first pilgrimage to the Holy Land from the Archdiocese of Birmingham, led by the then Archbishop of Birmingham, now Cardinal Vincent Nichols. On the return journey, he was discussing what could be done over there with Michael Whelan, then Lieutenant in England and Wales of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. The prime responsibility of the worldwide Order is to support the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem but it was believed that a grass roots organisation was needed to offer support to the most needy Christians across the West Bank, Gaza, Israel and Jordan. The drive would come from the grass roots of the Catholic Church over here in parishes with FHL parish groups being set up, based on the SVP model. So a Charity was registered, trustees appointed and the Patriarch visited in viii

November 2009 to launch FHL at St Chad’s Cathedral in Birmingham and the Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool.

Two years later, following a pilgrimage in the Holy Land led by Archbishop Rowan Williams, the then Archbishop of Canterbury, and discussions with Cardinal Vincent Nichols, it was agreed that FHL would be an excellent opportunity to promote ecumenism, reflecting the support to Christians of any denomination in the Holy Land. In addition to being proudly ecumenical, FHL is non-political, ‘pro-Christian’, rather than pro-Israel or pro-Palestine. Promoting peace and offering advocacy is so important but FHL leaves campaigning to those organisations with a long experience in this challenging field.

Friends of the Holy Land enjoys the support specifically of Anglican and Catholic Bishops and are privileged to have among our Patrons, Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Justin Welby. We have a small office in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, 3 full-time equivalent staff and everyone else in the UK is a volunteer. In the Holy Land, we are one of very few UK charities, perhaps the only one, to have an office and dedicated staff in Bethlehem, working alongside a volunteer Holy Land Committee, with members from the Anglican, Greek Orthodox and Latin community.

Our focus is to identify the most needy Christian families in the community and to support them with a mix of sustainable and emergency help. Sustainable projects are mainly education and employment.

Ensuring as many as possible receive good education increases their likelihood of employment and being able to contribute to the wider local community. Emergency support regularly includes contributing to medical operations, hospital visits, medications, rent, utility bills (to avoid being cut off), emergency house repairs and for the most deprived a regular ‘Family Support’ payment of 500 shekels/month to ensure food is on the table. The demand during COVID has increased immeasurably, when in Bethlehem alone 80% have become unemployed due to their dependence on pilgrimages and tourism, with no government support to see them through.

I feel very privileged to have been asked by Michael Whelan back in 2009 to be his Vice Chair. I visited the Holy Land for the first time, on pilgrimage, in 2010. I have now been on 25 visits for FHL and it has had such a profound impact on my life, my understanding of the Scriptures and the plight of our Christian brothers and sisters, whether in the West

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Bank, Jerusalem, Gaza, Israel or Jordan. I appreciate how fortunate I am and admire the resilience of the Christian community, the strength of their faith and their determination to remain hopeful whatever is thrown at them. It has been a pleasure to work with so many people in the Holy Land and in the UK with one single focus.

Indeed when Fr Richard asked if I could identify 15 people in the Holy Land as contributors to the Reflections for this publication, I felt spoilt for choice. I have made so many wonderful connections and friendships.

However, I felt it important to invite those who represented the depth and variety of relationships which FHL has built up over the last 10 years.

So, I approached those from the main Christian denominations in the Holy Land, a mixture of male/female, clergy/religious/laity and from the different regions where we work.

If anyone reading this book is inspired to join our mission to preserve Christianity in the land where Our Lord was born, ministered, died and was resurrected, please contact me.

God bless you all.

Mr Peter Rand MBE KSG

Vice Chair and Executive Trustee, Friends of the Holy Land

peter.rand@friendsoftheholyland.org.uk

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Preface

Fr Richard Nesbitt Holy Week, in our Christian tradition, is the week to which all other weeks of the year lead. In his Passion, Death and Resurrection Jesus graphically and gloriously reveals the fullness of God’s love for us and so gives the model of unconditional self-giving and service, sacrifice and compassion which is to be the pattern of our Christian discipleship. In a parish community, Holy Week is ‘divine drama’ in which day by day we make present in symbols, signs and sacraments Jesus’ redeeming acts of 2000 years ago. Holy Week has a special place in my own heart for it was at the Easter Vigil on 2 April 1994 that I was received into the Church, celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation, at the grand old age of 28 while living and working in Poland. After that night nothing in my life was ever the same again, just as everything changed for the first disciples on the first Easter morning.

I was surrounded and supported that night by the parish community of the little church of Święty Marcin (St Martin’s) in Wrocław, Poland’s fourth largest city. As the beautiful African saying goes, ‘It takes a whole village to raise a child,’ and so it was that this parish community had loved me to God, patiently and lovingly sharing with me over a number of years their own faith and all that the Church meant for them. As I entered deeper into my own relationship with God, and became more and more involved in the life of St Martin’s parish, I gradually began to sense that God was calling me to the priesthood – something I would never have imagined earlier in my life!

After 10 life-changing years in Poland, this led me back to England in 2001, where I entered Allen Hall seminary in London. There was a 3-year cycle in the seminary of celebrating Holy Week in Westminster Cathedral, a parish in the diocese and then in the seminary itself. Each one of these Holy Week experiences deepened my understanding and gratitude to God for all that Jesus had done for us in those climactic days in Jerusalem. After my xi

ordination to the priesthood in 2007, I was sent to serve as the assistant priest in the beautiful parish of St Joseph’s in Hanwell, West London. Here I was able to experience the great honour and joy through the parish RCIA programme of helping other adults to know and follow Christ, and be received into the Church at the Easter Vigil, just as I had been all those years earlier in Poland.

Since 2013 I have been parish priest at Our Lady of Fatima church in White City, again in West London. This is a wonderfully vibrant, faithfilled, multi-cultural, salt-of-the-earth parish community at the heart of one of London’s largest social housing estates. Holy Week is very much the “mountain top” to which our shared annual journey with and to Christ leads. We always begin on Palm Sunday with a procession around the estate with our Anglican neighbours from St Michael and St George church, enthusiastically waving our palms and singing ‘Hosanna to the King of Kings’ as loud and as joyfully as we can, before entering into our church to begin the Holy Week liturgies. The solemn reading of the Passion of Christ, the simple but for me always incredibly moving washing of twelve parishioners’ feet on Holy Thursday, followed by the Mass of the Last Supper and time of vigil before the Blessed Sacrament in our very own White City version of the Garden of Gethsemane. Then the stark and raw drama of Good Friday – Stations of the Cross in the morning and the Veneration of the Cross at ‘the ninth hour’ - 3pm, the hour our Saviour died for us. This is perhaps the best attended liturgy of the whole year – standing room only – in which people are held, as it were, beneath the Cross, with its mixture of desolation and pure outpouring of God’s love.

Holy Saturday – a day of preparation in readiness for the drama of the Easter Vigil after darkness has fallen on the Saturday evening. The blazing bonfire outside the front of the church from which the Paschal Candle is lit and then carried into the pitch-black church where Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead is passionately proclaimed with the words ‘Lumen Christi’ (the Light of Christ) as the parishioners follow its glow and then pass its flame from one to another with their own candles, transforming the darkness into brilliant light within a matter of moments. Then the singing of the Easter ‘Exsultet’, the epic series of readings taking us on a journey from the dawn of creation to Jesus’ triumphant rising from the tomb, and the joy of Baptisms, Confirmations and First Holy Communions for our adult catechumens and candidates. Christ is Risen, Allelujah!

And then came 2020. We had started our Lenten journey in late February

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under the ever growing cloud of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping across the world. A virus which had seemed a distant threat in January was by now amongst us here in London and taking lives, as it was in so many other countries around the world. We just managed to celebrate St Patrick’s Day on Tuesday 17 March and then the national lockdown began, in which most public venues, including all places of worship, were closed down as people were told in the strongest of terms to ‘Stay at home to save lives and protect the NHS.’ Who could have imagined even just a few weeks earlier that our whole pattern of national and local life would be so totally turned on its head.

As Jesus had himself witnessed 2000 years before, people responded to this time of crisis with both acts of great kindness and also with acts of great selfishness. We saw the best and the worst of humanity. The whole landscape of our lives changed almost overnight as this ‘new normal’ descended upon us like a deep fog. But very soon, as our political and scientific leaders grappled with the best policies to combat the spread of the virus, ordinary people began to adjust to the new challenges and spontaneously seek out ways to support others, to be good neighbours to the most vulnerable amongst us, so that together we could make it through this dark night. For ten successive Thursday evenings at 8pm we came out of our homes for a shared ‘Clap for Carers’ – saluting the heroic, life-saving service of our NHS and other key workers. It soon became clear that hospitals and care homes were being pushed to breaking point, and thousands were dying, with their families often unable to be with them in their final days and hours.

And so it was, in what was in hindsight the darkest days of this ‘first wave’ of the pandemic here in England, that we reached Holy Week in the second week of April. No processions, no feet to wash, no standing room only, no baptisms to celebrate. It was a Holy Week like none before it, nor, I pray, like any other to come in the future. Our parish community, like faith communities across the country and beyond, was unable to gather together physically, unable at a time of such spiritual need to hold on to each other and to Christ in all the familiar ways. We did our best through the gift of technology to livestream the principal celebrations of Holy Week and I know that this was a source of great comfort and unity for many. But even so, none of that ‘hands-on’ physicality of Holy Week.

And yet, looking back, I can honestly say that it was one of the most profound Holy Week experiences of my life. Stripped of all the usual xiii

busyness and daily list of ‘things to be done’, I spent long hours in the silent church, doors locked and with hardly a living soul on the deep lockdown streets outside. I found myself day by day being drawn closer and closer to Christ. Through the timeless power of the Holy Week Scripture readings, I followed Our Lord in my heart and imagination step by step on his original journey from Bethany to Calvary, and then on to his Resurrection appearances. Somehow the stillness and silence, the hours and hours of time I had just to ‘be’ with Jesus, suddenly resulted in… poetry! Words, phrases, images were pouring into my mind and one by one the poems which you find in this volume took form. Some of the poems describe a particular event in the Holy Week journey, such as Jesus’ Palm Sunday entrance into Jerusalem or agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, while others are seen through the eyes of key characters in the drama such as Judas, Peter or Pontius Pilate. I must make it clear that the poems offer personal interpretations not theological explanations of these events and experiences.

The final piece in the jigsaw of this book came several months later when I read a powerful article about the experience of the Christian community in Bethlehem during their own lockdown. This put some of our struggles here in England into a totally different perspective. There were no generous government furlough schemes to see people through the catastrophe of the almost total shut-down of the Bethlehem economy in which over 80% of people depend for their employment on pilgrimages and tourism. The Palestinian authorities simply didn’t have the money to offer more than the most basic support. Instead families and individuals had to rely on the support of relatives and their faith communities.

Survival could only come through solidarity.

Reading of their experiences, the idea suddenly came to me that the Holy Week voices in the 15 poems could be brought together with modern day voices from Christian communities across the Holy Land to offer a unique set of reflections on the ways in which Christ’s presence was experienced in these two times of extreme crisis two millennia apart. In our parish here in White City, we have in recent years had some powerful times of contact with the Christian experience in the Holy Land today, beginning with the visit one Advent of an olive-wood craftsmen from Bethlehem, Issa Ghanem, who stayed in the parish and made many friends. Then the visit the following Advent of Peter Rand from Friends of the Holy Land to explain to us the challenges facing Christians today in the land

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of Christ’s birth. Finally, a parish pilgrimage to the Holy Land with over 50 parishioners in which we not only walked in Christ’s footsteps, but also made contacts with members of the Christian communities in Nazareth and Bethlehem, as well as a very moving meeting with the Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem. All of this opened our hearts and minds to the severe and ever-worsening challenges faced by Christians today in the Holy Land.

I sent an email to Peter Rand at Friends of the Holy Land, doing my best to sketch out how I thought the project could work, and within just a few hours Peter had replied with his usual enthusiasm that he was 100% on board and could see how such a book could bring real fruit to both the Christian communities in the Holy Land and readers in other countries.

He drew up a list of 15 possible contributors from different Christian denominations, drawing on relationships which he and the FHL team have built up since their work began in 2009. Each of the 15 were sent one of the poems and asked to use it, and the Gospel passage it described, as an inspiration for their own personal reflection. Within a couple of weeks, the reflections began to come back to us, each one of them, as you will see, distinctive with its own perspective and voice. Time and time again I was moved to see how the writer had clearly received the right poem for them, as it seemed to connect so strongly with their own experience. Clearly the work of the Holy Spirit!

That is the story behind this book. It is very much the product of 2020’s coronavirus pandemic, but I hope and pray that it will prove to be a thought-provoking and faith-strengthening companion to many in the years to come, long after the pandemic is hopefully over, helping them to relate the joys and sorrows, the tests and trials of their own lives to those life-changing, world-changing experiences of the original Holy Week. There is something of Peter and Judas, of Veronica and Mary of Magdala in us all.

And I hope and pray that the modern day voices from the Holy Land will help us all to understand the urgent mission we all share to support the surviving Christian community in the Holy Land. We owe them such a debt of gratitude for their resilience, courage and faith as guardians of Christ’s living presence in his own land today.

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1. Crib, Holy Family church, Gaza; 2. Field Tour of Jerusalem; 3. Mass in Co-cathedral of Latin Patriarchate; 4. Mass in church of Visitation, Zababdeh; 5. Aboud Summer School; 6. Mass in Holy Family church, Gaza

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7. Visit to Daughters of Charity, Gaza; 8. School of Joy; 9. FHL Mothering Sunday; 10. The Wall of Separation; 11. Baby at the church of the Nativity, Bethlehem; 6. FHL Mothering Sunday

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Photos 1-4, 6, 7, 10, 11 Š Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk / Photos 5, 8, 9 and 12 Š Friends of the Holy Land

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How to use Holy Week Voices Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land comprises a collection of 15 poems and 15 personal stories, as well as Scripture passages and questions for reflection. Each of the fifteen chapters takes a look at an aspect of the our Lord Jesus Christ’s passion, death and resurrection.

You are invited to reflect on the richness and variety contained herein as an individual seeking to grow closer to the Lord through meditation on the land of his birth. So too, many people will find great joy in sharing their faith and impressions of Holy Week Voices in a group (whether online via videoconference or in-person). A guide to ‘Using Technology for Online Liturgy, Ministry and Formation’ can be found at: aec.rcaos.org.uk/resources

Individual Meditation Starting on the first week of Lent, and reading one chapter each week, you will conclude your reading of Holy Week Voices around the great feast of Pentecost. It is worth noting that the chapters will maintain their focus on the Passion and Death even in weeks after Easter, if read in this fashion.

Group Faith-sharing In many different dioceses, there are groups which meet regularly to share and study aspects of their faith. If you have not had the opportunity to join such a group, please consider doing so as many affirm the value of growing in both understanding and fellowship through these groups.

For groups which tend to meet for six week periods, we suggest that group sharing focusses on the following six chapters which provide the arc to Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection (though a leader might opt for different chapters) or you might opt to meet weekly from Lent to Pentecost:

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3

4

5

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7

8

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10 11

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2. Palm Sunday; 4. Judas; 6. Gethsemane; 8. Pontius Pilate; 10. Stabat Mater; and 14. Shalom xviii

We would encourage participants/group members to read though the ‘missed’ chapters in between meetings and be ready to share their impressions at the start of their time together.

The Structure of each Chapter Each chapter starts with a poem 1 , you might also wish to start with a simple prayer, perhaps invoking the Holy Spirit, and/or a hymn. This is followed by a passage from Scripture 2 and some questions to prompt your sharing. The third element 3 is the contemporary ‘voice’ from the Holy Land (with a short biography on the contributor 4 ) and then one of a series of paintings created by James Tissot 5 (Brooklyn Museum, NY).

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Other Sections In addition to the principal 15 chapters of Holy Week Voices, you have the opportunity to add your voice. Section Two, Simon of Cyrene, invites you to share your meditations, thoughts and prayers on the story of the man who helped alleviate some of the suffering endured by Jesus on the way to Golgotha (Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21 and Luke 23:26). Section Three offers a parish Stations of the Cross during the time of pandemic which can be used individually or in your parish during Lent.

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Section One

15 Poems and Reflections

Chapter One As with each chapter in Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land, we invite you to reflect in three ways.

1. A poem based on a Scripture passage (this chapter, John 11:1-45) 2. On the Scripture itself with a short reflection and questions

B

3. Then, finally, you are invited to hear and reflect on a story from the Holy Land itself. Chapter 1’s story is offered by Vincenzo Bellomo.

Poem: Bethany BETH – house ANY – of the poor was a village to which Jesus liked to withdraw a commune of kindness and calm after the beatings and baiting the sparring and spurning of Jerusalem.

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And the hearth at the heart of Bethany’s glow is the home of the sisters Martha and Mary carers to their brother Lazarus and any other who knock at the door in trouble, in need the lost and the poor.

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Chapter One

A place where neighbours are noticed time is taken doors left open and love translated into tenderness and action care and compassion.

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No opinion of Lazarus, no word is ever recorded or heard his home is known as the house of his sisters…

This silence, this lack of position is due to his illness his chronic condition.

In a man-made world he depends on his sisters’ care powerless but cherished loved beyond compare.

And loved by Jesus too who found in Lazarus one so pure so innocent, guileless and mild a man in body but with the heart of a child.

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And it was for Lazarus ‘the one Jesus loved’ that he reserved the greatest of miracles a thing as yet unheard.

After four days held in death’s embrace Lazarus would be raised to life the first fruit of saving grace.

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Standing in front of the sealed stone tomb moved, shaken by grief Jesus wept, sobbed and sighed prayed to his Father and cried ‘Take the stone away believe, cast out your doubt believe in my power over death.

Lazarus, come out.’

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A shape, a shuffle in the shadows breaths held, prayers whispered then look, behold 2

Lazarus, still stiffened with cold staggers out into the glare of day still wrapped in grave clothes but moving, breathing brought back to life by the prayer of his Lord.

‘Unbind him’ Jesus proclaims before joyfully embracing his friend again.

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The crowds, some of whom have come to mock the impotence of Jesus now reel in shock the epicentre of an earthquake tremors surge, tempests rage the headline writers clear the front page.

Who is this man?

What can be said?

He can even raise the four-day dead.

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Back home in his sisters’ care Lazarus, restored and released is gifted with life but stripped of peace.

They say he never smiled again haunted, grief-stricken, unconsoled by memories of hell and its unredeemed souls.

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Jesus now walks away from Bethany’s glow the crowds in awe his disciples in tow.

One more battle awaits on the other side of Jerusalem’s gates a battle between heaven and hell between glory and gloom a battle which will lead Jesus to his own stone-cold tomb.

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Scripture: John 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33-45 (ESV) The sisters sent for Jesus, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

Then after this he said to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judea again.’

Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.

Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.’

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’

Jesus wept. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?’

Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ‘Lord, by this time there will be an odour, for he has been dead four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.’

When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out.’ The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’ Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him.

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Reflection on Scripture and the Poem This Prelude to the great events of Holy Week in Jerusalem takes place in a village which is just an hour or two’s walk away but which is such a different world to the intensity and pressure of the Holy City. Bethany’s small, closely-knit community offers Jesus a place of sanctuary, and in the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus an experience of loving hospitality and human friendship. How much the world today needs communities of healing acceptance and tenderness like this.

Questions for Reflection as a group or individually • Can you think of a home/a family/a community which has offered you something of this experience in your own life?

• How could you make your own home more of a place of healing and renewal for others?

• Feel free to share something that struck you from the poem, if you have not done so already.

A Short Prayer Almighty, ever-living God, you gave our Saviour the command to become man and undergo the cross as an example of humility for us all to follow.

