Pentecost +13 - Rev. Fadi Diab

Today we welcomed Rev. Fadi Diab from our companion parish of St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Zebabdeh, West Bank. What a treat it has been to have him in our midst! We have learned so much about our brothers and sisters who live behind the wall of the West Bank. To read more about the parishioners of our companion church click here.

We had so many questions for him! And he was so patient in answering them as he attended two dinners, an ice cream social and of course after preaching at both services on August 10th. One of the ministries of St. Matthews is a primary care health clinic, the Penman Clinic, that is available to all people in the area that may be in need, regardless of income level or religious belief. Fadi also founded the "Youth Connections for Peace" initiative. Every summer he takes a group of students from Zebabdeh to Ireland where they study the 1998 Good Friday Peace Agreement - in hopes of understanding and developing new ways to attain peace in their own land.

Fadi's sermon focused on the story of Elijah, who fled for his life and ended up sulking in a cave (found in 1 Kings: 19.) Elijah had various replies to God's query, "What are you doing here Elijah?" Fadi asked us the same question. What are we doing here? Of course we have varying replies also, don't we? What is God calling us to? Fadi gave us much to consider especially in light of the present situation that the church, those living stones, are facing on a daily basis in Palestine, as more and more Christians leave the Holy Land. What is our responsibility as Western Christians for this part of the body of Christ that is struggling to survive?

A Prayer for Peace....

God of mercy and compassion,

of grace and reconciliation,

pour your power upon all your children in the Middle East:

Jews, Muslims and Christians,

Palestinians and Israelis.

Let hatred be turned into love,

fear to trust,

despair to hope,

oppression to freedom,

occupation to liberation,

that violent encounters may be replaced by loving embraces,

and peace and justice could be experienced by all. Amen.

The Reverend Said Ailabouni
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Chicago, IL