Monday, December 04, 2006

Our Wailing Wall

Last night at The Story, we made our own wailing wall. With fluorescent post-it notes in hand and some of the worst humanitarian crises in mind, we listened to U2 and cried out against oppression and injustice. Not a bad thing to do at 'church.'

Our wailing wall got pretty big, even with the small amount of people who were contributing. We were instructed by Lynnette to make a list of people and issues that were marginalized. Our wall grew as we stuck the notes to the wall with issues and victims like homelessness, children born into lower class families, Claudia Nunez, Palestine, Darfur, and education.

Then we each lit a candle for these unjust situations in the hopes that God's justice will break through the oppression and rescue those in need.

I believe the church can be one of the most positive forces for good in the world. In any policy issue, recognition is the first step. And, given the human and monetary capital that church universal has at its disposal, we could help a lot of people to recognize the things that need changing.

Here's to hope for peace this advent season.

Comments (2)

Anonymous

12:13 PM

What a great idea.

Hey Sam,

When I was in Jerusalem I stood at the wall and wept as I stood with women who visited this wall daily for recitation of prayers... their dedication- their devotion... convicted me like crazy...broke my heart- my own dedication and own devotion to our Lord wasn't even close to what I saw in them...and I KNOW Him... however... He loves me just the same.... I had an encounter with someone there who came, put her hand on my shoulder... I could see her tears... My own tears were being shed for the people I saw in front of me who didn't get it- didn't know Him... her tears were for me indirectly... I asked her why SHE was crying... she said, "I want that PEACE I see in you." It took my breath away. I couldn't even respond. Moments later I learned that this was being prayed over us "Pray for the PEACE of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. May there be PEACE within your walls and security within your citadels." For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, "PEACE be within you." Ps. 122 Woah...