We have the lessons of his sufferings: give us also the fellowship of his resurrection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

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Bethany

Vincenzo Bellomo Healing acceptance and tenderness for the living stones of the Holy Land.

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Amidst hundreds of daily difficulties and challenges, we keep the light of hope burning in this tormented land.

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In my daily commitment, I am called to serve the Christian community, in Bethlehem, through the Franciscan Pro Terra Sancta Association. This is a small group of Christians that in their historical presence and resilient strength has maintained, over the years, a strong sense of vocation to serve as guardians of this unique place, where the tenderness of God was incarnated in a small Child of Bethlehem. Amidst hundreds of daily difficulties and challenges, our people welcome pilgrims and make them feel at home; we respond to the daily needs of local people and we keep the celebration of the Eucharist alive in the Holy Places and the light of hope burning in this tormented land.

The small Christian minority in the Holy Land is a heroic presence in the current complex Middle Eastern context. The foundation of this resilience is built above all on family relationships and genuine friendships, like the relationship between Jesus, Lazarus, Martha, and Mary that we read about in the poem. That ‘commune of kindness’ as the poem describes the village of Bethany (which is not too far from Bethlehem), is a very good description for our little community here in Bethlehem. Here we experience a communion of relationships and feelings that teach us how to live and comfort us in the most challenging moments.

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With my work, at the service of the mission of solidarity and Christian charity of the local church, I meet many people who come daily to our listening centre in search of help or to report someone else’s need. These daily encounters are an opportunity for me to immediately respond to a request to serve those who are most vulnerable. At the same time, it also becomes an occasion for seeking friendship, for strengthening a relationship with someone who needs and wants to be with you. The concrete act of solidarity of responding to an urgent medical or social emergency, like the ones we are often experiencing, becomes an opportunity to encourage someone. Here is a concrete example: Layla F. is a mother of three who was betrayed and abandoned by her husband. She did not have any income and did not know how to look after her children. In despair, she tried to commit suicide several times. After a first visit to establish contact with my colleague, the social worker, with a request for a little financial help, Layla became our friend. She felt embraced and welcomed. At our offices, she found a home of solidarity, and in our team, she found the friendly company that she needs to fight against all the difficult challenges presented to her by life: from her kid’s education to medical assistance. She is slowly putting the broken pieces of her life back together.

In this encounter, as in so many others, an act of charity becomes a way to share our presence and closeness

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Daily encounters are an opportunity to serve those who are most vulnerable; an occasion for strengthening a relationship and encouragement.

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with someone in real danger, a way to help and support our brothers and sisters in their time of need. Above all, it is a great human adventure to begin a relationship of friendship and company that warms our hearts and makes us all feel less alone. Taking care of these families and many other Christian families, who by their continuing presence here in Bethlehem, despite all of the challenges, are custodians of the Holy Places, means for me preserving and enhancing our history. A story made of stones, archaeology, and living stones – together it all tells a story which we all belong to.

Biographical note: Vincenzo Bellomo

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Together the stones, archaeology and living stones of the Holy Places comprise a story to which we all belong.

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Vincenzo was born in Mazara del Vallo, in Italy. He studied political science at the University of Palermo and is certified as a special needs teacher.

He has worked in different countries, including Italy and Tunisia in special projects to assist youth against violence and to encourage integration of immigrants. He worked in Kosovo in a peace building initiative between Serbs and Albanians.

From 2006, he has been living and working in Bethlehem at the service of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, as the local Manager of Pro Terra Sancta. Vincenzo is married to Carol Abu Akleh with twins, Antonio and Lea, aged 7 years.

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Jesus Goes in the Evening to Bethany (Jésus va le soir à Béthanie), 1886-1894 James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Brooklyn Museum.

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Chapter Two As with each chapter in Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land, we invite you to reflect in three ways.

1. A poem based on a Scripture passage (this chapter, Matthew 21:1-11) 2. On the Scripture itself with a short reflection and questions 3. Then, finally, you are invited to hear and reflect on a story from the Holy Land itself. Chapter 2’s story is offered by Katia Khoury.

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Poem: Palm Sunday Like the sun rising in the East, from Bethphage and Bethany passing over the Mount of Olives and into Kidron’s Valley, rides the Glory of the Lord fulfilment of Ezekiel and Zechariah’s word the Servant King, carried, it seems, on a litter of palms waving in joyous, outstretched arms.

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Not a Party-planned publicity stunt with security guards mingling with the crowd no trumped-up pageant or pomp, just genuine joy, the people’s champ David’s Son, come home to claim his throne his trampled, shame-faced people to atone.

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The pilgrim path to Jerusalem simmering and surging across the valley defiant chants rebounding psalms resounding, praises singing ‘Hosanna to the Saviour, Hosanna to the King.’

Men stripping off garments to lay on his way future relics of this momentous day.

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Jesus at the centre, now barely seen silent, dignified, pensive, serene royalty dressed down no orb, no cavalry or crown not perched high looking down in grandeur but brought low on a colt, lower still than the donkey on whom he was carried to Bethlehem in his mother’s womb.

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A creature so prophetic and apt the bridle and the bit, the cross on its back humble and poor in its lowly state patient, enduring blasphemies and blows and obedient, even in the face of human hate bearing all burdens, taking on all torments creation’s chosen champion for this parody parade of Imperial pride.

But on the city walls above gaze down non-adoring eyes leaders of the people stained by compromise.

Threatened, stung by this adulation these guardians of the nation eye each other in trepidation and silently plot his extermination.

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Delirium and opprobrium in equilibrium.

Fever pitch frenzy and calculated killing collide at the city’s Eastern gate.

One will consolidate, the other abate.

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OK, so far so good, so great Jesus gentle, meek and mild the Servant King, the sacrificial lamb the Father’s ever obedient child…

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But this Prince of Peace has come to fight to expose falsehood’s tyranny and depose Satan’s villainy not with bullets and bombs force and fire, push comes to shove but with truth, loyalty and love.

To tear down our walls and humble our pride Christ will give himself freely so that we may be reconciled.

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And so… as we enter this Holy Week door where I am, who am I in it all?

Like the crowd, fervent then fickle the disciples, sincere but prey to fear the leaders, self-serving and vengeful the women, constant and close or the colt, generous and faithful?

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Help me, Lord, hear my simple prayer in these most sacred of days that I may stay by your side and learn from your ways.

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11 (ESV) Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them’, and he will send them at once.’

This took place to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet, saying, ‘Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.”’

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them.

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Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest!’ And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, ‘Who is this?’ And the crowds said, ‘This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.’

A Short Reflection on Scripture and the Poem Now the time has come for the epic battle between good and evil – it is for these climactic days that Jesus has been preparing all his earthly life.

And yet he rides into battle not in power and might but in almost comic humility on his lowly colt. His entrance into the Holy City is met by both adulation and envy. There is no going back now. And within just a few days everything will look so different – the adoring crowds will largely turn against him and rather than a rapturous welcome he will be driven out of the city and brutally put to death.

Questions for Reflection as a group or individually • How much of all of this do I recognise within myself?

• Do I honour Jesus with my words but betray him with my actions?

• What are the deepest conflicts in my own soul?

• Feel free to share something that struck you from the poem, if you have not done so already.

A Short Prayer Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Palm Sunday Katia Khoury

I was born in Haiti, yet through God’s grace I found a new life with my Palestinian husband following a pilgrimage to the Holy Land many years ago. Out of personal experience, I can definitely say that visiting the Holy Land and walking in His Footsteps, is the ‘Fifth Gospel’ that enlightens the soul and our faith. Having said that, as a local Christian with a unique background, I must also add that the global pandemic has hurt my heart so deeply.

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The Palm Sunday procession is a great public witness of the ‘pilgrim Church’ which provides a sense of awe and humbling tranquillity.

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First of all, having had the humbling honour of following in the footsteps of Our Lord here in His land for over thirty-five years, I know firsthand of the lost chances that pilgrims are facing today by not being able to come over to the Holy Land; not only physically but also spiritually, and ultimately, the privilege to witness the Holy Land, where our Lord delivered His Message.

For example, the Palm Sunday procession in Jerusalem - a procession that I have had the great pleasure of participating in every year for so long except this year.

For me, the Palm Sunday Procession is the start of Holy Week - the most important week in our Christian Calendar. The first feeling I get as I start the procession at Bethphage is a loss of words at this great public witness of the ‘pilgrim Church’. Then I have a sense of awe, of almost overwhelming faith and humbling tranquillity as I connect the physical essence of the procession with the historically deep meaning of the procession that ends in the Church of St Anne.

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There at that church there is a bitter-sweet feeling, for on the one hand we celebrate the joyful entrance of Our Lord into Jerusalem and into our hearts, yet on the other hand we are sombrely aware of the events that followed from Holy Thursday through to Easter Sunday.

The story of these four days is the great sacrifice of our Lord to save us, even after we had abandoned and denied Him. While walking the path from Bethphage to St Anne’s, one wonders, how has this year been? Have I been faithful and abided by the teachings of our Lord?

Today, as a Christian travel agent, it hurts on an intangible level to see the Holy Land closed.

It hurts me, like other Christians, to see our churches closed and the chance to spread His message suspended. Of all the churches closed, the Basilica of the Nativity and the Holy Sepulchre are the ones that hurt most to any Christian. As if symbolically the start and end of the story of Christ in the Holy Land are taken out of our daily lives.

Seeing both churches closed and empty of the faithful makes my heart cringe in pain as these churches are the most prolific and tangible churches to help us connect spirit and matter; the connecting dots between our faith, and our human need for tangible proof, as much as possible.

I have seen so many times how people’s lives can be changed forever when they come as pilgrims to the Holy Land. For example, one of my most striking memories dates a decade ago. A Mexican family of four

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I have seen so many times how people’s lives can be changed when they come as pilgrims to the Holy Land.

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The experience of pilgrimage can give people the proof of faith that they so badly need.

were touring privately the Holy Land. As the pilgrimage progressed, the father of the family, Juan, was undergoing a spiritual awakening through the overpowering serenity and holiness of the churches, as if gaining the tangible proof he needed most in his faith. As I welcomed the family to Jerusalem, Juan asked me a question; ‘Why do you believe in Christ?’ Over a cup of coffee, I explained that I believe not only due to what we can call ‘traditional faith’, but also due to powerful personal experiences. I talked about the life-changing events I saw in my pilgrims, such as the handicapped and terminally ill pilgrims that come not for a life-saving miracle, but for reconciliation between their life and their faith. I talked about my troubled pregnancy with my second son, the enduring physical pain and the threat to my life that the doctors relentlessly pointed out, and yet he is alive and healthy today. I talked to Juan as a fellow human who has witnessed and continues to witness God’s grandeur and glory in the Holy Land. At the end, Juan asked me to set up a meeting with a priest to renew his baptism. For this person, as for so many others, the experience of pilgrimage gave him the opportunity to gain the metaphysical proof of faith he so badly needed.

So this is why my heart breaks at this time of human suffering. Firstly, like so many local Christians, we depend on tourism financially for our livelihood and survival in the future. The loss of the fragile trickle-down economics of pilgrimages is hurting greatly local Christians as the pandemic has suspended our work, and the future is looking bleak. We are a minority that is well educated and skilled at finding work abroad, but we belong to this land.

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The longer this pandemic holds out, the darker the future for Christians looks in the Holy Land.

And secondly, as I have explained, it is heartbreaking for me that people from all over the world are not able to come and encounter Christ in His land. I pray that the day will soon come when we will be able to welcome back our dear pilgrims and walk with them again. And I pray that I will once again be able to take my place in the Palm Sunday procession from Bethphage to St Anne’s.

Biographical note: Katia Khoury

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I pray that the day will soon come when we will be able to welcome back our dear pilgrims and walk with them again.

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Katia Khoury is a quad-lingual, ethnic Palestinian. Haitian by nationality, Katia grew up in Haiti and attended school at the Sisters of St Rose de Lima in Port-au-Prince, graduating from the US with a CPA degree. In 1985, she married her Palestinian born-and-raised husband, and moved to Jerusalem where she and her husband established a career in tourism. Together they have three children. Over the years in her career in tourism, Katia has found a calling in helping fellow Christians travel to the Holy Land professionally from Latin America and France. She has also taken on a role in the education of underprivileged children in the Gaza strip at the Rosary High school, as well as helping the St Vincent Orphanage in Bethlehem.

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The Procession in the Streets of Jerusalem (Le cortège dans les rues de JÊrusalem), 1886-1894 James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Brooklyn Museum.

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Chapter Three As with each chapter in Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land, we invite you to reflect in three ways.

1. A poem based on a Scripture passage (this chapter, Matthew 21:12-17) 2. On the Scripture itself with a short reflection and questions

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3. Then, finally, you are invited to hear and reflect on a story from the Holy Land itself. Chapter 3’s story is by Fr Nael Abu Rahmoun.

Poem: Temple Tantrum?

Anger has its trigger, its spark in different corners of the human heart sometimes forged in fear turning defence into attack or guilt, lashing out to disguise a conscience burdened and racked.

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But what filled Jesus’ heart with rage on that Monday morning Temple rampage?

Surely it was grief, gut-wrenching grief for the betrayal and desecration of his Father’s house from a beacon for all nations to a defiled den of abuse and exploitation.

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Chapter Three

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Entering into the Temple’s outer ring, the Courtyard of the Gentiles, a meeting place for all peoples to encounter God’s mystery, power and peace, Jesus found instead, as he knew he would, a cacophony of business deals, bullying and greed a house no longer of God where the terrestrial and celestial meet but a trading floor where merchants trick and cheat.

See the cascade of coins and scales the toppling of stalls and tables hear the snorting, bleating and squawking of cattle, pigeons and sheep untethered and scattering for life arms raised, some outraged, some entranced as Jesus, whip in hand, whirls about in a frenetic dance of purification and provocation a declaration of intent the restoration of sanctification.

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What is the lesson of this whipped up commotion?

What lies behind the chaos and raw emotion?

Holy ground reduced to so very much less a place of welcome, of prayer profaned leaders in faith blinded by lust for profit gained Yes, all of this but so, so much more‌ Jesus, the lamb, like the birds and beasts comes to the altar, destined to die but at his death a new Temple will rise no longer of stone but of flesh and bone His Body will become the new sacrifice.

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A fault line cracking through the bedrock brooding storm clouds brewing darkness veiling the sanctuary lamp hatred and rage fueling murderous thoughts and plots bellowing like black smoke from torched ruins night is drawing in evil is sharpening its knife Jesus has sealed his fate as he kneels in prayer on the edge of life.

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Scripture: Matthew 21:12-17 (ESV) Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, ‘It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer”, but you make it a den of robbers.’

And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Yes; have you never read, ‘“Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise”?’

And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.

A Short Reflection on Scripture and the Poem After the restrained serenity of his entrance into Jerusalem, it perhaps comes as a real surprise to see Jesus whipped up into such a tempest of passion and anger in the Temple. The poem offers one explanation, but what do you think was the deepest cause of this anger in him?

Questions for Reflection as a group or individually • How could you connect this to your own life today?

• If Jesus were to enter into the Temple of your life what would he turn upside down and drive out?

• Feel free to share something that struck you from the poem, if you have not done so already.

A Short Prayer Almighty God, grant that we who are constantly betrayed by our own weakness may draw breath of new life from the passion and death of your Only-Begotten Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Temple Tantrum?

Fr Nael Abu Rahmoun

When you live and serve in the city of the Annunciation, you cannot avoid reflecting on the Blessed Virgin Mary and the spirituality of Nazareth where the Word became flesh.

Mary, as the first disciple of her Son the Lord Jesus Christ, is the best example and model of faith, humility and obedience.

I’ll come back later to focus on Mary’s attitude and interaction with God’s Call.

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They had got used to the Temple, to the rites of sacrifices. They had lost their passion in waiting for the coming of the Messiah.

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Let us now think and reflect on Matthew 21:12-17 and try to understand the mentality and the reason for the Jews’ behaviour and for Jesus’ behaviour. They were selling and buying in the temple, which caused Jesus anger, so He drove them out. What was wrong with them?

They had simply got used to the temple, to the rites of sacrifices; they hadn’t only lost the spirit of the Scriptures but they had also lost their spirituality and passion in waiting for the coming of the Messiah. They had lost their eyes of faith to see and their hearts to feel and recognize the presence of God. They were hopeless. They didn’t accept Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah, as he was very different from the Messiah they expected!

Our generation is quite similar in the issue of indifference: people are careless - who knows what they are interested in? Maybe their own business... Jesus said: ‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ (Matthew 22

11:16-17). People are far away from the Lord and His Church, but Jesus continually invites us to conversion and to renew our faith and follow Him. Do we listen to His voice or ignore it, or are we even able to recognize the Voice? Let’s keep in mind this question: ‘When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’ (Luke 18. 8) We have got used to the love and mercy of God, got used to the Gospel message, got used to the Church and to the sacraments and we have got used to the grace of the Lord. We need so badly for the Lord Jesus to turn our water into good wine. We need Mary to say: ‘They have no wine’ (John 2:3), so that we may rediscover God’s infinite love and feel His presence everywhere and always.

The chief priests and the scribes and the Pharisees became angry when they heard the children crying out and praising Jesus the Lord.

Mary was very different. She knew how to feel and react properly in front of God and His messenger, she knew how to be alive to God’s message and call. Mary was surprised, shocked, filled with wonder and perplexed by the Angel Gabriel’s words.

This experience of Jesus in the Temple is an invitation for me and you to be a good and real disciple like Mary, and be gladly surprised and filled with wonder by what God is doing in our lives and in the Church’s witness and mission. And to care for the Church and respect its ministry and presence. Then we can repeat the words of Jesus in the Temple: ‘My house shall be called a house of 23

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We are invited to be good and real disciples. To be surprised and filled with joy by what God is doing in our lives.

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We are invited to renew our faith and serve His Kingdom on earth. In imitation of Mary, let’s say: ‘Here I am!’

prayer; but you are making it a den of robbers.’

(Matthew 21:13).

You and me are invited to renew our faith and have passion to follow the Lord and to serve His Kingdom on earth. Let us say, in imitation of Mary: ‘Here I am!’

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Biographical note: Fr Nael Abu Rahmoun Fr Nael was born in Reineh next to Nazareth in December 1978 and was educated by the Salesians before studying for degrees in Philosophy and Theology at the Angelicum in Rome between 1999 and 2004. He was ordained deacon in 2005 and as priest one year later at St George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem before serving in the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem in the towns of Ramallah, Birzeit and Zababdeh. In 2013, he moved to Nazareth with his wife Mira and daughter Clara, and on 8 September was installed as the Rector of Christ Church Parish. Fr Nael has also undertaken further study at NEC Nazareth in Leadership and Christian Ministry and has been heavily involved in youth development initiatives across the Diocese.

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The Merchants Chased from the Temple (Les vendeurs chassĂŠs du Temple), 1886-1894 James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Brooklyn Museum.

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Chapter Four As with each chapter in Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land, we invite you to reflect in three ways.

1. A poem based on a Scripture passage (this chapter, Mark 3:13-19) 2. On the Scripture itself with a short reflection and questions

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3. Then, finally, you are invited to hear and reflect on a story from the Holy Land itself. Chapter 4’s story is given by Husam Wahhab.

Poem: Judas I was always the odd one out of the twelve – the last to be called and usually the first to doubt the only one from the South the political one, the agitator responsible for the common purse the entrusted treasurer but rarely asked to preach or heal.

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Yes, it is true, I have taken money from the large offerings sometimes given but never for my own riotous living instead for the cause preparations for rebellion the weapons and provisions.

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But Jesus, you speak of peace of forgiveness and reconciliation not uprising or liberation.

