Peacemakers

~ by Samir Selmanovic

All war is our war.

Last week my wife Vesna and I saw Masked , an explosive Israeli play about three Palestinian brothers at the heart of the Middle East conflict. Although our rage and grief burst into tears (and I never cry watching movies!) what we learned from the play was just a beginning.

The play was followed by a post-show discussion with Yonatan Shapira, a pilot who flew hundreds of missions for Israeli Defense.  Along with 26 other pilots, he signed an open letter of refusal to fly over Palestinian territory.  After being discharged, the pilots connected with their Palestinian counterparts and founded an organization called Combatants for Peace . 

What was most intruiging to us was Yonatan's assertion that we are all part of this violent conflict.  I never thought I was.  He argued that one of the major obstacles to peace is the influx of American weapons and money to the Middle East.  Used by all sides in the conflict, boosting our economy, and paid with our tax dollars, it is our weapons that are flooding their world. Yonatan told me, "It is Christians in this country who are best positioned to help end this violence."   Sobering words.

Two days later, I was a part of the post-show discussion as one of the interfaith panelists on the topic "Dialogue Despite Difference."  For sure, I am not an authority on the Middle East conflict.  It is the idea of FAITH HOUSE congregation that has inspired the organizer to invite me.  So many people want it to be possible!

I hope you can see the play if you pass through New York or look out for it if it ever comes to a town near you.  If you pursue "peace on earth," welcome to the company of Jesus and the prophets.  If you are a peacemaker, here is a poem of Rumi, a Muslim mystic poet, that can help you feel like you are not out of your mind.

        “Start a huge, foolish project
        Like Noah.
        It makes absolutely no
        Difference what people
        Think of you.”
                                ~ Rumi

Shalom, Salaam, and Peace of Christ to you from New York!