There is a story in Christian scripture about Jesus when, as he approached Jerusalem and sees the city before him on the hill, stops and weeps and says, “If you had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace.”
2000 years later we still have not figured out “those things that make for peace.”
As a result, far too many continue to weep.
Jewish parents whose sons were killed.
Palestinian parents whose son was killed.
Israeli citizens who run for bomb shelters.
Palestinian citizens who huddle in door ways to escape retaliatory missile strikes.
If Einstein was right and insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, then we are, in fact, insane. In some way, shape or form, we have been doing the same thing for 66 years now with nearly the same result.
Bombings.
Terrorism.
Retaliatory strikes.
Walls.
Suspicion hardened into hatred.
All leading to tears.
And, more tears.
Over Jerusalem.
All all who live within its shadow.
I am not wise enough to know the answer.
And, I am probably not courageous enough to live the answer if I knew it.
So today all I can do is cry.
My tears added to all the other tears that are and have been shed.
Israeli tears.
Jewish tears.
Palestinian tears.
Muslim tears.
Christian tears.
Their tears all far more precious than mine.
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