Given a hero’s welcome to Jerusalem acclaimed a king Son of David the warrior Lord with thousands of pilgrims only awaiting your word to turn their palm branches into swords 26

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you aimed your anger not at our oppressors but at the Temple merchants and traders.

Why fight your own people while the Romans keep us enslaved?

Why insult our Temple leaders while our enemies continue their depraved destruction of our nation?

Lining our roads and public places with crucified corpses of men, sometimes boys, stripped and nailed to crosses left for the vultures and crows.

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And the final straw the woman covering your feet with pure nard, the most precious of oils then drying them with her unloosened hair money wasted, dignity despoiled, perfumed buffoonery veiling the stench of missed opportunity.

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Jesus, no one can move the crowd like you heal the sick, calm the storm multiply bread, even raise the dead.

Your power is from beyond this world no question, no doubt but in this time for simple slogans you waste it all on cryptic teaching on long nights of incessant prayer and concern for the waifs and strays while your nation lies bleeding.

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Enough is enough.

This is the moment.

This is the time.

This Messiah needs taming or shaming to become Judah’s lion I will use my closeness to you and my true loyalty declare by handing you over to the Sanhedrin’s care.

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Just don’t look at me with those all-seeing eyes of yours I will work in the darkness plot in the night so that my actions are hidden from your sight.

Forgive me, if I betray your trust but the time has come needs must to make a stand and force your hand.

Scripture: Mark 3:13-19 (ESV) See Luke 22: 1-6; 19-23; 47-48 and John 13: 21-30 Jesus went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

A Short Reflection on Scripture and the Poem How can we understand Judas’ betrayal of Jesus after all that they had shared together? The poem offers some possible explanations – in Judas’ character a feeling or complex of being the outsider amongst the disciples, of somehow being overlooked and mistrusted, and in his political self a single-minded commitment to the defeat of his people’s hated Roman oppressors.

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Questions for Reflection as a group or individually • How much sense do these possible explanations make to you?

• And a more personal and challenging question – how do you understand and explain the causes of the ‘betrayals’ which you have been guilty of in your own life - of other people, of yourself, of God…?

• Feel free to share something that struck you from the poem, if you have not done so already.

A Short Prayer Almighty ever-living God, grant us so to celebrate the mysteries of our Lord’s Passion that we may merit to receive your pardon. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Judas

Husam Wahhab I am very pleased to contribute to this resource for those who wish to remember in prayer everyone in the Holy Land, especially the Christian minority of around 2%.

I was born in Bethlehem and have lived here all my life. I am married with my wife (Nancy) and we have 5 wonderful children aged between 5 years and 22 years. My home parish is St Catherine’s, the Latin Church next to the Nativity Grotto and I also worship at the Latin Church in Beit Jala.

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Everyone’s role is important. We need each other and we need each other to do our jobs well and with honesty and integrity.

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I am a Public Accountant with my own Office, and lecture at the Faculty of Business Administration at Bethlehem University. I have been very fortunate to have immersed myself in the Christian community in Bethlehem for many years with Catholic Action (for whom I am President once again!), the Parish Council at St Catherine’s and in the last 10 years as a volunteer Committee Member with Friends of the Holy Land.

When I read Fr Richard’s moving poem about Judas, I wondered why I was allocated that poem?! Am I a traitor?!! I learnt that Judas was given the task of ‘administration’ – the treasurer, not the more glamorous tasks of healing and preaching. Treasurer/accountant – there is my first connection. As an accountant, I am the treasurer! I believe in the importance of that role and the roles of everyone else, whether a tour guide, a restaurant owner, a priest, an olive wood carver or someone working in a factory.

We need each other and we need each person to do their job well, honestly and with integrity.

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I also learnt that perhaps Judas felt that he was the outsider among the other disciples, and was probably the last disciple to have been chosen

by Jesus. So Judas felt he was a victim. Both as Palestinians and as a Christian minority, we can feel victimised but we should be privileged to live in the ‘Land of the Holy One’. Why should we feel we are outsiders when Bethlehem and Jerusalem are at the heart of the Mother Church?

Behind his outward loyalty, there was deep resentment in Judas’ heart – towards Jesus, the other disciples and life in general. Loyalty is something about which I feel very passionate... loyalty to my family and friends, to my Parish Priest, to other parishioners, to the University, Catholic Action and my accountancy clients, to the mission of Friends of the Holy Land, indeed to everyone in my community. By avoiding the temptation to emigrate, amongst all the challenges of life here in Bethlehem, I feel loyal to my Holy Land roots, where I feel so privileged to be living. We must never be resentful of others. It is important that everyone uses their talents for the good of the community and in the service of Christ.

Judas held a very deep political rage. He was a Zealot so his main cause in life was to defeat and drive out the Romans from the Holy Lands. Jesus was not interested in that and this would have frustrated and enraged Judas.

Today, we must put our frustration with the political controversy on one side, believing and trusting in God and what he gives to us. We need to seek strength from the pain. Instead of being noisy, we must

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Behind his outward loyalty, there was deep resentment in the heart of Judas -towards Jesus and the other disciples.

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There are some people who seem to be close to Jesus but with time you learn that it is their will not God’s will that matters most for them.

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quietly do good for others, utilise our talents, pray and influence others to be disciples of God. These difficult months since Covid-19 arrived in the Holy Land have taught me the importance of maintaining our core values, being discreet, open, transparent, loyal, respectful of others – never feeling resentful, victimised, an outsider, and always having hope, trusting in God. At the end of the Gospels, Judas was still calling Jesus ‘Rabbi’ and not ‘Lord’ like the other disciples. Perhaps he never accepted that Jesus was the Son of God, so it seems that he was not as spiritually alive as the other disciples. I think it is the same today – some people seem “on the outside” to be very close to Jesus – they are very often in church, perhaps they are active in the community, but with time and a closer look you learn that they are really filled with their own agenda and plans – it is their will not God’s will that really matters most for them. I think there is something of that in all of us if we are honest.

I take equal pride in my national and religious roots. Being a good Christian has never stopped me being a good Palestinian, and vice-versa. May God give me the strength to remain loyal and see my way forward to being a faithful Disciple.

Biographical note: Husam Wahhab Husam was educated at Terra Santa College in Bethlehem and graduated from Bethlehem University with a BSc in Business Administration. He established his accountancy practice in the City in 1994, after 8 years’ experience in Abu Dhabi and the USA. He lectures in accountancy in the Business Administration Faculty at Bethlehem University and is the accountant or auditor for many local businesses. He is a Board member of the Palestinian Association of Certified Public Accountants, an Examiner for the Board of Auditing Professionals, President of Catholic Action, a member of St Catherine’s Parish Council and a Founder member of the Friends of the Holy Land local Committee.

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Judas Returns the Money (Judas rend l’argent), 1886-1894 James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Brooklyn Museum.

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Chapter Five As with each chapter in Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land, we invite you to reflect in three ways.

1. A poem based on a Scripture passage (this chapter, from John 13 & 15) 2. On the Scripture itself with a short reflection and questions

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3. Then, finally, you are invited to hear and reflect on a story from the Holy Land itself. Chapter 5’s story is by Habib and Gosayna Karam.

Poem: Beloved Disciple Why was I the only one who did not desert or run but stayed loyal to the end who followed you into the torchlit shame of the Sanhedrin’s midnight courtroom game?

And who then stood by the cross as you gasped and fought for life the crowds baying for your blood spitting back hatred in the face of your love?

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Was it the bravado of youth a blindness of faith a misguided infatuation or a misreading of the situation?

No, it was in the heat and the fire of the Upper Room blaze that my loyalty, my love was forged beaten out and heavenwards raised.

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You formed my heart with the work of your hands first washing me clean, tender and kind and then in the breaking of bread and the sharing of wine a new commandment, a new union a covenant transformed, a fresh communion a Passover like I had never known 34

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a new rite, a new dawn.

You opened yourself to the core with words of sacrifice, of service and more of death and life, and eternal rest the heart of the Father, love passionately professed.

My head swirled with the searing heat of it all that room became a furnace, a crucible a timbered tabernacle a nuptial chamber, a place of new birth where the veil between heaven and earth was drawn aside and lifted and God’s glory and humility revealed and gifted.

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I understood some of the things you said others stored up in my heart and my head and then when the banquet was almost done came the moment when I was reborn.

Numbed as you spoke of betrayal and hate I moved to your side, pushed away your plate and lay my head upon your chest no more words, no more just the beating of your heart at rest my own heart slowing and echoing yours your hand on my shoulder your chin on my head you held me and healed me nothing for others to notice, nothing said.

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That moment of grace that oneness of being that sacred embrace is the source of my strength my loyalty and faith.

To share with the world your heart which beats for all that mission, that call whatever the dangers, whatever the fight is the passion of my life my fire blazing bright.

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Scripture: John 13: 1-15; 15: 9-17 (ESV) Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it round his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped round him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, do you wash my feet?’ Jesus answered him, ‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterwards you will understand.’ Peter said to him, ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, ‘Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.’ ... As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

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A Short Reflection on Scripture and the Poem After the chill of Judas’ betrayal we witness the warmth of John’s pure love for Jesus. Looking back some time after the tumultuous events of those climactic days in Jerusalem, John is able to identify the moment when everything connected and crystallised in him – the moment his heart was transformed for ever by Jesus’ own heart beating next to his. Whatever happened to him after that moment in the Upper Room, John would always have the strength of that heartbeat, that absolute love of Jesus to see him through.

Questions for Reflection as a group or individually • Can you think of your own life-changing moment when you have been touched by the tenderness of Jesus or the certainty of his passionate, personal love for you?

• If not, make this your prayer this week.

• Feel free to share something that struck you from the poem, if you have not done so already.

A Short Prayer O God, who willed your Son to submit for our sake to the yoke of the Cross, so that you might drive from us the power of the enemy, grant us, your servants, to attain the grace of the resurrection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, you Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Your purchase of Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land is deeply appreciated. The money raised will fund a mixture of sustainable and immediate relief work in the West Bank, Gaza, Israel and Jordan. A network of lay and clerical professionals, ensures that such support can make the Christian community more resilient in five key areas: Education, Employment, Family support, Health and Housing improvement.

If you came by this book via a friend and have not yet had the chance to offer anything to support this work, please consider making a donation via: https://www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/

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The Beloved Disciple Habib and Gosayna Karam

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Through it all, we will remain loyal.

Loyal to whom?

To our heavenly Father, to our faith, to the call of the Holy Spirit and to our Church.

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Through it all, we were loyal and will remain loyal to the end! Loyal to whom? Loyal to our Heavenly Father, loyal to our faith, loyal to the call of the Holy Spirit, loyal to the teaching of our Catholic Church. What has been this ‘through it all’ you ask?

Well, one was the immigration to new countries and adapting to their new cultures and language. I, Habib Karam, migrated from Nazareth to the United States (1980) in the hope of a better future. I was only 16 years old and had just completed high school. I managed to find work and obtain higher education and begin my career in high tech. Then in 1988, while visiting Nazareth and attending my sister’s wedding, I met Gosayna in the Grotto of the Annunciation. At the time she was living in Australia and had come over to Nazareth to visit her family there. While our extended family immediately thought we were a match, we ignored all family pressures. Then a few days later, at the Church of Primacy by the Lake of Galilee, silence descended between us as our hearts began to signal changes needed in our decision. A few days later on the Feast of the Transfiguration, while attending Mass, it became very clear that it was God’s will that we should be united. It had only been a week and although we did not know each other well, we knew that it was God’s will and we trustingly followed His will despite all challenges. I flew back to the USA and Gosayna returned to Australia. We were apart for two years, but united in Matrimony in July 1990 at the Basilica 38

of the Annunciation in Nazareth, surrounded by 800 family members and friends. We then returned to the USA to begin our married life together.

In 1993, the Lord gifted us with our first son, Akram. Life was full of joy and love. Then on 15 October of that year, we woke up to find that Akram had left us to be united with His heavenly Father (he died of SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Although we did not understand why this had happened, we trusted in the Lord and His will and fully accepted this cross with all the pain and suffering that came with it. On 29 August 1994, Christopher John was born, followed by Matthew John on 20 June 1997, then Serene Therese on 25 November 1999. The Lord was blessing us abundantly! Then, the Lord said: ‘Go Home’. Go Home meant to return to our homeland, Nazareth, Israel. Again, even though there were so many unanswered questions, we sold all we had in the USA, left my employment, and headed home in July 2001. Although we did not know what challenges and difficulties lay ahead of us, knowing that we were following God’s will, we knew we were not alone, and all would be well. To our surprise, the Lord gifted us with another girl, Katrina Therese, born on 7 May 2006, the exact birthdate of her brother in heaven.

Reading the poem ‘The Beloved Disciple’, we recognise in the disciple John’s experience at the Last Supper how his whole life is turned upside down by the personal love of Jesus

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Although we did not understand, we trusted in the Lord and His will with all the pain and suffering that came with it.

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Despite challenges, love changes everything for John. It teaches him how to love others as Jesus loves.

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entering his heart. After he has been touched

by God’s love, his life is never the same again.

Although he will have many challenges and obstacles to face, including situations and callings which at the time he does not clearly understand, he is happy to put all of his life in God’s hands. God’s will and God’s love changes everything for John, and teaches him how to love others as Jesus loves. We feel that this experience of John is reflected very strongly in our lives together.

Life in the Holy Land has its many challenges and difficulties. As Palestinian citizens of Israel, we face many kinds of discrimination including economic, political and educational hardships.

Furthermore, as Christians, we experience discrimination at the religious level. On top of all that, there is no political stability in the region which greatly impacts on our lives.

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Faith lifts us higher than earthly matters as we respond to the call of the Holy Spirit to serve our brothers and sisters in their needs.

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Most people have lost a sense of security and stability, now even more so with COVID 19. Many Christians who worked in tourism are now unemployed and struggling to keep their family going. However, as we live in a community where the term ‘family’ extends to many generations, and as a culture, we have a strong sense of community and do everything we can to serve and support each other. It is the values of giving, sharing, and caring which are sustaining many of the families during this difficult time.

For Gosayna and I, it is our faith that lifts us higher than these difficult earthly matters. As residents of the Holy Land, we try to live our faith in our daily actions and words. We live the teachings of the Beatitudes as we respond to the call of the Holy Spirit to serve our brothers and sisters in their needs. We follow, like John the Beloved Disciple, wherever the Lord leads.

Although we live in a land of no political peace, we are at peace in our lives.

Biographical note: Habib and Gosayna Karam Habib was born and raised in Nazareth, two blocks away from where the Holy Family lived. After high school he moved to Los Angeles where he graduated from university, worked for 21 years, with his wife Gosayna, whom he married in Nazareth in 1990. They began to raise a family in the USA, before returning to live in Nazareth, proud parents of five children – Akram, ‘flying in heaven’; Christopher, ‘with a great heart’; Matthew, ‘with a brilliant mind’; Serene, ‘with a lively soul’ and Katrina, ‘with an independent spirit’! Habib works in a high-tech company and Gosayna at a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation. Habib was the Founder President of the Nazareth Circle of the Catenian Association and is a key partner to FHL in Nazareth.

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The Last Sermon of Our Lord (Dernier Sermon de Notre-Seigneur), 1886-1894 James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Brooklyn Museum.

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Chapter Six As with each chapter in Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land, we invite you to reflect in three ways.

1. A poem based on a Scripture passage (this chapter, from Luke 22) 2. On the Scripture itself with a short reflection and questions

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3. Then, finally, you are invited to hear and reflect on a story from the Holy Land itself. Chapter 6’s story is by Fr George Kopti.

Poem: Gethsemane From the heat and fire of the Upper Room Jesus sets out for the moonlit cool of a garden, a favourite haunt, with olive trees, gnarled like lepers’ limbs Gethsemane – ‘oil press’ in Aramaic to spend one last hour in prayer before darkness descends himself pressed and near crushed by the breath of death enveloping him like a coastal fog rolling in to conquer the land.

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The first watch - visions of hell on earth the depths of depravity the horrors of humanity atrocities and persecutions 43

Chapter Six

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He asks Peter, James and John his most trusted men to be his sentries praying with him and for him and for themselves not to be put to the test but they slumber and doze in the seeming stillness of the night Jesus alone remains awake and alert seized by sadness and anguish a stone’s throw away from them all.

mutilations and massacres cold-blooded torture and executions abattoirs of innocence babies dumped on rubbish heaps children betrayed and abused mothers raped and dignity defaced obscene wealth and poverty’s rags smoke-choked skies flaming the sun’s rays scarlet birds of paradise bludgeoned in a bag.

Evil sneering and leering mocking Jesus in his human weakness.

Can you really drink this poisoned cup and disarm the weapons of darkness?

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The second watch - the reality of death, his death not just the forensic details of it all – his flesh shredded by scourging the jagged edge of the cross burning through his muscle and sinews the whipping and stripping the cacophony of rejection and venom the hammering of nails through his arteries and bones the shuddering jolt of the cross in its standing and the slow asphyxiation there hanging…

Yes, he will die, but in what state of soul?

Obedient and trusting gracious and forgiving or resentful and vengeful hate-filled and despairing?

His whole life’s legacy at stake gambled on a single throw of the dice.

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Seeds of doubt sown by the evil one accusations and condemnations drops of sweated blood soak the garden floor his blood vessels bursting with the pressure the nearness, the nowness of it all.

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The third watch - prayer beating back evil’s attack.

Loosening himself from the tempter’s stranglehold thrusting upwards from the murky depths breaking through the surface gasping for air oxygen reaching his lungs at last emerging as from a womb and then as on his baptismal day the voice of the Father resounds in his head “You are my beloved in you I find delight.”

Sonship restored trust, surrender, obedience once more ‘Not my will but yours.’

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Nudging the dozing disciples awake Jesus kneels down and softly says ‘Get up, be ready - the hour has come for the Son of Man to be betrayed and the Shepherd’s flock struck scattered and strayed.’

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Then the silence and stillness of night is broken by a shouting shushing mob lighting up the garden’s gloom with lanterns stabbing the air with torches and swords led by Judas come to claim his reward Jesus steps forward in the smoke-filled mist to be seized and sold by the sign of a kiss.

Scripture: Luke 22:39-48 (ESV) Jesus came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you may not enter into temptation.’ And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.’ And there appeared to him an angel from 45

heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.’

While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?’

Reflection on Scripture and the Poem (see also Matthew 26:36-50)

In the Garden of Gethsemane we have a privileged glimpse into Jesus’ extreme personal struggle to complete this journey which he knows he must walk. The poem tries to come close to Jesus in his hour of anguish and imagine the interior battles and spiritual warfare he was engaged in during the darkness and gloom of that night, cut off from his dozing disciples. It is a scene which takes us right back to his trials and temptations with Satan in the wilderness after his baptism.

Questions for Reflection as a group or individually • Does the poem help you to feel closer to Jesus during this time of struggle?

• Can you think of a time when you have felt lost in your own Gethsemane experience?

• Feel free to share something that struck you from the poem, if you have not done so already.

A short prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come.

Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer ‘is truly the summary of the whole gospel... the foundation of further desires.’ - Tertullian 46

Gethsemane

Rev George Jabra Al-Kopti ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter. ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Mt 26:40-41 My wife, Mary, and have been serving in St Paul’s since 2013. Among the last 7 years, the year 2020 has uniquely been filled with both challenges and opportunities.

The Covid-19 lockdown started in midMarch 2020. All of a sudden we found ourselves living a very different life-style to what we are accustomed to. Our very social life-style changed to be as if we are living in a big prison. However, we are blessed to have the Old Women’s Home in the church compound, and while keeping the social distancing rules, we managed to keep visiting and praying with them.

