But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth one who is to rule in Israel ~Micah 5:2
Bethlehem and Jerusalem are some five miles apart. The land stretching between them used to be open fields — farmers in Bethlehem produced sheep to be sacrificed at the temple in Jerusalem.
Now Israel has erected a wall officially called the West Bank barrier, to keep the Palestinians within specific borders; to control their movements; to keep them subject.
At the checkpoint outside Bethlehem, our tour bus stops. Teenaged Israeli soldiers board our bus, carrying Uzis. They stride up and down the aisle, randomly checking passports. They are brusque.
What an upsetting way to begin a visit to the birthplace of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
How might you bear a burden for peace in this place?
Prayer: O God, grant peace to Jerusalem, and peace to Bethlehem.
Click here for the Third Sunday in Lent.
This material is adapted from my book, Chasing the Divine in the Holy Land.
The photo is mine, taken from the Bethlehem side of the Wall.
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