PALESTINE REFLECTION: Holy Week with Palestinian Christians
April 20th, 2009
CPTnet
20 April 2009
PALESTINE REFLECTION: Holy Week with Palestinian Christians
by Paulette Schroeder
[Note: Schroeder is currently studying Arabic in Bethlehem. This letter to her supporters has been edited for length.]
I watched intently as the family in the shop below my apartment worked tirelessly for three days and nights on 400 traditional palm basket-branches. When completed, the small baskets lining the palm stalk were filled with beautiful flowers for the children to carry into church on Palm Sunday to acknowledge Jesus as King of us all.
Palm Sunday afternoon, I traveled to Jerusalem where Christian pilgrims from all over the world gather each year to make the march into Jerusalem from Bethphage where tradition holds Jesus mounted the donkey to take him into Jerusalem. For the first time, I felt something of what the people in that first procession might have felt as they danced and shouted in jubilation. Finally, their troubles would disappear. Finally, they had someone who promised to deliver them of the suffering facing them every day from Roman soldiers.
On Maundy Thursday, people packed the church on this night an hour before services. Twelve chairs filled the space in front of the altar for the twelve people whose feet the priest would wash. Children huddled around to watch the priest as he knelt and performed the sacrament. Thanksgiving and prayers for the needs of people all over the world filled these hushed evening hours.
Thursday passed into Friday. Here in Bethlehem’s St. Catherine Church for sixty-five minutes, hundreds of people kissed the image of the body of Jesus on the cross. Then, all faces turned to the back of the church. There, six strong men began carrying the life-size body of the crucified Jesus on a funeral bier to the front of the church. Now Jesus could be laid in the tomb. Flowers surrounded Jesus’ crowned head. As Father sprinkled sweet smelling ointments over Jesus, the people touched, kissed, wiped Jesus’ body, tenderly expressed their sorrow for any part they have in this and all the crucifixions happening in our world today.
And finally, I participated in Easter Vigil night—night subdued in lighting, hushed with expectation. The seven scriptural readings proclaim the beginning of life, the story of dry bones reuniting, God’s incredible mercy continuing to lead all of us to life-giving waters. The stories end; the church spotlights erupt in brilliant light; the bells ring out from tower and pew as Father proclaims (in Arabic) “Christ has risen!” The people clap boldly, happily. Yes,…death is not the last word. Christ is alive, well among us. He is risen, walks with us, and promises to remain with us always.
I felt so blessed to experience these faith-filled people, to see how they relive, remember, make real, deepen their faith and relationship with Jesus throughout all these rituals. Oh, how I await with these Christians their full liberation from this present Occupation!
in:
CPTnet
20 April 2009
PALESTINE REFLECTION: Holy Week with Palestinian Christians
by Paulette Schroeder
[Note: Schroeder is currently studying Arabic in Bethlehem. This letter to her supporters has been edited for length.]
I watched intently as the family in the shop below my apartment worked tirelessly for three days and nights on 400 traditional palm basket-branches. When completed, the small baskets lining the palm stalk were filled with beautiful flowers for the children to carry into church on Palm Sunday to acknowledge Jesus as King of us all.
Palm Sunday afternoon, I traveled to Jerusalem where Christian pilgrims from all over the world gather each year to make the march into Jerusalem from Bethphage where tradition holds Jesus mounted the donkey to take him into Jerusalem. For the first time, I felt something of what the people in that first procession might have felt as they danced and shouted in jubilation. Finally, their troubles would disappear. Finally, they had someone who promised to deliver them of the suffering facing them every day from Roman soldiers.
On Maundy Thursday, people packed the church on this night an hour before services. Twelve chairs filled the space in front of the altar for the twelve people whose feet the priest would wash. Children huddled around to watch the priest as he knelt and performed the sacrament. Thanksgiving and prayers for the needs of people all over the world filled these hushed evening hours.
Thursday passed into Friday. Here in Bethlehem’s St. Catherine Church for sixty-five minutes, hundreds of people kissed the image of the body of Jesus on the cross. Then, all faces turned to the back of the church. There, six strong men began carrying the life-size body of the crucified Jesus on a funeral bier to the front of the church. Now Jesus could be laid in the tomb. Flowers surrounded Jesus’ crowned head. As Father sprinkled sweet smelling ointments over Jesus, the people touched, kissed, wiped Jesus’ body, tenderly expressed their sorrow for any part they have in this and all the crucifixions happening in our world today.
And finally, I participated in Easter Vigil night—night subdued in lighting, hushed with expectation. The seven scriptural readings proclaim the beginning of life, the story of dry bones reuniting, God’s incredible mercy continuing to lead all of us to life-giving waters. The stories end; the church spotlights erupt in brilliant light; the bells ring out from tower and pew as Father proclaims (in Arabic) “Christ has risen!” The people clap boldly, happily. Yes,…death is not the last word. Christ is alive, well among us. He is risen, walks with us, and promises to remain with us always.
I felt so blessed to experience these faith-filled people, to see how they relive, remember, make real, deepen their faith and relationship with Jesus throughout all these rituals. Oh, how I await with these Christians their full liberation from this present Occupation!