Reflecting back on March, the first week of the lockdown was full of frustration, more sleeping and eating than usual! Not so healthy though. I struggled as I was faced not only with my own fear and anxiety, but as well with the anxieties of those who I want to serve and guide. Yet, the Lord was there, His gracious hand was stretched out to me, comforting and guiding me, and opening my eyes to see Him wanting to work and be glorified among us.

I decided that I needed to go back to my normal daily schedule. I set my alarm for 6am every morning, had my quiet time and meditation. The Lord led me to start sending church members a daily meditation and prayer requests in order to encourage and console them in their situation.

My focus was to encourage them to read the 47

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The Lord was there, his gracious hand stretched out to me, as I struggled not only with my own anxieties but the anxieties of those who I want to serve and guide.

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While I was finding ways to meet the spiritual needs of the congregation, the financial needs were growing. The need is still there, and the Lord is still providing!

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Bible daily, and meditate upon the passage and a Psalm chosen for that day. I felt the importance of this daily ‘duty’ when I started receiving messages (and sometimes phone calls) from people from the congregation if it happened that it is 8am and I had not sent the readings and meditation yet. That gave me an indication that people were thirsty and hungry for God’s word. I continue to do that every morning till today.

While I was finding ways to partly meet the spiritual needs of the congregation, the financial needs were growing. Most of my parish are lowincome families, employed in the private sector, and mostly refugee families from Iraq. Those families found themselves without any income and very quickly their savings (if any) started to vanish. At that point I felt the heaviness of my duty to provide for these people. We started praying for God’s provision and as always, God is faithful! He provided! We managed to help around 120 families, with around 300 food parcels given away, all that was just during the first three months of the total and partial lockdown. The need is still there, and the Lord is still providing!

We have received help from friends in and outside Jordan.

When we declared our fragility and weakness, and when we asked God’s will and provision, God was gracious to us. We received help from people whom we never expected to help us.

People who could not send us money because banks were closed, arranged to send us fresh vegetables and chicken, vendors we deal with were patient, they agreed to deliver 48

to the church piles of goods to be distributed to people and postpone the payments until money arrives, or until we were able to withdraw money from the bank to pay them.

I was stunned with God’s love. In the beginning I was like the disciples in Gethsemane - weak, sleepy, tired and confused. However, when I surrendered all to God’s will, as Jesus does in Gethsemane, God surprised me and my church in amazing ways. He showed me His power to bring new life out of the deepest suffering.

When Easter time arrived and I had to celebrate it with empty seats, the Risen Lord who came through locked doors and walls to comfort His disciples in their distress, also blessed us with His presence among us, not only in the church, but in our homes as well. As I shared with my congregation: Christ is Risen, and if you cannot come to worship Him in the church, He will come to you in your home - to comfort and encourage you.

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Christ is Risen, if you cannot come to worship Him in the church, he will come to you, to comfort and encourage you.

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We, the Christians of the Holy Land, are the children of the Resurrection. The Risen Christ has been faithful and gracious to us at this difficult time, and He will be forever and ever.

Biographical note: Fr George Kopti Fr George Kopti was born in 1974 and raised in Zarka City in Jordan where he attended High School. He graduated with BTh from the Near East School of Theology in Beirut in 1998 and was ordained a priest in 2001. He obtained both a Masters in Divinity from the Near East School of Theology in 2010 and a MTh from Otago University, New Zealand in 2019, where his thesis was on Christian/Muslim Early relations. He has served in parishes in the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem, in Amman and Ashrafieh in Jordan, Ramallah and Beirzit in Palestine, Beirut in Lebanon and supervised ministry in Damascus, Syria. He has published articles (mostly in Arabic) in church periodicals and books and teaches Anglicanism and Christian/Muslim relations at the Ecumenical Institute of the Middle East.

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The Grotto of the Agony (La Grotte de l’agonie), 1886-1894 James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Brooklyn Museum.

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Chapter Seven As with each chapter in Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land, we invite you to reflect in three ways.

1. A poem based on a Scripture passage (this chapter, from Luke 22) 2. On the Scripture itself with a short reflection and questions

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3. Then, finally, you are invited to hear and reflect on a story from the Holy Land itself. Chapter Seven’s story is offered by the next Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem, the Rt Rev. Dr Hosam Naoum.

Poem: Peter’s Word Jesus was right, again, when he said: Peter, there is a word that you use which reveals the path you must tread a little word, a nothing word it seems but (there it is) a word which screams of denial, betrayal, resistance and pride a word behind which excuses can hide.

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‘I will die for you’ I heroically cried at tonight’s Passover feast, safe by your side but then in the garden I slumbered and slept while you sweated blood and bitterly wept then the torches and soldiers, chaos and swords betrayed by a kiss, friendship’s reward I followed to the palace but dared not go in too scared, too anxious to save my own skin.

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Chapter Seven

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We have come so far and shared so much, I have witnessed the power of your word, of your touch walked on water, ridden the storm seen lepers healed and the dead reborn but still I doubt and question your ways remonstrate that there must be easier paths to take.

Only this week - why ride on a donkey so humble and meek and then in the holy Temple such havoc reek?

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Then the girl’s question, my panic and lie she replied: ‘Your accent betrays you You are one of his men.’

‘But I tell you I don’t know him,’ I shouted again.

I moved to the shadows, away from the flames hiding my tears, my meltdown, my shame.

‘No, I’ve seen you together, certain I am.’

So I cursed and swore ‘But I do not know the man.’

I weep, I wretch with guilt and pain I too have betrayed you Lord, blasphemed against your name three times the cock crew just as you said, just as you knew.

We have come so far and shared so much now I would give it all for the warmth of your touch a healing word for me, your hands to raise me up bread broken together, a shared communion cup.

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Suddenly, haloed in torchlight you came beaten and bloodied, bound like a lamb and across the courtyard’s smoke-filled haze you seemed to search for me with a merciful gaze no if’s no but’s, just a look of pure grace was that meant for me, Lord, my sin to erase?

Jesus, I beg you, on my knees I implore you have forgiven so many, please forgive one more.

Scripture: Luke 22:31-34, 54-62 (ESV) ‘Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.’ Peter said to him, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.’ Jesus said, ‘I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.’

Then they seized Jesus and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter 52

sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, ‘This man also was with him.’ But he denied it, saying, ‘Woman, I do not know him.’ And a little later someone else saw him and said, ‘You also are one of them.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I am not.’ And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, ‘Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.’

But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about.’ And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.

Reflection on Scripture and the Poem (see also Mark 14: 27-31; 66-72)

Having reflected on the betrayal by Judas and on John’s loyalty, we return to betrayal - this time by Peter. The poem tries to show that this did not just come out of nowhere but was like a seemingly small crack in a rockface which suddenly, under tremendous pressure, fractured and split apart the whole mass of rock. This causes a catastrophic landslide, an almost complete meltdown in Peter.

Questions for Reflection as a group or individually • What is it, do you think, which allows Peter to pull back from the edge of despair unlike Judas?

• Does Peter’s experience in any way connect with an experience in your own life?

A short prayer Lord, you forgave and restored Peter, who denied he ever knew you; you forgave and restored your friends who fled away when you most needed them. Save us from the sin of Judas, of thinking that our thoughts and actions, however terrible, are too terrible for your forgiveness. All that can keep us from your forgiveness is unrepentance or pride – save us from both, and purify us in the furnace of your love, which throws light on our misdeeds so that we can see ourselves as we truly are, but then burns them up so that we can start forgiven and afresh in your footsteps. Amen.

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Peter’s Word

Rt Rev. Dr Hosam Elias Naoum The poem, ‘Peter’s Word,’ takes us poignantly inside the heart of the leader of the Twelve Apostles, the very rock upon which Jesus was going to build his church (Matt 16:18). But in Peter’s cowardly denials of Jesus, a crack suddenly erupted down the middle of that once proud rock. Fear overpowered Peter’s love of Jesus, leading him to both abandon and disavow his Master.

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So Jesus came to Peter in his weakness.

Knowing he would not pass the test, Jesus held Peter up in prayer, envisioning his repentance and renewal.

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But when the cock abruptly crowed, its shrill sound stabbed at Peter’s heart. In horror, he realized what he had done: he had denied his Lord three times, just as Jesus had predicted only hours before. As the full weight of that betrayal came crashing down upon him, Peter staggered out of the high priestly courtyard, weeping bitterly (Matthew 26:75).

As we have said and as the Gospels record, Jesus knew in advance that all this would happen.

But not only did Jesus foretell Peter’s denials at the Last Supper, he also did something more.

Jesus prayed for Peter: ‘Simon, Simon,’ Jesus said, using the Apostle’s given name, ‘Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat; but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail’ (Luke 22:31-32).

And so Jesus came to Peter in his weakness.

Knowing that his disciple would not pass the coming test of his faith, Jesus nevertheless held him up in prayer, not only accepting him with all his soon-to-be-revealed faults, but also envisioning for him a time of repentance and renewal through the power of God’s grace. This

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last truth can be seen in the final part of what Jesus said to Peter at the Last Supper, which is actually a command: ‘And you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers’ (Luke 22:32).

Jesus’ words here reverberate later on after his Resurrection. That’s when he met his disciples one morning on the shores of the Sea of Galilee after they had hauled in a miraculous catch of fish. At the conclusion of their breakfast, Jesus took Peter aside and asked him, ‘Simon, Son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He did this three times, once for each of the denials.

After Peter replied each time in the affirmative, Jesus said (with some variation), ‘Feed my (little) sheep’ (John 21:15-17). Jesus then predicted that Peter would indeed walk the way of the cross for the remainder of his life, finally joining with his Lord in a death like his (John 21:18-19). As we know from the Acts of the Apostles and Early Church tradition, this is indeed how Peter’s life would proceed. Peter would in fact follow Jesus for the rest of his life, working tirelessly to feed the Lord’s sheep.

For me, one of the most comforting and reassuring things in these accounts is Jesus’ great compassion towards Peter, even in the midst of his flaws. Here, it is heartening to know that, as with Peter, Jesus comes to us in our weakness. And when he does so, he does not condemn us. Instead, he prays for us. He reaches out his hands in love to pull us off the ground, comforting us in the midst of our grief

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It is heartening to know that Jesus comes to us in our weakness. He reaches out his hands in love and empowers us to move beyond our shortcomings.

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We continue to follow in the footsteps of Peter, working to proclaim, by word and deed, the Gospel of Jesus Christ in places both near and far.

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over our sins. But then he also challenges and empowers us to move beyond our shortcomings so that we do not focus upon ourselves and our own inner desires, but instead upon meeting the needs of others. As Peter’s later life revealed, such transformation is truly possible by the power of God’s amazing grace.

This mission of tending to the needs of others is especially important for us here in the Holy Land, for there are many individuals and families in our region in such desperate plight, spiritually, emotionally, and economically. Our work in ‘feeding the sheep’ of Christ here is as essential now as it was 2,000 years ago. And so we continue to follow in the footsteps of Peter, who began his journey of faith from here in Jerusalem at Pentecost, working to proclaim, by word and deed, the Gospel of Jesus Christ in places both far and near.

Biographical note: Bishop Hosam Naoum The Right Reverend Dr Hosam Elias Naoum is the Bishop Coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (Anglican) and Dean of St George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem since 2009. In 1998 Bishop Hosam was ordained as deacon and began his incumbency in Zababdeh and Nablus/Rafedia. He was ordained in 1999. He completed his initial theological training in South Africa. In 2011, he earned a MTh degree in Canon Law from Virginia Theological Seminary in the USA and completed his doctoral studies at VTS in the summer of 2019. Consecrated as Bishop Coadjutor in June 2020, Bishop Hosam will be installed as the next Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem in Spring 2021.

He also serves as the Secretary to the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, is actively involved in the work of ecumenical and interfaith dialogue and is a member of the Friends of the Holy Land local Committee.

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The First Denial of Saint Peter (Premier reniement de Saint Pierre), 1886-1894 James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Brooklyn Museum.

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Chapter Eight As with each chapter in Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land, we invite you to reflect in three ways.

1. A poem based on a Scripture passage (this chapter, from John 18:28-40) 2. On the Scripture itself with a short reflection and questions

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3. Then, finally, you are invited to hear and reflect on a story from the Holy Land itself. Chapter 8’s story is by Vera Baboun.

Poem: Pontius Pilate

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Ten years I spent in that boil on the Empire’s rump a hotbed of sedition, of suspicion, a dump where no honour was to be gained nothing straightforward, everything needing to be endlessly explained either to the Emperor, his minions and cronies or to that incessant Sanhedrin, with all its Jewish baloney.

I withdrew to Caesarea whenever I could, my sanctuary, where order and calm would allow me to focus on my legacy plan an aqueduct for Jerusalem, a Roman triumph of engineering, a bringer of hygiene for this people so obsessed with washing themselves clean.

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But then their endless, so-called religious feasts would force me back to the so-called ‘City of Peace’ they prayed, sacrificed and, yes, washed again tinderbox tense days and nights for me and my men and for all this keeping of order I was reviled and told my mere presence would make their Temple defiled!

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So many scourged, crucified and forgotten, except for one whose memory and mystery I have kept in whose eyes I saw not fear like in every prisoner bound but a window into another world where peace could be found his questioning silence echoes still in my heart and my soul exposing the sham of my power and control.

I tried to release him, the gods know I tried but the mob had been primed, the noose had been tied behind the trappings of Empire and might I felt my fear, my impotence with no heart for a fight and despite the pleas of my dream-haunted wife I washed my hands of my guilt and his life.

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How will he look at me, what will he say when I stand before him again on his Judgement Day? He on his regal throne, restored to glory and beauty me the humbled one, stripped of rank and duty I pray that he will speak to me, gaze on me then as before with dignity, respect, even love and something more a hunger for my soul, for my freedom and peace and in the fullness of truth I will at last find release.

Scripture: John 18:28-40 (ESV) Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. So Pilate went outside to them and said, ‘What accusation do you bring against this man?’ They answered him, ‘If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.’ Pilate said to them, ‘Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.’ The Jews said to him, ‘It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.’ This was to fulfil the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?’ Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me.

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What have you done?’ Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world.

If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.’ Then Pilate said to him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world - to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.’ Pilate said to him, ‘What is truth?’

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, ‘I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?’ They cried out again, ‘Not this man, but Barabbas!’ Now Barabbas was a robber.

Reflection on Scripture and the Poem There is a deep irony in Pontius Pilate - that a man who holds so much power is exposed as being so weak and impotent by the events of Jesus’ trial. He finds himself cornered in what seems like a complete no-win situation – juggling what his masters in Rome will think with trying to negotiate the complexities of Jewish tradition and politics. He had made his name as a soldier, courageous in the heat of battle – now he finds himself totally outmanoeuvred. And yet in the thick of this labyrinth, he can still hear the voice of his own conscience guiding him to stand up for what he believes to be right – the innocence of Jesus. And Jesus himself disturbs him in a way that no other man has ever done, so that years later he is still haunted by their encounter.

Questions for Reflection as a group or individually • What was it, do you think, which so struck Pilate about Jesus?

• And how easy do you find it to listen to and follow your conscience?

• Feel free to share something that struck you from the poem, if you have not done so already.

A short prayer Be mindful, Lord, of your family, for whose sake our Lord Jesus Christ, when betrayed, did not hesitate to yield himself into his enemies’ hands and undergo the agony of the cross. Who lives and reigns for ever. Amen.

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Pontius Pilate Vera Baboun

It all started from Bethlehem where the Light was born more than 2000 years ago to make the world brighter with hope, peace and love. It was almost 57 years ago when I had my first cry as a newborn in the city of Bethlehem where the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ took place. It did not take me long, though, to be aware that I was born in the ‘City of Peace’ where the King of Peace was born.

Bethlehem, the city and its message, has consequently steered my life and way of living as a faithful citizen and leader. On December 2012, I won the Bethlehem Municipal elections and became the first woman Mayor of Bethlehem since 1879. Switching on the lights of the Bethlehem Christmas Tree was my first official public engagement. Starting my political life during Christmas gave me a spiritual, social and political momentum that has embraced my mayoral and political journey ever since. Being the Mayor of Bethlehem was a real challenge. It is a city that suffers from the political occupational procedures and their ramifications. The apartheid wall, checkpoints, and the surrounding settlements are just some of the outward signs of the injustice that my nation and citizens suffer from.

I never imagined that one day I would be the Mayor of the City of Peace. And as a woman mayor I set out to lead from the perspective and experience of a Christian Woman. To be with and for my citizens, my leadership revolved around my understanding of the word ‘truth’.

Speaking truth to power and to others was 61

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Bethlehem is a city with many outward signs of the injustice from which my nation and citizens suffer: the wall, checkpoints, the surrounding settlements.

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I never feared to carry my cross which is given from above.

Blessings live in the womb of suffering.

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made possible by listening attentively to the voice of my conscience. I had nothing to lose.

The Sanhedrin as a context is still leading the same trial today against us as Palestinians. In 2014, I attended with my Palestinian community the last sessions in the Israeli High Courts to suspend the construction of the Apartheid wall in the Cremisan Valley. Standing in front of the judges as the Mayor of Bethlehem demanded from me that I speak truth to power, and that in my conscience I did everything to defend the truth and nothing but the truth. I was aware, though, that they would win and enforce the building of the Wall because they are the force on the ground. However, I did not lose my sense of integrity as a leader and I was true to my conscience.

Many people have asked if my faith affected my political leadership. Unquestionably, unlike Pilate. I was brought up to know Jesus as my Lord, teacher, and Saviour. In his trial Jesus addresses Pilate: ‘You would have no power over me if it were not given you from above’ and I would have no power to lead my city if it was not given from above. Consequently, it was so comforting to lead while my eyes and heart were focused ‘above the skies’. I never feared to carry my cross which is given also from above. My daily challenges, rough experiences, conspiracies, oppositions were all crosses. I carried my crosses and always sought the skies above. In the end, we are witnesses through the life of our Saviour that blessings live in the womb of suffering. Many like Pilate fail to listen to their voice of conscience and reject 62

their crosses and end up losing themselves and others.

I accepted and befriended my crosses and was able to give birth to many blessings that brought positive change in my life and in others. I saw my Judgment Day in the eyes of every citizen and in the face of every challenge ‘for my freedom and peace, and in the fullness of truth I will at last find release.’

Pontius Pilate, the powerful and relentless Roman Governor who lived ‘on the Empire’s rump; a hotbed of sedition, of suspicion’ found himself the official who presided over the trial of Jesus who was a man in ‘whose eyes I saw not fear like in every prisoner bound, but a window into another world where peace could be found.’ It was inevitable, it seems, that these two opposing visions of power, authority, and peace would encounter each other in this earthly trial. Pilate appeared conflicted and torn between doing what the Judean leaders were asking him to do and doing what his heart told him was right, which was to recognize Jesus as harmless and let him go. And yet in the thick of this labyrinth, Pilate could still hear the voice of his own conscience guiding him to stand up for what he believed to be right – the innocence of Jesus. He opted, though, not to follow his conscience and instead surrendered Jesus to the mob. Being conflicted, indecisive, and fearful of the ‘incessant Sanhedrin’ and their pressure, Pilate ‘took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying: I am innocent of this man’s blood. It is your responsibility!’ (Matthew 27:24). He also feared being accused by Rome of allowing revolution.

And so, for his own security, he stifled his conscience, resisted his wife’s warnings, washed his hands from the guilt, and gave up Jesus to their will.

The death of one Jew was almost trivial to the chaos he foresaw and to his own security. That was his sin. As a Governor and Roman politician, Pilate opted not to listen to the voice of his conscience and so abandoned Jesus. That was his guilt. However, Jesus knew what kind of man Pilate was and so he told him: ‘You would 63

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Pilate allowed the burdens and pressures of his earthly way of living prevent him from knowing the freedom and beauty of the skies above.

