HOW LIVING IN JERUSALEM HAS “FORMED” ME AS A SISTER OF SION.

I will list many things that have formed and shaped and reshaped me in the 13 years that I have lived here.  The opportunities are plentiful if I choose to respond….Also this morning I was  fortunate to hear the Chinese Bamboo story,- most of those elements and qualities mentioned in that story are woven into my story here in Jerusalem.

• Living in the land, with the peoples of the land-possibility of getting to know the two peoples -Judaism, Jews and Israelis..Palestinians-Christians and Moslems- to have the chance to learn about their culture, religion, their history and to appreciate the beauty in each group.
• To know some of the peoples personally and so to be able to participate in some of their lives e.g. to live and celebrate the many Jewish feasts with them as well as to  able to share in the events of their lives-engagements, marriages, funerals etc. (Shabbat, Pesach, Sukkot etc )
• Also opportunities with the Muslims and their feasts Ramadan, Id Al Fitre and Id Al Adha ,also other  joyful and sad events. Their foods to become part of mine.

• To be faced with, and to be in touch with so many differences we encounter here in this city and  in our house. The challenge this provides to grow in understanding, acceptance and appreciation of what  differences  offer us, the riches that are part of this.

• Constant possibility to articulate and live the charism, as we have so many people who come and go here at Ecce Homo, many who identify themselves on one or other side.
• Faced with anti-semitism and discrimination and the opportunities it provides to place before the other both sides of the story.
• Regular opportunities and requests to speak with individuals and groups about Sion, our Charism and what living in Jerusalem means, both in this house, as well as through  Interfaith groups who ask us to speak to groups about our Charism and mission.
• Having had the chance to belong to the Inter Religious co-ordinating Council of Israel, ICCI, has given me the opportunity to be in touch with the Jewish side in many and varied ways. For me living in the old city among Palestinians this is particularly important.

• The constant flow of students allows for much interaction giving and receiving and standing with them, as they grow through the discovery and deep meaning of the Word being rooted in Judaism, as they discover in the Biblicl Program.

• Collaboration with its struggle, pain, uncertainty and conviction that it must continue here at Ecce Homo has  certainly left its mark, and it has provided me/us with the opportunity to learn and appreciate a new community in the Church and their charism and call.

• To live in a land of Conflict- the challenge to face this, and live it in myself, community and all around us.  The call this brings to daily respond, or reject, to the opportunity for reconciliation, healing, building bridges, all so integral to our Charism.

• The pain and suffering of living besides a people who are occupied, oppressed and who suffer. To witness how  the worst of humanity manifests itself in both peoples because of this conflict, but  knowing that many Palestinians  experience treatment that is less than human. The consequences of that especially on our staff, is extremely difficult for me. Frequently it also called forth  compassion in me, especially for the soldiers in the IDF, many who will be deformed for life because of this experience.
• The 2000 Second Uprising or Intifada effected us all , to stand with our friends and especially our staff  , during this time, which led to much hardship and poverty, had a profound effect
• To live all this conflict as a Sr. of Sion living in the Old city in the Muslim quarter, has often been very difficult and painful. At times I feel that the situation is hopeless yet I know and believe that our calling is to keep hope alive.  I was encouraged when this morning Renata reminded us that “Sion” in the Hebrew scriptures means Hope, and that Fr. Theodore said that  “the virtue of hope must dominate all our works, all we do, and all our feelings”.

• God: All the happenings and event of life here in this holy land  has brought me to my knees more than I have ever experienced in my life before. It has thrown me onto God, knowing that only God  can sustain us and the people around us. It has led me to pray imploringly and ceaselessly for Justice and Peace on a daily basis.

• Community. Above all, having had a good Community has been invaluable for me, I would say it was  essential to have been able to persevere.  Sure it was not perfect, but to have the place where together we can pray deeply, reflect, break open the word and share on life and the Word in life, and to help each other to keep as much of a balance as is possible, in regards to our love and acceptance of the 2 peoples and to persevere. I am so grateful for all who have shared community with me over these last 13 years.

In conclusion I am very grateful for the call I received over 13 years ago as it has  radically changed my life.

PASSION

• For me to live that fidelity that God has, and has shown, by standing beside the peoples of this land especially in the suffering. For me especially the few Palestinians who are part of my life. Staff here.
• To live in the land of the Bible and of Jesus.
• To provide the opportunity for many to come and grow in the Word and understanding of our Jewish roots.
• To be an instrument in helping people who come to look to visit, to see two peoples, both loved and precious to our God.
• To keep Sion before the many with whom we come in contact here in the land.
• To keep Sion alive in this land.