Shalom!

 “For the peace of Jerusalem pray, may they prosper, those who love you. May peace abide in your walls” (Psalm 122).

          Shalom! This is how the Jewish people greet each other, with the word “peace.” The Muslims use the Arabic word salaam in the same way. It is not hard to see why this is a standard greeting for them given the violence that has plagued this region of the world. The sites we visited today were reminders of that deep longing for peace among the people here and at the same time how fragile the current peace is.

          Our guide took us out early in the morning for a tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. Our first major stop was at the Temple Mount, where the Temple, the center of Jewish worship, had previously stood. This is where Abraham demonstrated his faith by offering his own son to God, though not killing him because of the angel’s intervention. Now there stands the Dome of the Rock, a Muslim shrine memorializing their belief in Muhammad’s vision/mystical journey in which he traveled to Jerusalem and was ascended into heaven. This shrine has stood since 691 A.D. It is considered the third holiest site for Muslims.

          After seeing the top of the Temple Mount, we visited the Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall. This is all that is left of the outer retaining wall that supported the Second Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. Despite the rain, there were still a number of Jews praying at the Wall. We too approached the Wall to pray. No doubt many of us prayed for peace here in the Holy Land. The Temple was the most important site for the Jews. It represented the presence of God in their midst. This land in general is so important for the Jewish people because the promises of God as they read them are tied to this land, especially Jerusalem.
        That these two major religions hold such great value to these sites yet in different ways, has led to continuous tension and at times violent outbreaks. As men preparing for priesthood we will be called upon to be ministers of peace, to allow peace, which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit to flourish in human hearts. Peace in the heart is the foundation for all external peace. Let us pray that the Prince of Peace may reign in our own hearts. Only then can we be instruments of the Spirit’s peace to others.