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have no power over me if it were not given you from above. Therefore, the one who handed me over to you is guilty of the greater sin’ (John 19: 11). In the poem Pilate, though, in a moment of vulnerability later in life while encountering his belated sense of guilt as he reflects on his own Judgment Day, asks in torment: ‘How will he look at me, what will he say, when I stand before him again on his Judgement Day?’ It is hard to imagine that a man like Pilate, who tried so hard to be a winner, did not know deep down that actually he was a loser. He had let the burdens and pressures of his earthly way of living prevent him from knowing the freedom and beauty of the skies above. His only hope now lies in Jesus showing mercy to him, as he had failed to show Jesus that same mercy before: ‘I pray that he will speak to me, gaze on me then as before with dignity, respect, even love and something more a hunger for my soul, for my freedom and peace and in the fullness of truth I will at last find release.’

Biographical note: Vera Baboun Vera George Baboun is a member of the Palestinian National Council and the Palestinian Women Union. She was elected as the first Woman Mayor of the City of Bethlehem (2012-2017). Vera is a gender researcher, advocate, and has an active role in the political empowerment of women in the Middle East. In 2018, she co-created the regional platform for promoting the role of Arab Women in the electoral process. In 2012, Vera published her qualitative research entitled ‘Scheherazade’s of Today: Young Palestinian Women use Film, Radio and Platforms to Speak up and Change’. In 2016, she published her book Pour L’amour de Bethléem: Ma Ville Emmurée which received the Prix Grand Public de L’Oeuvre D’Orient in Paris in 2017. Vera is a graduate of Bethlehem University in the Department of English Literature (1985), a lecturer of English Literature (1990-2010), a lecturer on Gender and Development in the MICAD MA program (2006-2010), and the Assistant Dean of Students (2000-2006).

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Jesus Before Pilate, Second Interview (JÊsus devant Pilate. Deuxième entretien), 1886-1894 James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Brooklyn Museum.

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Chapter Nine As with each chapter in Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land, we invite you to reflect in three ways.

1. A poem based on a Scripture passage (this chapter, from Mark 5:25-34) 2. On the Scripture itself with a short reflection and questions

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3. Then, finally, you are invited to hear and reflect on a story from the Holy Land itself. Chapter 9’s story is by Laila Asfoura.

Poem: Veronica’s Veil The rumbling, the roar like a tsunami coming to shore crashing down Jerusalem’s streets the crowds chanting, cursing your name.

The soldiers, at best, doing their job at worst, playing to the mob whipping you, beating you venting all their resentful rage.

Chapter Nine

A torrent of men lynching a slave pilgrims and priests surging in waves a moment’s pause for your heavy fall then forward once more the masses pour.

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I know the route the cross carriers take so I stand in wait near the city gate filled with a deep calm and resolve intent to show humanity’s other face.

I have seen you heal with a tender touch gently restore those who had suffered so much so how could I not now minister to you and return the mercy you have given to us.

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The crowd’s core thrusts to the gate no wavering, no time to hesitate I dive into the flow, the current is dammed the surge held back as the tide retracts.

A woman’s power and presence and peace gives you, Jesus, a moment’s release I press my dampened cloth to your face so bloodied and butchered by men’s brutal blows.

Gravel and grit, phlegm and spit the salt of sweat, blood smeared thick all absorbed in the linen’s strands hatred’s poison lanced and drained.

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But the wave returns, I am swept aside erased in the sand by the rise of the tide the mob surges on to the butcher’s block to Calvary’s barren and cruel outcrop.

Discarded, abandoned, cast free from the din I can still feel the steam, the sting of your skin then sensing the cloth clung tight in my hand I look down to see your face reflected in red.

Unplanned, unrequested, a gift of pure grace your passion scarred image has left its trace I fall to my knees and in silence adore venerating the veil with its saving blood.

Scripture: Mark 5:25-34 (ESV) There is no actual reference to Veronica in the Gospels – her tradition is a part of Catholic popular piety associated with the Veronica veil, a cloth bearing an image of the face of Christ. Here we read a passage about the Haemorrhissa, a woman of great faith who has, on occasion, been identified with Veronica.

There was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all 67

that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, ‘If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.’ And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my garments?’ And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, “Who touched me?”’ And he looked round to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’

Reflection on Scripture and the Poem In the brutality and rage of Jesus’ journey to his crucifixion, we are struck by the feminine tenderness of Veronica in her courageous act of lovingly wiping his face as he passed by. Anyone who prays the stations of the cross in Jerusalem today will be struck by the narrowness of the streets and can imagine the surging force of the crowds as Jesus dragged the cross amongst them. The noise, the din, the verbal and physical abuse of the prisoners…

Questions for Reflection as a group or individually • Tenderness is one of Pope Francis’ favourite words. What does it mean for you?

• Feel free to share something that struck you from the poem, if you have not done so already.

A short prayer O Jesus, Veronica served you on the way to Calvary by wiping your beloved face with a towel on which your sacred image then appeared. May we grow in our ability to see your sacred image in others, to recognise their hurts, to stop and join them on their difficult journeys, and to feel the same compassion for them as Veronica did for you. As we bind their wounds, Lord, remind us that as we do this for them, we do this for you.

Amen.

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Veronica’s Veil Laila Asfoura

Over the last years I have become increasingly drawn to Veronica’s experience of wiping the face of Jesus. On some occasions, I have joined a group of pilgrims walking and praying the Stations of the Cross in the Old City of Jerusalem. At those times I have also become increasingly drawn to the Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. I can still remember the first time I met with a group and the expression on their faces when they heard that I am a Palestinian Christian living in Bethlehem.

The pilgrims showed great interest to know more about the modern-day life challenges of a Christian woman born and raised in the little town of Bethlehem.

I find myself challenged and comforted by the idea of Veronica being the woman cured of the flow of blood. Her whole life was touched and transformed by Jesus’ kindness and healing power. At Jesus’ time of greatest need, she returns that act of kindness and compassion.

Veronica’s act is a powerful reminder that we are all called to be people of compassion and sympathy. When we step forward in kindness as an act of charity we invite a response of love and gratitude. Hopefully, like Veronica, we can have the courage to take that step to help another in need, for it is then that Jesus’ face is revealed to us and in us.

What does it mean to be a Christian? It is means that we allow Christ into our lives, practise our faith, follow His teachings and become more aware and caring about others, especially the 69

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At Jesus’ time of greatest need, Veronica offers an act of kindness and compassion.

She is a powerful reminder that when we help others, Jesus’ face is revealed.

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Families that remain in the West Bank find the demands on their limited income make caring for the elderly problematic.

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disabled, elderly, helpless and hopeless in our community.

I serve as the Executive Director of St Martha’s House, founded in 2009, which is the first daycare centre for elderly ladies in the Bethlehem area, and is supported by Friends of the Holy Land in the UK. The ladies range in their ages from their 70’s to their 90’s. They are mainly widows living alone with no one to care for them. Many have families that have emigrated and are struggling to establish a new life so are unable to help their parents. Families that remain in the West Bank find the demands on their limited income make caring for the elderly problematic. Therefore, many of these elderly women live a lonely and isolated existence outside of St Martha’s.

No welfare systems exist in Bethlehem such as state pensions, healthcare or social services to provide a safety net of support. Elderly women living alone are particularly vulnerable.

St Martha’s provides a safe and caring environment where they can spend quality time in their latter years. We have a core of 28 ladies in regular attendance 4 days a week. We provide nursing support for them with healthcare checks, haircare, podiatry and assistance in crafts and cooking skills during their day at St Martha’s. They enjoy a midday meal, board games, embroidery and tending the garden which provides vegetables for the House.

Sadly St Martha’s had to close in March for ten weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic. The ladies remained each in their 70

own home concerned about their health issues and the virus. They stayed as safe as they could but they felt lonely and isolated by themselves with very limited activities and social gathering.

We missed the ladies as they missed us - each one of them is a mother to all of us.

The Holy Land is experiencing a situation of uncertainty and political, social and economic instability. Regardless of these number of challenges, I believe that we, as Christians, are here to stay as active members of the community and preserve the presence of Christianity in the Holy Land. Life is a journey towards God with purpose. As I continue my own journey of faith, I am grateful for the gift of caring and showing love and affection to others.

I feel that it is an important mission that inspires me to look at the world around me, and those in it, through the eyes of faith.

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We Christians are here to stay as active members of the community and to preserve the presence of Christianity in the Holy Land.

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We have one lady at St Martha’s who is 92 years old that has 13 children, but is now a widow living on her own facing the difficulties of daily life. Despite these challenges, she, as an elderly Christian lady, shows the same courage as Veronica, sharing her love and compassion towards all of us at St Martha’s House.

Biographical note: Laila Asfoura Laila Asfoura is the Founder of AHDAF Charitable Organisation, Executive Director of Laila Tours and Travel and a Founder member of the local Committee of Friends of the Holy Land. She serves as the Executive Director of St Martha’s House, founded in 2009, which is the first day care centre for elderly ladies in the Bethlehem area and is supported by FHL in the UK. She has been working in the travel industry since 2005 and holds a Masters’ Degree in Tourism from Bethlehem University. As a Palestinian Christian, in the Greek Orthodox tradition, Laila is a Founder member of the Friends of the Holy Land local Committee.

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A Holy Woman Wipes the Face of Jesus (Une sainte femme essuie le visage de JĂŠsus), 1886-1894 James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Brooklyn Museum.

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Chapter Ten As with each chapter in Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land, we invite you to reflect in three ways.

1. A poem based on a Scripture passage (this chapter, from John 19) 2. On the Scripture itself with a short reflection and questions

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3. Then, finally, you are invited to hear and reflect on a story from the Holy Land itself. Chapter 10’s story is by Sr Nabila Saleh.

Poem: Stabat Mater I wonder, Mary, which pains you more those who revile or those who adore sacrilege or saccharine cheap grace or deliberate sin your statues defiled and defaced or plastic trinkets of dubious taste?

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How to remove the graffiti and grime the candle wax and make-up smeared over time?

The scraped back image which I most treasure is that time of test beyond all measure beneath the cross your station keeping but not, I repeat, not wailing or weeping nor swooning nor fainting as in some Renaissance painting.

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Chapter Ten

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No, for you stood, yes, you stood strong and steady, resolute and ready to receive his every flickered gaze so that when through his blood-shot haze he looked down from his gibbet above his eyes would be met with absolute love.

Emptied of self, full of grace in you he saw humanity’s true face.

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Yes, you stood while others failed and fled betrayed or hung dead you stood, innocent and pure as darkness fell you stood secure and showed no fear in the face of death but loved like him to his dying breath.

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And still you stand amidst my failings and fallings my betrayals and withdrawings amidst my regrets, half-truths and loss you draw me back to the blood of the cross.

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Help me, strong Mary, to stand in the storm to live the calling for which I was born faithful and fruitful, loyal and true my brother’s sibling through and through.

Scripture: John 19:23-27 (ESV) When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.’ This was to fulfil the Scripture which says, ‘They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.’

So the soldiers did these things, but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.’

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Reflection on Scripture and the Poem After the tenderness of Veronica we now encounter the strength of Mary as she stands resolutely beneath the cross. This is the moment predicted

by Simeon all those years before at the presentation of the child Jesus in the Temple – ‘a sword will pierce your heart’ (Luke 2:35). John’s Gospel makes it very clear that she stood beneath the cross – not in any way wishing to draw attention to herself by any excessive display of physical or emotional distress. As always, she directs all attention to Christ not herself. NB. References to ‘I’ in the poem relate to the poet - Fr Richard and can, by extension, relate to each of us.

Questions for Reflection as a group or individually • How does the poem help you to appreciate this mission of Mary in a deeper way?

• How might we direct attention not to ourselves but to Christ in what we do and say this week?

• Feel free to share something that struck you from the poem, if you have not done so already.

A short prayer Fount of love and holy sorrow, mother, may my spirit borrow somewhat of your woe profound. Unto Christ with pure emotion, raise my contrite heart’s devotion, to read love in every wound. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

Your purchase of Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land is deeply appreciated. The money raised will fund a mixture of sustainable and immediate relief work in the West Bank, Gaza, Israel and Jordan. A network of lay and clerical professionals, ensures that such support can make the Christian community more resilient in five key areas: Education, Employment, Family support, Health and Housing improvement.

If you came by this book via a friend and have not yet had the chance to offer anything to support this work, please consider making a donation via: https://www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/ 75

Stabat Mater Sister Nabila Saleh

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News (Romans 10:15) When I contemplate the life of Our Lord Jesus Christ, especially as I live in this Holy Land where our Lord walked, evangelised people and performed miracles, I am filled with an extreme feeling of happiness and wonder of what would have happened if I had been there, then.

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When my feet step into Bethlehem, I feel a strong love for God’s humility towards humanity.

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When my feet step into Bethlehem and meditate on the grotto where my Lord was born, given birth to by the most highly favoured Mary, I feel the greatness of this meeting that brings humanity together with God’s Spirit, united by his words and our obedience to them.

When I penetrate the cave of milk, which gives hope to every human who wants to experience the greatness of fatherhood and motherhood, I feel a strong love for God’s humility towards humanity.

When I contemplate the escape of the Holy Family to Egypt through Gaza, I see their suffering reflected in the faces of so many who live in this land which is home for me today.

So many people powerless victims of injustice and violence in this land of exhaustion. The experience of dislocation, living all kinds of daily pain and grief added to people’s prior destitution and barrenness; the pain of a mother today who has lost one dear son or more because of wars and conflicts. I pray to God from the bottom of my heart to spread His mercy and compassion in Gaza today, in the whole Holy Land, all over the world. May God, 76

King of Peace, save mankind and bless us with peace.

When I go to Nazareth, I reflect on the Holy Family, living in poverty and modesty, as a model of love, humility and common responsibility rooted in prayer. Through the Holy Family, I pray for the family that is the seed of every good society.

By proceeding on foot upwards the Mountain of Transfiguration, I behold the extreme beauty of God’s creation of nature, and as I climb higher and rise above the earthly matters, I long to see God’s face with the Apostle Peter and would like to ask him to stay there eternally admiring his ultimate beauty to reach supreme happiness and spiritual fulfilment in his presence. Then, as I come back down to the materialistic world, I know I need to take part and share with my fellow humans in their daily life’s worries.

When I wander the streets of Old Jerusalem and with every step I take, I think over the idea that you, my Lord, were here and walked in these streets, especially at the time of the Way of the Cross, and that you bore alone all the pain and hardships of mankind forever. Then I feel how much I am weak because I did not share this suffering.

When I enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and go up to Mount Calvary, I feel overwhelmed before God’s great love for everyone in humanity, where the differences disappear in front of the cross. And when I meditate

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Every step I take on the streets of Old Jerusalem, I think of my Lord walking these streets, bearing alone the pain and hardships of mankind forever.

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I hear again the Lord’s call to dedicate our lives to caring for others, to giving and spreading love among mankind.

Differences can be overcome through the power of Jesus.

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on Mary, under the cross, surrendering to the will of the Father and to plan of her Son, I enter into a place beyond human words. I try to stay as close to Mary as I can, to stand with her and to learn from her strength as the sword of suffering pierces her heart. And with her I try to give my life in full submission to God’s care and providence. I ask that God’s will be done in everything on earth.

When I step into the empty tomb, I feel that the whole world perishes and everything earthly disappears; at that moment, I feel the greatness of life in the transcendent Christ, so I cry with the Apostle Paul and hear again the Lord’s call to dedicate our lives to caring for others, to giving and spreading love among mankind. Only in this way can all kinds of differences be overcome through the power of Jesus’ love.

Biographical note: Sister Nabila Saleh Sr Nabila was brought up in Egypt where she first met the Rosary Sisters in Cairo. In 2003, she entered the novitiate taking her first vows in 2006 and her perpetual vows in 2010. From 2006 to 2007 she served in Aboud in Ramallah and was then appointed as the Principal of the Kindergarten at Rosary Sisters School in Gaza for four years from 2007 to 2010.Before returning to Gaza in 2014 to become the School’s Principal, Sr Nabila spent four years in Beit Jala.

She has been teaching theology since joining the monastic order. During the past years, moving from one convent to another, she realized that God is the Lord of history and is the last to complete the history of humanity. Despite the everlasting, on-going hardships and sufferings in Gaza, Sr Nabila has become further aware that God’s mercy and love are the pathway by which she chooses to live her life and that the Lord remains her eternal spiritual and moral guidance for goodness and faith as she is committed to placing her trust in the Sacred and Immaculate hearts of Jesus and Mary through the cross. Without the cross there is no resurrection.

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Woman, Behold Thy Son (Stabat Mater), 1886-1894 James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Brooklyn Museum.

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Chapter Eleven As with each chapter in Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land, we invite you to reflect in three ways.

1. A poem based on a Scripture passage (this chapter, from Matthew 27) 2. On the Scripture itself with a short reflection and questions

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3. Then, finally, you are invited to hear and reflect on a story from the Holy Land itself. Chapter 11’s story is by George Sa’adeh.

Poem: Centurion at the Cross Just another day’s work or so it seemed to take the three from prison cell to Calvary their justice to receive we had hoped to see Barabbas hang and die in agony to personally escort him to his fate but instead it was Jesus behind the prison gate.

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We heard we had a king to bring to his Calvary throne so I let the men mock and have some fun a crown of thorns, a royal robe a sceptre of reeds sneeringly servile on their knees jeering “Hail King of the Jews” before lashing and slashing his regal back with leather, iron teeth and tacks.

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Then the royal procession through the pulsing, seething streets hostile at the best of times but today mutinous, murderous my men snarling like dogs barely able to hold back the surging mob 80

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incensed, demented some weeping, wailing as their king passed most cursing, yelling at this deposed outcast.

From whipping post to Calvary hill Jesus took it all no resistance, no withdrawal offering himself, as I’ve heard it said like a lamb to the slaughter willingly led to the sacrificial altar the beam shredding his shoulder his streaming blood staining the stones and soil a pitiful, punishing path for one so royal.

I witnessed and watched it all at first distant, professionally efficient but then more and more enthralled by the dignity, the inner strength of this man embracing death like a lover held in a moment of passion all-giving, carried on to consummation surrendering self to some greater union beauty in the blood, divine in the human.

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On Calvary my men, exhausted and drained lost no time to finish the job stripping and nailing each man to their cross then casting lots for their blood-stained cloths while the other two cursed, blamed and screamed you hung silently suspended between partners in crime, heaven and earth then dragging air into your crushed frame you called out “Abba” – your Father’s name.

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And your dying words sighed, rasped born of life’s last gasping draw me closer, pierce and penetrate my hardened soldier’s heart.

“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” words of mercy’s triumph over hate 81

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to the last spasm love poured out then pitch-black darkness extinguished all light, the earth trembled shattering rocks in this daytime night.

Such power, such force unleashed at the very moment your breathing ceased I fell on my knees the ground soaked by your royal blood “Surely this man was the Son of God” I proclaimed, raising high my arms in praise not pity of the pierced one faith professed, I feel his freedom in my breast I hear the call to leave behind falsehood and fear and in his Father’s outstretched arms find rest.

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54 (ESV) Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, ‘This man is calling Elijah.’

And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.’ And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened.

And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’

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Reflection on Scripture and the Poem It is another huge irony that the first person to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God after his death was the centurion responsible for organising his execution! And this means, of course, a pagan – someone who had been brought up to believe in the Roman gods. The only explanation can be the extraordinary witness which Jesus gave between his torture in the Praetorium and his final breath on the cross. That journey marks the dawning of faith in the centurion. Jesus is the Saviour of all humanity, not just the people of Israel, and the centurion is powerful proof of this. Truth can often be found in the most unexpected of places.

