A word of faith, hope and love from the heart of Palestinian suffering Part Two: Hope excerpts.

A word of faith, hope and love from the

heart of Palestinian suffering

Part Two: Hope

excerpts

Our hope remains strong despite the lack of hope.

No quick solution & no change in our situation & suffering.

Israel refuses any solution – leaves no room for positive expectation.

Yet, because our hope is from God, it remains strong.

God’s goodness will be victorious over evil – some day!

• Hope within us means our• Faith in God• Expectation for a better future• Not chasing after illusions – release is

not close at hand

• Hope means • capacity to see God in midst of

trouble• to be co-workers with the Holy Spirit

within us

be steadfast work to change the reality not give in to evil, but stand up

to it in spite of:oruin & destruction all around usostrength of Israeli occupiersogrowing racist separation odenial of our existence & dignity oconfusion & division in our ranks

If we resist in the face of this reality and work hard, perhaps our destruction will not come about.

Despite weakness & divisions within the Church, there are signs of hopeo Vibrant parish communitieso Young people working for peace &

justice

Church institutions active in service, love

& prayer

Numerous local centers of theology & growing ecumenical spirit

Growing inter-religious & inter faith (Jewish, Christian & Muslim) dialogue - perfected through suffering & trying to breach the walls separating us

Steadfastness of generations’ belief in justice & their Nakba memory & the growing awareness of Churches around the world

Palestinian readiness for reconciliation once justice is restored & Jewish & Israeli voices for peace & justice

All this is not yet able to transform our situation, but it may shorten our suffering and hasten reconciliation.

Our Church is people bearing the voice of God now & always in prophetic prayer & service.o The suffering we experience is all part of

our prayer and service

o Thank God our Church speaks against injustice

The Church’s mission is prophetic taking the side of the oppressed as

Christ did

calling for repentance, life & restoration of human dignity

The Church’s mission is to

proclaim God’s Kingdom of justice, peace & human dignity

bear witness to God’s goodness & dignity of all humans including adversaries

Church points to the Kingdom beyond any earthy kingdom Therefore, religion must

opromote justice, truth & human dignityo try to purify regimes that promote

injustice & suffering

God’s Kingdom is greater & more inclusive than any political system God’s Kingdom is among us in everything

we do & say.

oTherefore, in the divine presence we shall do all we can until justice achieved

Circumstances of Palestinian Church require the Church (universal) to

clarify her faith & better identify her vocation as has the Palestinian Church in its suffering, which now bears witness to:

o love rather than revengeo life over deatho hope for itself, the Church & the world

The resurrection is the source of our hope of victory over death & evil.

Therefore, we remain a witnessing, steadfast & active Church in the Land of the Resurrection!