13 May, 2009
Be Salty
Pope vows to fight anti-Semitism
Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Israel on Monday, starting a historic five-day pilgrimage by calling for peace, an end to anti-Semitism, and freedom of worship and understanding between religions.
"Thank you for your warm welcome to Israel, a land which is holy to millions," Benedict said. "I come, like so many others before me, to pray at the holy places, to pray especially for peace - peace here in the Holy Land, and peace throughout the world," the pope continued, adding that although the name Jerusalem meant "city of peace," it was all too evident that peace had eluded the region.
Benedict called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian homeland immediately after he arrived in Israel, a stance that could put him at odds with his hosts on a trip aimed at easing strains between the Vatican and Jews.
Benedict urged Israelis and Palestinians to "explore every possible avenue" to resolve their differences in remarks at the airport after he landed.
"The hopes of countless men, women and children for a more secure and stable future depend on the outcome of negotiations for peace," he said. "In union with people of goodwill everywhere, I plead with all those responsible to explore every possible avenue in the search for a just resolution of the outstanding difficulties, so that both peoples may live in peace in a homeland of their own within secure and internationally recognized borders."
The pope also took on the issue of the Holocaust, pledging to "honor the memory" of the six million Jewish victims of the Nazi genocide.
"Tragically, the Jewish people have experienced the terrible consequences of ideologies that deny the fundamental dignity of every human person," he said. "It is right and fitting that, during my stay in Israel, I will have the opportunity to honor the memory of the six million Jewish victims of the Shoah, and to pray that humanity will never again witness a crime of such magnitude."
story courtesy of - http://www.jpost.com/
photo courtesy of - http://www.vatican.va/
Mark 9:50 (ESV)
"Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you
make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one
another."
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about being salty?
For those of us outside the world of Middle East politics, the Pope's comments regarding an independent Palestinian state don't seem like much of an issue. However for those individuals caught up in the complexities of the situation in Israel/Palestine, the Pope's comments are grounds for no small amount of dialogue, debate, and dispute. Simply put, the Pope is taking a clear stand on a divisive issue that affects the lives of thousands. The Pope is calling for peace, reconciliation, and "a just resolution" of conflict. In other words, the Pope is being salty.
Salt brings flavors to life and salt preserves. You could say that salt has an affect, or influence, on whatever it touches.
In today's story we see that the Pope is seeking to influence a region torn apart by bitter divisions with the radical love and peace of Christ. The Pope is calling for a laying down of arms and a commitment to seeking forgiveness and reconciliation.
We are called to do the same.
We are called to influence our friends, our families, and even our enemies with the love of Jesus - through our speech and our actions. We are called to be salty!
- Be salty today. Affect your friends with the love of Jesus.
- Sit down with your youth pastor or CL Director and ask them about how they try to "be salty".
- Look for ways that your friends positively affect others; tell them how much you appreciate it.
- Invite a friend along with you as you "salt" the earth around you through service and action.
- March 2010 [9]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [20]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
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- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
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- June 2006 [3]