Questions for Reflection as a group or individually • How does all of this resonate in your own life?

• Feel free to share something that struck you from the poem, if you have not done so already.

A short prayer Heavenly Father, you revealed to the centurion the truth of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Inspire us to see in Jesus the one who loves beyond measure. Grant us, we pray, the courage to live a holy life, the grace to die a happy death, and the joy of eternal life to praise and thank you always.

Through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Centurion at the Cross George Sa’adeh

When I read this poem and reflect on the Roman Centurion’s experience that we find in the Gospels, I am struck by how this man of brutality is changed by what he sees in Jesus and becomes a man of faith. This gives me hope and strengthens my faith which has been deeply tested by men of brutality like this Centurion.

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I am struck by how this man of brutality is changed by what he sees in Jesus and becomes a man of faith.

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Let me explain more. As a Palestinian Christian living in Bethlehem under occupation, my life and the life of my family were changed forever at about 6:30pm on a rainy evening on 25 March 2003. My wife Najwa and I were driving in our car towards the grocery market here in Bethlehem. In the back seat of the car were our two daughters – Marian (who was 15 years old then) and Christine (who was 12 years). We were driving past the Shepherd’s Hotel, when we saw Israeli army jeeps parked on the side of the road, but we did not see any soldiers. Then suddenly heavy gunfire erupted, shattering the windscreen and filling the car with bullets.

I felt the impact of bullets smashing into my body. Najwa got hit with many shrapnel. When we turned back towards our daughters, we saw that Marian had been shot in the leg, and that Christine was lying between the seats. She had been hit badly in the neck and the head. We were screaming, ‘Stop shooting - we are civilians.’

The Israeli soldiers immediately closed off the area. We picked up Christine out from the car calling for help, until the Israeli army ambulance came 15 minutes later, and then they took us to 84

the northern check point between Bethlehem and Jerusalem and from there to the Hadassah Medical Hospital at Jerusalem. It took surgeons seven hours to remove all the bullets from my body. Najwa and Marian survived their wounds.

Christine did not, she died immediately. Three other Palestinians were also killed in the attack, which local people have come to call the ‘Shepherd’s Massacre’.

That night changed all our lives 180 degrees.

While I and Marian remained in the hospital recovering from our wounds, my wife Najwa struggled through the days of the mourning and the funeral alone. It was the biggest funeral in the history of Bethlehem. We had lost our beloved daughter. Ever since then, our family has struggled to cope with the loss. Everything that happened made us really question our faith and our humanity, but a month after Christine’s death I received a call from an Israeli Jewish group inviting us to a gathering in Beit Jala. We were wondering that they killed our daughter and now those people dared to call for a meeting with us. After a long thinking, we said we do not have any hatred in our heart. We remembered the words of our Lord Jesus ‘Father, forgive them because they do not know what they are doing.’ So we went to meet them. They were families from the Israeli–Palestinian Parent Circle Bereaved Family Forum - a group of 600 bereaved families, all of whom have lost their beloved ones in the conflict. It encouraged us all to tell and listen to each other’s sad stories. The group is committed to peace, 85

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After a long time thinking we remembered the words of our Lord Jesus: ‘Father, forgive them because they do not know what they are doing’.

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Beyond the blood and the suffering the centurion saw something so pure in Jesus, a gift from the God of peace and love.

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reconciliation and creating dialogue to end the occupation and reach peace between the two nations. The group has helped us very much.

As we see in the Roman Centurion, military life can dehumanize soldiers and make acts of violence part of just another day’s work. This is a path which can never lead to peace. We want to live under freedom and make a better life for our children. Life is too short, all of us we are going to die, leaving everything (homes, money, land, clothes and power) behind us. We can have a beautiful life if only we put down our hatred, selfishness and revenge. We want justice, peace and love because life is precious.

I think this is what the Centurion saw in Jesus.

He witnessed how Jesus sustained unbearable pain carrying his cross for an honourable cause to save us all from our sins. After years and years of being an instrument of violence and vengeance, the Centurion suddenly saw a totally new way – the way of love. Behind the blood and the suffering he saw in Jesus something so pure that it could not come only from this world, but was a gift from a better world, the world of the God of peace and love. It is only God’s love which can really change and heal us. We cannot find this path of forgiveness and peace by ourselves.

Biographical note: George Sa’adeh George Anton Sa’adeh was born in Bethlehem in 1961. He is married with two daughters, Marian and Christine (who has died). He was educated at the Terra Santa School in Bethlehem and in 2003 graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. George is Headmaster of Shepherds High School in Beit Sahour, was Deputy Mayor of Bethlehem from 2005–2012, is a member of the Russian Orthodox Emperor Society in Bethlehem, a member of the Israeli-Palestinian Parent Circle Forum for Bereaved Families since 2013 and a Founder member of the Friends of the Holy Land local Committee.

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The Centurion (Le Centurion), 1886-1894 James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Brooklyn Museum.

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Chapter Twelve As with each chapter in Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land, we invite you to reflect in three ways.

1. A poem based on a Scripture passage (this chapter, from John 19) 2. On the Scripture itself with a short reflection and questions

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3. Then, finally, you are invited to hear and reflect on a story from the Holy Land itself. Chapter 12’s story is by Fr Mamdouh AbuSada.

Poem: Atonement Hour There is something very moving in the movement of the men of the three touching figures in dusk’s encroaching gloom.

A silhouetted stretcher stumbles in retreat from the place where crowds had ranted now at home, hands washed for the feast.

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Joseph and Nicodemus secret followers both no longer afraid to handle a corpse no pollution here rather redemption from once paralysing fear.

This is their moment this is their hour a time to commit for friendship under fire.

He has changed them this younger man whose body they bear troubled, disturbed inspired in them this defiant care.

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There is something very priestly in the way that they prepare the stiffening body on the sanctuary floor 88

of the garden’s altar bed anointing with aloes and myrrh from pierced crown to bloodied sole fragrant linen bands placed with reverent awe over shredded skin by the quick-working hands of these brothers-in-law disciples at the death.

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The still evening air is pungent with spice as they place the cocoon in the tomb’s expectant care.

There is something Eucharistic in the way the body of the Lord is held in human hands so unfit and so flawed yet entrusted with this hour of purifying grace.

A body broken poured out and spent given in love that does not resent.

Their hands, their arms washed in blood his wounds imprinted on them wounds of redeeming love.

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With a synchronising glance they seal the tomb with stone and so their earlier fear and cowardice atone.

There is something deeply touching in the touching of the men a liturgy of reparation, of preparation of communion before the great ‘Amen’.

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Scripture: John 19:38-42 (ESV) After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.

So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Reflection on Scripture and the Poem The three hours which Jesus hung on the cross, from midday to 3 o’clock in the afternoon, saw the city plunged into darkness – a darkness which mirrored the depth of evil on Calvary. And yet out of this gloom, even as soon as Jesus’ stiffening corpse is being lowered to the ground, the light of redemption is already beginning to glow. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, two respected leaders amongst the ruling religious elite and closet sympathisers of Jesus, step out of the shadows of secrecy and very publicly declare their support for him by taking responsibility for his burial. We might have expected that their belief in Jesus could have been crushed by all they have witnessed of his crucifixion but it is clear that the opposite is true.

Questions for Reflection as a group or individually • How do you explain this extraordinary transformation in them?

• Feel free to share something that struck you from the poem, if you have not done so already.

A short prayer May abundant blessing, O Lord, we pray, descend on all who honour the death of your Son in the hope of the resurrection. May pardon come, comfort be given, faith increase and everlasting redemption be made secure. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Atonement Hour Fr Mamdouh AbuSada

I am a Melkite Catholic priest and Director of the School of Joy, a school for children with special needs, in Beit Sahour, Bethlehem district, in the Holy Land.

The poem ‘Atonement Hour’ speaks about the broken body of Jesus being prepared for burial by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. They have been secret followers of Jesus but now they courageously come out into the open and care for him. The body of Jesus was broken, but not his soul. I seek in the School of Joy to deal with both broken bodies and souls. Without this school many of these children would receive no education, no love, and no care at all because of their disabilities, and, sometimes, because their parents and relatives are ashamed of them.

Our mission is to rehabilitate mentally disabled and emotionally disturbed children by preparing them for greater self-sufficiency and independent living. In these children we see Christ. We do our best, like Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, to care for them in their hour of need.

The School of Joy was founded in 1998 in Beit Sahour, the town of the shepherds, a few miles from Bethlehem. The school consists of several teaching classrooms and workshops for vocational training and olive wood carving.

We also hold birthday parties for each child and Christmas parties. All of those activities are free of charge and are funded by donors of FHL, since the Palestinian authorities cannot contribute to them. We must pay the teachers, who also have families to support.

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Our mission at the School of Joy is to rehabilitate children by preparing them for independence.

We do our best like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea.

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We are realising that materialism and consumerism do not bring happiness. We are seeing a new understanding.

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This has been a challenging year for many of us. We are living continuous moments of stress, confusion, shock, and fear, because of coronavirus. The positive side in humanity is that we are seeing something good, a rise in a new understanding of what it means to be human, to connect, to respect, to honour. We are realising that materialism and consumerism do not actually bring happiness. The effects of coronavirus are more than we could ever have expected. Here are four of the main ways in which our lives (like so many other people around the world) have been affected: 1 - Economic Since March 2020 there have been no pilgrims or tourists. Consequently, the hotels and restaurants have been closed and many people are out of work. Imagine how many people used to work in hotels, now they are all sitting at home with no income for their families.

Christians in Bethlehem depend on tourism in their daily lives – for example, they sell olive wood products, but now all souvenir shops, like so many other shops, are closed. In addition construction has been reduced due to restrictions and people who work in Israel have often been unable to move to and fro. With no income and no work, our poor people have no money to buy food for their children. We are living now in a very critical situation.

2 - Educational All levels of education have been affected.

Schools that can are working online or in mixed modes while teachers are unprepared for the technological demands of online teaching.

Students are too young to be responsible enough for online studies, they need parental 92

supervision but do not always get it. Parents can’t afford to buy each child a computer nor can they afford the internet costs.

3 - Religious Churches and mosques have been closed, many religious celebrations cancelled, and others held with much reduced crowds. Pilgrimages have dried up – the Nativity Church, for example, was visited by over 4 million pilgrims from abroad in 2019. There is a spiritual cost in this for local people as well because if they themselves cannot attend Mass, this will weaken their faith.

Our churches help to bring us together as a community so when they are closed and nearly all their activities are stopped, we lose our connections and support.

4 - Emotional Many people are experiencing isolation, depression and anxiety as well as fear of the virus. Some family relationships have become stronger due to heightened contact during the pandemic, while others have been put under great stress because of this. Many ill people are delaying their surgeries and medical treatments in hospitals because of coronavirus.

Additionally, patients must have a coronavirus test before admission to hospital, and many can’t afford to pay for this.

All of this has a big emotional cost for people.

The big question is how much longer will it last, and when will we be able to celebrate Christmas and Easter again?

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Some families have become stronger, while others have been put under great stress. How much longer will it last?

When might we next celebrate?

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When the shepherds followed the star, there were rocky roads. However, they were doing what was most important, seeking the presence of God.

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My answer to this second question is that we need to look at everything once again with the eyes of faith. Of course there will be Christmas, but with no crowds in the streets, no lights, no decorations, no parties, no big meals, no presents, but there will still be Emmanuel. When the shepherds followed the star to the birthplace of Jesus, there were rocky roads, and there were no lights, no scouts, no crowds, no drums, no bands, just the flute of the shepherds. However, the shepherds were doing the most important thing - simply seeking the presence of God. And that is what we ourselves must do now. We need to trust in God because He is always faithful.

Now we are carrying our cross and walking the way of the cross. This is a time of Passion, of Good Friday for us. And like Jesus our bodies may be broken, but not our souls. As we see in the lives of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, the time of greatest darkness can also be the time of deepest healing and new beginnings. We pray that this may be so for our people at this time of great test and trial.

Biographical note: Fr Mamdouh AbuSada Father Mamdouh AbuSada, a Melkite priest, was born in Beit Sahour, the town of the shepherds’ fields, in Bethlehem region. After attending the Terra Sancta school in Bethlehem, he went to Bethlehem University obtaining a BA in Christian Religion followed by a Diploma in education.

Ordained priest in October 1995, Joseph (Fr Mamdouh’s ordination name) celebrated his Silver Jubilee of priesthood on 1st October 2020. On this occasion, his bishop afforded him the rank of Archpriest, allowing him to wear the Cross. After serving as parish priest in Jaffa Tel-Aviv for 11 years, he moved to Ramallah for 4 years. Fr Mamdouh now serves as chaplain at the Emmanuel Convent in Bethlehem. He has founded The School of Joy for slow learners and special needs in 1998 where he still serves today.

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Joseph of Arimathea (Joseph d’Arimathie), 1886-1894 James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Brooklyn Museum.

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Chapter Thirteen As with each chapter in Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land, we invite you to reflect in three ways.

1. A poem based on a Scripture passage (this chapter, John 20:1-18) 2. On the Scripture itself with a short reflection and questions

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3. Then, finally, you are invited to hear and reflect on a story from the Holy Land itself. Chapter 13’s story is by Susan Barhoum.

Poem: Mary of Magdala It was early in the morning of the first day of the week and still dark when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb to weep persistent and passionate as she had always been here to anoint the Lord who had washed her clean.

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Desolate without him tortured by her loss she needs to be here even with just his corpse no plan for how to move the stone just love’s logic’s force a magnetic field a woman’s resolve that will to nothing yield.

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And yet the stone like packaging lies ripped off, discarded the seals blasted and the crime scene left completely unguarded.

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shaking, distressed she still faithfully returns to the disciples’ secret rest.

Peter and John run on and enter in while she weeps outside sunk down on her knees – ‘They have taken my Lord’.

Angels cannot comfort her or her sobbing cease.

‘Not even in death,’ she cries, ‘could he rest in peace.’

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Mary of Magdala, so persistent and passionate now distraught and desolate Peter and John run out of the tomb leaving her alone, cocooned in her turmoil and grief nowhere to go, no comfort, no relief.

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But then a figure appears a man, a gardener it seems perhaps he knows where they have taken the Lord…

It was then that she heard that most heart-stopping word: ‘Mary’.

Yes, her own name as only he would say it with tenderness, respect and complete acceptance everything she needed, which only he could give ‘Mary, come out of the shadows and live!’

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‘Rabbuni!’ – ‘Master!’ she cried overcome with joy, with love for the one she thought had died she reaches out, grasps for his hand that once again he might save her, help her to stand ‘Do not cling to me,’ he says like tenacious ivy smothering a tree ‘Do not cling to me 97

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for I, for you need to be free of attachment to this my earthly body.’

‘I am sending you from this garden of graves as the first witness of my power to save to heal wounds, defeat death, take sin away and transform deepest night into radiant day.

Risen and redeeming I will be with you always in a new life of grace no longer in a human body, limited by time and place but alive in the Spirit, God’s gift from above who will guide and inspire you in this new way of love.’

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So Mary of Magdala, faithful and true persistent and passionate through and through arose and dried her eyes then leaving behind grief and pain she set out as the first to proclaim, ‘May heaven be praised may God be adored.

Everything is changed for I have seen the Lord!’

Scripture: John 20:1-18 (ESV) Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going towards the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

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But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ Having said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’ - and that he had said these things to her.

Reflection on Scripture and the Poem Just as it is striking that on Calvary it is the Roman centurion who first proclaims Jesus’ divinity, so it is incredibly significant that it is a woman who is the first witness of his resurrection. And this in a society in which women were not allowed to testify in court cases because their evidence had no legal value! And not just any woman, but a woman who, fairly or unfairly, was burdened with a scandalous reputation for her past behaviour. That is surely the point – that it is to one whose life has been so totally transformed

by Jesus’ mercy and compassion that the risen Christ grants the unique honour of first knowing the reality of his Resurrection. As Pope Francis has said - Mary of Magdala’s tears at Christ’s empty tomb are a reminder that “sometimes in our lives, tears are the lenses we need to see Jesus.’

Question for Reflection as a group or individually • How do those words and Mary of Magdala’s experience speak to you?

A short prayer O God, who through your Only-Begotten Son, have conquered death and unlocked for us the path to eternity, grant, we pray, that we who keep the solemnity of the Lord’s Resurrection, may through the renewal brought by your Spirit, rise up in the light of life. Amen.

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Mary of Magdala Susan Barhoum

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Our lives, like Mary of Magdala’s, are changed by our encounter with Christ who comes to us in our vulnerability.

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Jesus healed Mary Magdalene and restored her dignity. Meeting Jesus changed her life forever, but it did not mean that her life would always be a bed of roses. She witnessed the man who changed her life being hung on the cross to die. It was the worst thing she could imagine would happen. However, when she goes to the tomb on the third day, she finds the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, and meets someone who tells her, ‘He is not here.’ She sees a man in the garden, but does not recognise him as her Saviour until he calls her name. She then understands that it is Jesus and that He is Risen!

She rushes back to the place where the apostles are locked up together in fear. She bursts through the door and breathlessly exclaims, ‘I have seen the Lord!’ They see the joy on her face as she tells them what she saw and what He said to her; she brings them peace. Mary Magdalene, a woman, is their apostle. She brings them the message they have been waiting for.

As Christians, our lives, like Mary’s, are changed with our encounter with Christ who frees us from evil, heals us, and restores our dignity, but it also does not mean that we will now live a life with no difficulties. Challenges will continue to face us, and just as Mary did not recognise the man in the garden, we often fail to recognise God’s presence in our daily lives, especially when life becomes difficult. He comes to us through the most painful situations and in our brokenness and vulnerability. But time and again we do not see Him in our troubles 100

and adversities, as we are so preoccupied with looking for Him that we get lost and don’t recognise Him. Therefore, we need to hear His call and acknowledge His love. Just like Mary’s message, ‘I have seen the Lord,’ we need to encounter the living Lord who loves us through the power of His resurrection. Jesus has given us ‘eyes of faith’ to see the truth of His resurrection and His victory over sin and death. The resurrection is the foundation of our hope, the hope that we will see God face-to-face and share in His everlasting glory and joy.

It was a woman who brought the good news.

It was a woman who had the courage. Mary continued to be faithful – she was present when others fled and hid; she was present when all seemed lost. She was the first witness of the resurrection. Mary offers women of all walks of life a testimony of hope and courage. Many times history makes no mention of women; we are removed from the narrative. As in any human activity, history and our view of the world is misshapen and distorted through partial stories, mentioning men without women, victors without victims... As a woman and a Palestinian, I can say that many times our narratives are dismissed and overlooked. However, Mary Magdalene is an example and firm reminder of faith and courage for us. She shows us the courage to stand up for what is right, to speak the truth, and to keep the faith despite the many challenges that life offers. When life overwhelms us, we are reminded of the hope Mary found in the garden in her 101

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The Resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our hope. It is the hope that we will see God face-to-face and share in his everlasting glory and joy.

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In a dark place, we need to believe that we have been planted not buried, and so we need to bloom.

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encounter with Jesus. Hope in the resurrection - no matter how dark the world may seem, we know that the sun will rise. When we are in a dark place, as we are during these days with COVID-19, we need to believe that we have been planted not buried, and so we need to bloom.

No matter how small we might think our light is, we can still make a huge difference in other people’s lives. This is the inspiration that Mary Magdalene gives to me.

Biographical note: Susan Barhoum Susan Rantisi Barhoum was born in Ramallah on the West Bank, where she grew up under Israeli occupation. She completed her BA degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Christian Studies in 1989 from Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois, USA. She completed her Master’s degree in Theology (Masters in Christian Ministry) from Faith Seminary in Tacoma, Washington, in 2001, and earned her MBA in 2006 from Haifa University. She married Samuel Barhoum in 1991, Archdeacon of the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem, and they have a daughter, Nelly Anne, and a son, Yousef. They currently live in Nazareth, where she works in development and fundraising on a freelance basis.

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Mary Magdalene and the Holy Women at the Tomb (Madeleine et les saintes femmes au tombeau), 1886-1894 James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Brooklyn Museum.

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Chapter Fourteen As with each chapter in Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land, we invite you to reflect in three ways.

1. A poem based on a Scripture passage (this chapter, John 19:20-23) 2. On the Scripture itself with a short reflection and questions 3. Then, finally, you are invited to hear and reflect on a story from the Holy Land itself. Chapter 14’s story is offered by the Latin Patriarch, His Beatitude Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa.

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Poem: Shalom Doors bolted shut Last Supper dishes still not washed up wine-drunk flies buzzing to get out ten men frightened and numb humbled by fear, failure and doubt bewildered by the women’s empty tomb reports vigilant to the threat prowling outside of their own arrest, torture and death waiting for the coast to clear waiting to be somewhere, anywhere but here…

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Then it happens.

From nowhere, without a bolt loosened a handle turned or roofing removed Jesus appears standing before them radiant, risen, real?

Ecstasy and agony. Shock and awe.

Fresh fragrant air flooding the fetid fractious lair before any can speak he raises his hand in blessing and prayer and softly says the word they need to hear ‘Shalom’.

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And again ‘Shalom’ the gift they most urgently desire peace from guilt and shame peace from never knowing hope again once more his ‘Shalom’ drenches and softens their broken, beaten hearts.

Moving closer, mercy-eyed he shows them his hands and his side healing miracle-making hands now punctured and torn by hammered iron nails and his side gashed and gouged but now somehow glorious, victorious…

In the wounds of death they see new life the defeated Jesus becomes the Risen Christ who now holds them with his eyes and says ‘As the Father sent me so am I sending you.

No more locked doors, no more hiding in fear your mission is to the world spreading out from here and not in your own power but in my Spirit’s way to bring to all the mercy I have shown to you this Resurrection day.

Break through the doors of sin and shame and forgive others in my name.’

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With this he breathes on them igniting the Spirit’s fire sparking to life in each disciple an apostle’s desire.

Filled now with their Lord’s peace, purpose and power the ten men run towards the bolted door and with one pull burst out into the street no longer afraid, no longer in retreat but bold and hungry for souls themselves risen from the dead, a radical rebirth sent out, empowered to renew the face of the earth.

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Scripture: John 20:19-23 (ESV) On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.’

Reflection on Scripture and the Poem How often does it happen in life that a physical place where we can experience pure spiritual grace can on another day be a place of defeat and failure. This was so true of the Upper Room. We need to remember that between its celebration of the Last Supper and the appearance of the Risen Christ to the shattered disciples, that special Jerusalem upper floor room, so carefully chosen and prepared by Jesus, also saw the days of the disciples’ deepest depression. Everything they had believed in and worked for lay in ruins around them. They were holed up in this one room totally lost and vulnerable in the heart of this seething city which had just brutally put their Lord to death. Into this paralysis and trauma the risen Christ brings, in a matter of moments, new life, restored hope and renewed mission for life.

Questions for Reflection as a group or individually • Can you think of any ‘Upper Room experiences’ which you have had in your own life?

• How might you be called to bring peace to others?

A short prayer God of eternal compassion, each Easter you rekindle the faith of your consecrated people. Give them still greater grace, so that all may truly understand the waters in which they were cleansed, the Spirit by which they were reborn and the blood by which they were redeemed. Amen.

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Shalom

HB Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa Thirty years ago, I arrived in this Land, sent by my superiors. This act of pure obedience was the doorway for me towards a discovery that would become a real adventure of both ‘spiritual combat’ and ‘love’! ‘Ecstasy and Agony,’ that, in summary, is the experience of one who lives in and commits himself to this Land.

‘The Ecstasy’ - the transforming joy - came from connecting with the distant, but real, ‘spiritual roots’ of my faith. It was a link, a discovery, and an experience that gave new strength and new energy to my faith, which, at the time, was that of a young religious and priest coming from northern Italy, landing in a different country composed of many diverse cultures. In the following years, I would discover an aspect of my faith which until then had been veiled from my eyes.

Direct contact with the Holy Places, which physically bear witness to the Mysteries of the life of Him whom I confess as my Lord and my Master, has undoubtedly had a transforming effect. And that is the experience that - I hope many pilgrims would explore while visiting the Holy Land and moving between its numerous shrines.

‘The Agony’ is the other aspect of the experience. It is the agony of the tension between ‘the now’ and ‘the not yet,’ a tension between the established Kingdom of God and its definitive fulfilment. This tension manifests itself through the many tensions between this Land’s inhabitants, torn apart by many problems and complexities.

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Direct contact with the Holy Places, which physically bear witness to our Lord and Master, undoubtedly has a transforming effect.

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Forgiving is not necessarily forgetting but moving forward with an open heart, wishing good to the other.

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‘Shalom’ and ‘Salam’ are undoubtedly the most used words in this Land - whether in the prayers of the three monotheistic religions or speeches composed by politicians - and yet, it remains a dramatically absent reality. It is, therefore, a duty of all who love this Land and who come on pilgrimage to ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem’ (Psalm 122).

Only this ‘peace’ will make ‘the locked doors’ disappear, and so, no longer would the ‘hiding in fear’ of each other behind walls or exclusive ideologies exist.

Whoever says ‘peace’ also says ‘justice’ and ‘forgiveness.’ Forgiving is not necessarily ‘forgetting’ the harm suffered, but ‘remitting’ it to the past, and moving forward with a ‘dilated heart,’ able to open itself up, listening to the needs of others, serving them, and wishing them good.

In this Land, I have learned and understood more the Gospel values, and I think it could be the same for many who come to meet the Lord in this His Land, also seeking peace and reconciliation in their own lives.

Biographical note: HB Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa Pierbattista Pizzaballa was ordained a priest in Bologna in 1990, transferred to the Holy Land a year later and in 1999, formally entered in service to the Custody of the Holy Land. He was appointed the Custos in 2004. In June 2016, His Holiness Pope Francis appointed the Very Reverend Pierbattista Pizzaballa as Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, until the appointment of a new Patriarch. On 24 October 2020, Pope Francis announced the appointment of Archbishop Pizzaballa as the Latin Patriarch.

He speaks Italian, Modern Hebrew and English.

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The Appearance of Christ at the Cenacle (Apparition du Christ au cĂŠnacle), 1886-1894 James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Brooklyn Museum.

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Chapter Fifte e n As with each chapter in Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land, we invite you to reflect in three ways.

1. A poem based on a Scripture passage (this chapter, Luke 24:13-35) 2. On the Scripture itself with a short reflection and questions

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3. Then, finally, you are invited to hear and reflect on a story from the Holy Land itself. Chapter 15’s story is by Fr Jamal Khader.

Poem: Emmaus Bound As soon as the Passover curfew ends Cleopas and his wife Mary two had-been disciples slip through a city gate beating a retreat, not looking backwards deserters from the battlefield hiding their colours beneath pilgrims’ cloaks shattered and dejected haemorrhaging hope their longed-for Messiah rejected broken and executed.

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Heads down, shoulders slumped little to say, future in the past homeless returning home disillusioned, downcast when suddenly a figure joins them previously unseen unheard simply dressed in a long-sleeved robe no pilgrim’s pack, no traveller’s load startled as if by a ghost their eyes not open to recognise their Lord this man seems to know nothing of the dramas and traumas of these days a wolf in sheep’s clothing or a true innocent abroad?

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Yet something about him a warmth, a presence, a calm slowly persuades them to talk share their grief and laments to open their hearts heavy with regrets.

We had hoped that he was the one sent to redeem our people and free us from slavery’s yoke…

We gave up everything to follow him but now there is nothing left…

We watched him crushed upon the cross everything is shattered, everything is lost...

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But does it not say, the stranger begins, at the very dawn of day in our holy books that from the womb of a woman would come the one to crush the serpent’s head and lead us back through paradise gates born of a virgin, born in Bethlehem from the tribe of Judah, heir to David’s throne a new Moses sent to lead his people home.

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A herald would proclaim his coming on earth a massacre of children signal the place of his birth he would be called a Nazarene a great light rising in Galilee he would heal the broken-hearted and set the captives free give sight to the blind proclaim a year of jubilee.

But by his own people he would stand rejected for thirty pieces of silver betrayed and falsely tried silent before his accusers like a sacrificial lamb, tethered and tied he would be spat upon and struck less than a man, a worm, a thing despised.

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Hated without cause ridiculed and mocked he would be lifted up his hands and feet pierced soldiers gambling for his rags crucified between thieves seemingly forsaken by God he would pray for his enemies until on the cross he breathed his last and died not one bone of his body broken a soldier with a spear piercing his lifeless side.

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The stranger stops and holds them with his eyes Your sadness, he says, is part of a greater sadness a veil of grief which has covered creation since the time of rupture and rebellion exile and damnation but in this sadness the seeds of new life, new birth the seeds of joy are sown for from the harrowed earth the crucified one has risen the veil has been torn apart and the dawn of divine union is even now breaking into the human heart.

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So open your eyes, look at the cross as a sign of glory, of fulfilment not of defeat and loss see in the Messiah’s sacrifice the ransom paid for human sin his atoning blood poured out to heal us from within he has removed the mourning shroud and destroyed the tyranny of death so, you foolish souls, do not grieve but open your minds and believe!

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For hours they listen and learn dawdling, digesting hanging on his every word sometimes resting, seated by the way sometimes pressing on until the evening’s rays bring them to their Emmaus home.

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He makes as if to leave them some other home to reach but they beg and beseech him to stay and share with them a meal a thanksgiving, a reward for his kindness on the road.

Candles lit, wine poured in flickering stillness the trio pause then raising his eyes to heaven the stranger takes the bread and as he lifts it high his long sleeves fall to his wrists and they see the wounds in his hands the holes in his palms impaled by nails their own blindness pierced in this moment of revelation, of Eucharist.

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Gasping the two look at each other in awe but then turning back their Lord has vanished without a trace his light, his presence no more seated on the chair before them but somehow alive now in the core of their being a lamp lit never to be snuffed out illuminating before them a new path of believing and seeing.

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Without discussion or hesitation they leap to their feet and turn their eyes to the City of God running back along the road they had so slowly walked before.

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as he talked and taught opening for us the scriptures the very author of the book.

At dawn they had left seeing only darkness now at dusk they return radiant with joyful hope back to the Upper Room back to the Twelve themselves visited by the Lord.

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Hearts reignited eyes opened burning and bright Cleopas and Mary run towards the light reversing the curse of Adam and Eve who, blinded by sin and greed poisoned by pride had been from paradise exiled.

Ancient promise fulfilled Mary’s boy has crushed the serpent’s head the Tree of Life’s tragic deathbed now healed by Christ’s broken blessed body on the trunk of the cross Spring-time from Winter’s frozen soil awoken heaven’s gates opened communion restored Jesus Christ our Saviour, Redeemer and Lord!

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35 (ESV) That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, ‘What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?’ And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ And he said to them, ‘What things?’

And they said to him, ‘Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a 114

prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.’

And he said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, for it is towards evening and the day is now far spent.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?’ And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Reflection on Scripture and the Poem The experience of the two disciples’ encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Emmaus is literally a story of a 180° conversion. In the morning they hurry away from Jerusalem, the Holy City, and away from the community of the infant Church, embodied by the disciples in the Upper Room. But in the evening, their hearts and minds now enlightened by the risen Christ, they turn around and rush back to Jerusalem, back to the resuscitating heart of the Church. This is the joy, the exhilaration of conversion, of coming to know Christ’s personal and passionate love for you in your life. Liberated by the truth, everything becomes possible.

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Questions for Reflection as a group or individually • How have you experienced this joy, this freedom in your life?

• The disciples’ faith is reignited as Jesus breaks open the Scriptures for them. What place does God’s Word have in your own journey of faith?

• Feel free to share something that struck you from the poem, if you have not done so already.

A short prayer Lord God, you brought us healing through the Easter mysteries. Continue to be bountiful to your people: lead us to the perfect freedom, by which the joy that gladdens our way on earth will be fulfilled in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Your purchase of Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land is deeply appreciated. The money raised will fund a mixture of sustainable and immediate relief work in the West Bank, Gaza, Israel and Jordan. A network of lay and clerical professionals, ensures that such support can make the Christian community more resilient in five key areas: Education, Employment, Family support, Health and Housing improvement.

If you came by this book via a friend and have not yet had the chance to offer anything to support this work, please consider making a donation via: https://www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/ 116

Emmaus Bound Fr Jamal Khader

Disappointment and despair are hard feelings to experience. Not only on a personal level, but on a national level as well. When I visit Emmaus, the deserted Palestinian village, I remember the tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees who were forced to flee their homes in Lodd and Ramleh in 1948, taking the same road as the two disciples of Emmaus, but this time fleeing for their lives and losing not only their belongings, but their past lives, walking sadly towards Jerusalem or Ramallah. Many Christians from those areas are still living as refugees in Ramallah. More than 70 years later, they still call themselves citizens of Lodd and Ramleh.

When they left their land, they felt that Jesus was walking with them, weeping with them.

As Ghassan Kanafani, a Palestinian writer, puts it: “I was sure that the God we knew in Palestine, left Her as well, and that He was refugee somewhere in this world” (“The Land of the Sad Oranges”). When the refugees reached the nearby cities and villages, the churches welcomed many of them, especially the Christians. An emergency plan was put together with the help of the universal Church.

The Pontifical Mission for Palestine was founded in 1949, before the UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Words Agency) was established.

More than 70 years after what we call “the Nakba” (Catastrophe) and after more than 53 years of military occupation, the Church continues its mission among the Palestinian people, giving them not only relief and help, 117

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I remember thousands of refugees fleeing their homes in Lodd and Ramleh.

When they left their land, they felt that Jesus was walking with them, weeping with them.

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Hope gives new life. When the disciples experienced Jesus in the breaking of bread, their hope was restored. It is through this same sharing that our hope is restored and new life begins.

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but hope as well. When everything seemed lost, the love of God touched the hearts of them through the work and the pastoral care of the Church, the same Church that suffered with them and mourned with them, just as the risen Christ walked with the two broken disciples from Jerusalem to Emmaus and turned their lives around.

Hope gives new life; and the love of God reaches people through the loving care of the disciples of Christ. When the Church extends its hands to help those in need, those are the hands of God expressing His care for His children. And when we suffer the darkness of Good Friday, the Church reminds us that the dawn of Easter Sunday is coming. That is the experience of the two disciples of Emmaus, whose eyes were opened when Jesus broke the bread and gave it to them; it is through sharing with them, not only bread, but his own body and blood, that their eyes were opened and their hope was restored. The same is true for the Church today, as it is through sharing bread that hope is restored and new life begins.

Biographical note: Fr Jamal Khader Fr Jamal Khader is a priest of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (1988).

He obtained an MA and PhD at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1994-1998) and has since become Professor of Theology at the Latin Patriarchal Seminary (Beit Jala) and at Bethlehem University. Fr Jamal has served as the Chairperson of the Department of Religious Studies at Bethlehem University (2003 – 2013); Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Bethlehem University (2008 – 2013), as well as being the Rector of the Latin Patriarchate Seminary (2013 – 2017). He has been Parish Priest of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Ramallah (2017), and also the General Director of the Latin Patriarchate Schools in Palestine (2019). He is the Chair of the Friends of the Holy Land local Committee.

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The Pilgrims of Emmaus on the Road (Les pèlerins d’Emmaüs en chemin), 1886-1894 James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Brooklyn Museum.

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Section Two

Simon of Cyrene A Reflection and Invitation

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In writing the Holy Week poems I limited their number to fifteen so as to echo the traditional number of the Stations of the Cross. This meant that certain moments and characters of the Holy Week drama could not find their voice, such as Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin, and characters such as the two criminals crucified on either side of Jesus.

Another character left out is Simon of Cyrene, who we meet at the Fifth Station helping Jesus to carry his cross. I wonder if you, as a reader of this book, might feel inspired to write your own poem based on Simon of Cyrene’s experience and so add your own voice to these Holy Week voices…

Let’s begin by seeing what the Gospels tell us about Simon (see Matthew 27: 32-34; Mark 15: 21-22; Luke 23: 26-28).

The Gospels say so much in so few words. A phrase or sentence is like the tip of an iceberg beneath which a whole deeper story lies unwritten.

Ironically, in trying to fill in the gaps through our imagination, we can place limits. By making a choice to interpret an event or an image in a certain way we exclude other possible interpretations.

But this does not mean that the Gospel writers are not inviting us to bring our own ways of seeing and imagining to their words. Each Gospel writer wants us to be touched and transformed by the person of Christ they present to us. We are meant to be players, not observers, in the drama. We are meant to be moved by how Jesus changes the lives of so many he meets and then, in turn, reflect on how these encounters resonate in our own lives.

As Archbishop Justin Welby so perceptively notes in his words of introduction to this book, I have been very strongly influenced in my own faith journey by the Ignatian tradition, and its own particular practice of the ancient prayer method of Lectio Divina. I often spend my annual retreat time on an Ignatian 8-day silent retreat surrounded by the beauties of nature and, with the expert guidance of a spiritual director, am led on a personal journey through scripture. Usually this means being given one 121

Gospel passage to pray for the entire day (and often the night as well!).

Like too many of us, I spend too much of my everyday life trying to keep the plates spinning. I find it so liberating to be given the time and space once a year to come away from it all (following the example of Jesus himself) to a quiet place, where I can let go of all the busyness and just focus on being with God and myself. The Word of God is key to this – we bring our lives to this Word, let ourselves be stripped of our masks by this Word, and be cleansed and healed by this Word. The Ignatian approach to Lectio Divina stresses the use of our imagination, entering into the sights, smells and sounds of the Gospel scenes, into the emotions expressed and suppressed by the key players. So may I invite you to bring such an approach to the experience of Simon of Cyrene and see where it takes you…

Let’s start with the context of this moment. Mark and Luke both tell us that Simon was coming into Jerusalem from the country. So what would the Jerusalem he came into have been like? It was Passover week – the most important annual festival for the Jewish people, with the streets of Jerusalem rammed with several hundred thousand pilgrims. So we can imagine that Jerusalem (“The City of Peace”) was anything but peaceful when Simon entered its gates…

Also the Romans would be bracing themselves for trouble, even rebellion as Jewish nationalistic passions heated up. So imagine a heavy Roman military presence in and around Jerusalem, with a potentially explosive atmosphere in the air. Imagine checkpoints and road blocks, stop and search and multiple acts of Roman brutality to remind the people who was in control. Add to this mix the rumours surrounding Jesus as the possible Messiah, the liberator of his oppressed people, which would have brought all this tension to near boiling point.

So feel this contrast between the countryside where Simon has been and the pressure cooker intensity he experiences in the streets of Jerusalem. We might ask: “Why did Simon come in to Jerusalem from the countryside?” and indeed in the cacophony and chaos of the seething mob around Jesus, how did anyone even know or notice that he was coming in from the country?!!

Here the “of Cyrene” part of Simon’s given name gives some clues. Cyrene was a region of the Roman Empire on the North coast of Africa - today the area around Tripoli in Libya. There was a large Jewish community in Cyrene so perhaps Simon had come with his family on a once-in-a-lifetime Passover pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Or perhaps he and his family had moved to the Jerusalem area and now lived and worked nearby. If they were pilgrims, 122

perhaps Simon was coming into the city to look for lodgings?

I imagine him as a well-built, physically strong man in his late 20’s or early 30’s, which is why the Roman soldiers chose him, because he looked like he had the physical strength for the task. How do you imagine him?

Another obvious question: Why mention his two sons, Alexander and Rufus?

You could interpret this in two ways – does it mean they were with him that day in Jerusalem, or is this some later reference to help Matthew and Mark’s audiences identify Simon more easily – “Oh, so he was the father of Alexander and Rufus. I never realised…” It does seem a strange detail to include when we could imagine the two young boys, if they were indeed there, being totally lost in the press of the crowd. Mentioning their names surely only makes sense if the two boys subsequently grew up to become well-known members of the Christian community. St Paul, in his letter to the Romans, includes among his final greetings these words: “Greetings to Rufus, chosen servant of the Lord, and to his mother – a mother to me also.”

(Romans 16: 13). So could it be that Simon’s family later became well-known members of the Christian church in Rome, all of which could be traced back to Simon’s life-changing encounter with Jesus on the road to Calvary?

Let’s now imagine that moment of encounter. The soldiers’ job that day was to make sure these three prisoners were brought to their place of execution to be brutally put to death as a public example to others. They would have failed if any prisoner died on the way. The soldiers can see that perhaps they have gone too far in scourging Jesus, and that he might not make it to Calvary. So they look for someone in the crowd to help him carry the cross and so reach the execution site. Why did Simon stand out from the crowd?

Was it perhaps his obvious physical strength? Did he have a darker skin colour than others which somehow made him stand out? Was he simply the nearest at hand…?

What actually happened? Did the soldiers shout some order to him (and in what language?) Or did they simply grab him and physically manhandle him, forcing him to take up the cross. Or did Simon feel the cold metal blade of a Roman sword or spear held against his skin? However it happened, there was clearly no room for negotiation! What does Simon feel towards the Romans at that moment? What does he initially see in Jesus?

Before he even had time to think Simon found himself no longer an accidental observer of this execution party but right at the centre of it.

Imagine his physical experiences at that moment: the terrible din of the 123

crowd, yelling not only at Jesus but now also at him, somehow implicated in this man’s crime; the jagged, skin-shredding surface of the roughly hewn cross-beam cutting into his own hands and shoulder; the uneven street surface beneath his feet. Disorientating, terrifying - every step of the way Simon needs to use all his survival instincts just to hang on in there.

Now we come to the heart of the matter – Simon’s experience of Jesus.

There is one little detail in Luke to help us here: “made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus.” That is a very clear image – Jesus in front, Simon behind. This is not just a physical positioning but it also implies Jesus as the leader and Simon as the follower, the disciple taking his lead from Jesus. This is both a physical and spiritual journey for Simon.

Although artists often show Jesus’ carrying the whole cross, the actual practice of the day was for the condemned to carry only the horizontal beam, which was then attached to the upright post which remained fixed in the ground at the place of execution. But even so it would have been a terrible weight, especially when the prisoner was already so weakened.

Imagine Simon sensing Jesus’ near exhaustion, picture him gazing at Jesus’ lacerated back in front of him, the crown of thorns still piercing his head.

Blood, blood and more blood covering his beaten and brutalised body.

And yet, somehow, step by step Simon comes to see though the blood and experience the humility and heroism, the dignity and perhaps even the divinity of this condemned man. How did that happen? Being so close to death can change us for ever. Was it something which Simon saw in those lamenting faces of those in the crowd, including in Jesus’ mother’s gaze?

Was it the cosmic forces surrounding his death with the city plunged into darkness and rocked by the tremors of earthquakes as Jesus breathed his last? Or was it a brief moment of personal, face-to-face, heart-to-heart contact which Jesus shared with Simon? Perhaps when they finally reached Calvary in those few moments before the executioners set to work with their hammer and nails, Jesus gave Simon his blessing, with a tender voice and look of pure love which pierced Simon’s soul. How do you imagine it?

How did that moment of conversion happen for Simon?

His duty fulfilled and now pushed back into the crowd by the Roman soldiers, how long did Simon stay close to Jesus, close to the cross? Simon had come to worship God in his Temple, but instead did he find himself on his knees in worship before the cross? God was inviting Simon to make a pilgrimage of faith which was so infinitely deeper and more profound than the journey he had himself planned that day.

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And crucially, what significance does Simon’s experience have for you in your life today? Bring this to God in prayer.

And I invite you, if you feel so inspired, to write your own poem about Simon and what his experience reveals to you. Try putting yourself in Simon’s shoes (sandals?) and see what other insights and inspirations come to you. We would love to hear from if you would be happy to share your poem(s) with us.

Simply send as an email attachment to Peter Rand at Friends of the Holy Land. His email address once again is:

peter.rand@friendsoftheholyland.org.uk With your consent, we would like to share any poems we receive on the Friends of the Holy Land website. Thank you.

Simon the Cyrenian Compelled to Carry the Cross with Jesus (Simon de Cyrène contraint de porter la Croix avec Jésus), 1886-1894 James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Brooklyn Museum.

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Section Three Stations of the Cross

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Stations of the Cross in this time of the Coronavirus Pandemic As first prayed at Our Lady of Fatima church (White City, London) in Lent 2020 In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen Lord Jesus, during this time of severe test and trial for the whole human family, we turn to you. As we reflect on your Passion and death, help us to learn from you how to respond to the challenges we face at this time. Help us to deepen our trust and faith in you.

May we be united with all who suffer at this time, and with all those who are helping others to carry their crosses.

Guide us, Lord, in your ways. Purify us, Lord, in your love. Heal us, Lord, in your mercy. Lead us back into your light and your truth.

We ask this in your precious name and through your precious blood. Amen

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The 1st Station – Jesus is Condemned to Death We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Have we ever washed our hands as often as in these days of the coronavirus? Every time we touch something which could have been infected by another’s touch, we wash and wash again. Pilate washes his hands as a gesture of dismissal and denial – that he wants nothing more to do with Jesus, that he bears no responsibility for all that will follow. But Pilate’s hands will now forever be stained by guilt – the guilt of not standing up for the truth, the guilt of giving into fear of the crowd, the fear of what his superiors would do if he made the wrong move. We too are stained, infected every time we choose fear over love, compromise over truth.

Wash us, Lord, in the power of your blood.

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The 2nd Station – Jesus takes up his Cross We adore you, O Christ…

Jesus the carpenter, who knows how to craft wood and reveal its inner beauty, receives a rough, splintered trunk of wood, hacked and hewn without any craft or care. The virus too has no concern for its victims – it spreads voraciously at every opportunity, just like our human greed and sin, which is the true burden which Jesus takes upon his shoulders. How depressing those pictures have been of young and fit people hoarding and stockpiling food while leaving the elderly and the poor with unwanted scraps. But to willingly risk our lives so as to save others, as so many doctors, nurses, medical professionals and members of the emergency services are doing at this time – this is a heroic path to walk. It is the path which Jesus walks for us. Which path will I choose? Will this crisis bring out the best or the worst in me?

Help us, Lord, to learn from your example. Strengthen all who carry heavy crosses at this time for the good of others.

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The 3rd Station – Jesus Falls the First Time We adore you, O Christ…

We are on our knees – pushed to limits most of us have never experienced before. Economies, health-care systems, food-supply chains – all stretched to breaking point. We are naturally afraid of being weak and vulnerable.

We like to be in control, to be comfortable and secure. But Jesus shows us that there is grace in weakness, that we only really open ourselves up to the sufferings of others when we experience our own vulnerability and the closeness of death. The only way to raise up others is ourselves to fall beside them. Perhaps for too long too many of us have been passive bystanders in the crowd, watching at a distance the suffering, the daily struggle for survival of so many in our world without ever really being touched by their pain or moved into action. But now we are all united in this danger, there is no more “them and us”. The virus can reach us all.

Show us, Lord, how to walk together, to fall together and rise together. This is the way of the cross.

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The 4th Station – Jesus Meets his Mother We adore you, O Christ…

Last Sunday was Mother’s Day – a day when we normally journey home to be with our mums, to thank them with chocolates and flowers for the love, the very life they have given to us. But this year, because of the virus, most of us could not risk that journey and so we could not be together to thank, to touch, to hug. This must have been one of the greatest comforts on Jesus’ walk with the cross – that Mary was there, as she always had been.

She reached out to him in his agony and isolation, and shared with him the blessing of touch, of tenderness when all around was anger and rage.

Mary, at this time when so many of our family members are separated and alone, be to us a source of consolation, of contact and care. Help us to know your motherly mantle covering us all, comforting us in the pain and separation we feel.

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The 5th Station – Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to Carry the Cross We adore you, O Christ…

How much easier we find it to give help than to receive it ourselves. Being dependent on others is not a path we naturally choose. But how many in our communities live their daily lives dependent on the care of others.

And in this new situation we face, with the need for social distancing and minimum human contact so as to limit the spread of the virus, it is those who are most dependent on the daily closeness and contact of others who are most vulnerable. If this virus does no other good than this, it will have been something – if it can open our eyes to the vulnerability of so many around us, often hidden away from the public eye, reliant for so much on the army of Simon of Cyrene’s who come to their aid at their time of need. Jesus, the Son of God, willingly surrenders his power and might, and becomes one of these ‘little ones’, reliant on the hands and help of another. Perhaps this is you now, or it will be you in the years to come. We need each other.

Open our eyes, Lord, to the gift of the vulnerable, to the beauty of the carer.

Help us to understand that true human dignity lies in the respect and care we give to those most in need amongst us.

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The 6th Station – Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus We adore you, O Christ…

Yes, this is a time when many are dying, when many suffer in so many ways. But at the same time, in the panic and the pain, there is grace and gift. We are rediscovering the beauty of kindness, the power of seemingly small acts of love to bring comfort and hope. A concerned phone call to someone on their own, a neighbour you may hardly have spoken to before now bringing you shopping, a nation opening its windows in unison to cheer and applaud its health-care workers. Powerful because totally sincere, no self-interest, nothing in it for me, no self-promotion or profit – just real, authentic concern for the good of the other. This is what Veronica does. Moved with pity for Jesus, she steps forward from the angry crowd and presses a soothing cloth to his bloodied face to give him a sweet moment of relief from it all. And her unexpected, unsought for reward is to have his sacred image imprinted on that cloth. There is beauty in the blood. There is grace in the virus.

Lord, may we, like Veronica and her cloth, be imprinted with your own image through our acts of pure kindness, compassion and care for each other.

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The 7th Station – Jesus Falls the Second Time We adore you, O Christ…

Another fall. This time it takes Jesus longer to find the strength to rise again. And yet rise he does, drawing on his Father’s love and his need to reach that cross, to offer his life for us. We too have hidden strengths within us – seldom sought but there, gifted by God deep within us. It’s not our own strength, as we like to think, which helps us to rise but the Spirit of God – a Spirit which is only revealed when we too respond to the Father’s love for us, when we too live our lives for others. This is our true self, our deepest humanity, too often hidden and lost beneath layers of self – self-interest, self-centredness, self-pity. As Jesus’ skin is scraped from his body by the jagged cross and the hard, unforgiving ground every time he falls, so may our selfishness be scraped away from us. Just like the cross, the virus is bringing suffering and pain, but may it also, like the cross, lead to a purification, a purging of our self.

Lord Jesus, in our weakness, in our falling and rising, may we discover our deepest, God-given selves.

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The 8th Station – Jesus meets the Women of Jerusalem We adore you, O Christ…

Who were these ‘daughters of Jerusalem’? Perhaps a sisterhood dedicated to the lamentation and consolation of their Jewish brothers condemned to death… But Jesus, when he meets them, is not concerned about his own suffering, but tries instead to awaken the women to the threat which hangs over their own lives. Within just a couple of generations, the holy city of Jerusalem, at whose gates these women weep, will be reduced to rubble and ruin. ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me but for yourselves and for your children.’ Jesus’ words are not the voice of a God who wills suffering and death, but they are a passionate call to conversion and life. Violence and rebellion always lead to destruction and death. Is God allowing this virus to shake the world, as he allowed Jesus to go the cross, so as to awaken us to the dangers we risk if we continue to see ourselves as the masters of life, forgetting or even rejecting God’s place in our world? SARS, Ebola, now Covid-19 – each time the virus spreads wider and deeper. If we continue to exploit the earth, to exploit each other are we not creating the cause of our own ruin?

Awaken in us, Lord, the sincere desire to live once more in communion with you and your creation, and in solidarity with others, with a profound respect for the sanctity of life.

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The 9th Station – Jesus Falls the Third Time We adore you, O Christ…

It seems like it is almost all over. The soldiers fear that this prisoner might not make it to the place of execution. They look upon him as a broken man, pathetic, crushed. And yet there is a dignity, a spirit in this man which they have never seen before. They help him to stagger on, to walk these final steps to the cross. We only discover the deepest truths about ourselves and others through sorrow, pain and suffering. Brought low we see the world around us with different eyes – patients in hospital wards, corridors and intensive care – no longer divided or defined by class, language or culture, by their political views or social status – now all are united in the struggle for life, for the next hour, the next breath. Brought low, yes, but brought together as well. The virus affects not just the poor as usual, but also presidents and princes too. It brings us all down to earth, and reminds us of our shared humanity.

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Let us learn, Lord, from your humility. We all stand on the same earth, from dust we have all come and to dust we shall all return. Let us not live in injustice or division any more.

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The 10th Station – Jesus is Stripped We adore you, O Christ…

The condemned are crucified naked, deliberately stripped not only of their clothes but also of their human dignity. Jesus experiences the ultimate vulnerability of the defenceless – no shield or security, no mask or gloves to protect him. It is staggering that the God who formed our human bodies with such love now allows his own body to be so abused and profaned. This is how we so often return God’s love – not with gratitude and reverence but with rejection and ridicule. And yet, not all – the hands of nurses and care workers who lovingly tend the bodies of their patients...

The compassion of those moved to respond to the sufferings of others by sacrificing something of themselves...

May this virus, Lord, strip us of our callousness, indifference and brutality towards each other and restore in us a tender, whole-hearted compassion.

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The 11th Station – Jesus is Nailed to the Cross We adore you, O Christ…

Now even the freedom to move is taken away from Jesus. Huge nails are hammered through his hands and feet to pin him to the cross. The blood once more flows from his body, staining the wood and ground below. As the cross is lifted up his whole weight hangs on those nails. Gravity pulls him lower and lower. Every time he struggles to pull himself up to breathe, his strength, his ability to cling to life slips away. The gift of movement, of physical strength, of breath, of life itself is all so precious. But Lord, we have taken so much for granted – seen it as our right to have and to hold, to possess and profit.

Lord, may this virus, which threatens to take everything away from us, teach us to see life with fresh eyes – as a gift from you, to be used well, with gratitude and humility, for your glory, for our good and the good of others.

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The 12th Station – Jesus Dies on the Cross We adore you, O Christ…

For three hours Jesus hangs on the cross, with only a faithful few to support him. Every sinew in his body is pierced with pain. Every intake of breath costs him so much. It is our breathing which the virus affects, causing patients, like Jesus, to fight for every gasp. And yet, as his life ebbs away, Jesus gives his greatest lesson in love. Every precious word gasped from his mouth is a word of forgiveness, compassion and care for others: ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’, ‘This day you will be with me in paradise.’, ‘Woman, behold your son.’ This is total self-giving, total unconditional service and love. And then that last gasp, those final words saved for the Father: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” In these early afternoon hours, darkness covers the earth. The light of the world is extinguished, it seems. As the virus spreads, our world is also covered with a terrible darkness – of anxiety and fear, and the dread of death.

In this darkness, Lord, help us to learn from your hour of death and to be filled with faith not fear, and not with terror but with trust in you.

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The 13th Station – Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross We adore you, O Christ…

Jesus’ lifeless body rests in his mother’s arms. A sacred embrace beyond words. After all the anger and din of the crucifixion, there is a profound silence and stillness in this intimate moment. The crowds have gone home to prepare for the Passover, although the lamb has already been sacrificed. Jesus is held in the mystery of death. He has gone before us.

The virus has forced us to stay in our homes, the streets are deserted.

There is a silence, a stillness around us which we have perhaps never known before. Yes, there is regret and loss, there is grief in this absence of life. But there is also something precious, a presence which invites us to listen to ourselves once more. To pause, to reflect and not live in relentless activity and distraction. In this silence God invites us to contemplate the deepest questions of our lives – what is most essential, most sacred. And yes, to contemplate death itself – but no longer in fear for Christ waits for us there. We think of all those we have known who have died.

Lord, we entrust them to your loving embrace, and ourselves as well, in the hour of our own death.

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The 14th Station – Jesus is Laid in the Tomb We adore you, O Christ…

The faithful few take Jesus’ body to its resting place. His body is placed in the grave, returned to the earth as we all one day shall be. The huge stone over the tomb seems like the final sign of the permanence of death. It represents every fear, every anxiety I allow to take hold of me, expecting defeat, struggling to believe. Why does my fear so often speak louder than my faith? Jesus promises that there is no stone, no rock, no matter how heavy, which he cannot remove. Lord, strengthen my trust, my faith in you. Scripture tells us that the tomb was in a garden – a promise of new life, of resurrection. Help us, Lord, in these dark, wintry days of the pandemic, to remember that this suffering will pass – spring will return.

Thank you, Lord, for this way of the cross. During this time of test and trial for us all, help us, Lord, to learn and live the lessons of your Passion and death.

Help us to hold fast to our faith in the Resurrection.

Final Prayer Lord Jesus, as we end this Way of the Cross, help us to be ever more united with our whole human family, for whom you gave your life. As we enter deeper into the pain and suffering of the coronavirus pandemic, may we imitate you in our compassion and care for others, and in seeking the Father’s will above all else. We ask this in your precious name and through your precious blood. Amen We conclude by praying an Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Glory be for the Pope’s intention.

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Friends of the Holy Land Prayer Almighty and ever loving Father, we pray for the Christians living in the Holy Land.

Lord, may the light of your love shine down on our Christian brothers and sisters in the Holy Land.

In your mercy grant them peace in their land, peace in their homes and peace in their hearts.

We pray for the work of Friends of the Holy Land, that it will bring healing and relief to those most in need.

We ask you to guide Friends of the Holy Land and all who support its work by prayer, action and fund-raising.

Help pilgrims to the Holy Land to see the plight of their Christian brothers and sisters, and touch their hearts with compassion and love.

Lord, remember our fellow Christians in their greatest need, and help us not to forget them.

Amen

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1. Jerusalem from Mount Scopus; 2. In the outer Siq; 3. On the way to the monastery; 4. Holy Communion at Mensa Christi, Galilee; 5. Tabgha, Sea of Galilee; 6. Chapel of the Milk, Bethlehem

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7. Cana in Galilee; 8. Street in Old City, Jerusalem; 9. Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth; 10. Church of Nativity, Bethlehem; 11. Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth; 6. Palestinian Christian boys

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Photos Š Friends of the Holy Land

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Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land brings together 15 poems, written by a parish priest in a Catholic inner-city London parish during the lockdown of Holy Week 2020, with 15 reflections written by modern day Christian voices from the Holy Land. In an imaginative way, the poems follow Jesus on his final days leading to his Passion, Death and Resurrection while the reflections connect his experiences with those of the embattled Christian minority still witnessing to Christ in the Holy Land today. Written in the year of the coronavirus pandemic, the voices in this book offer a unique reflection on the ways in which Christ’s living presence has been experienced in these two times of extreme crisis two millennia apart. The book can be used as a prayer resource by either individuals or groups and is intended to be a prayerful and practical support to Holy Land Christians through the Friends of the Holy Land (FHL) charity.

Holy Week Voices From theHoly Land RRP £7.99

Poems and Reflections for Lent and Easter