Weekly devotion: How can we clothe ourselves in compassion?
This week we pray for Musalaha Ministry of Reconciliation, which brings together women from across the divide of the Israel-Palestine conflict and provides space for them to share their experiences.
In this week between International Women’s Day and Mothering Sunday in the UK, we are focussing on a meaningful grassroots project that recognises women’s potential as leaders of peace. With further conflict destabilising the Middle East over the past week, this work is more important than ever.
Embrace partner Musalaha Ministry of Reconciliation, based in Jerusalem, recruits small groups of Palestinian and Israeli women to explore together the powerful role women can play in achieving justice.
Their experience begins with a five-day Desert Encounter where they share meals and work together to learn about ‘the other side’. This takes courage in a context where fear and suspicion are deep-rooted, and cultural norms have often limited women’s engagement in social and political life.
Through the heartfelt conversations that take place within the neutral environment of the Desert Encounter, understanding and empathy start to form; the women meet again in a series of workshops throughout the year, where they receive training in leadership and conflict resolution. The programme concludes with joint community outreach, leaving the women well-equipped to continue campaigning and influencing others. Amidst continued escalations of violence and injustice, Musalaha is striving to bring women’s wisdom and skills to the forefront.
Bible reading
‘Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.’
Colossians 3:13-16
Thought
Forgiveness is not easy. It asks us to let go of hurt and to trust God with justice. This passage from Colossians tells us to forgive each other by ‘clothing’ ourselves with love – in other words, we have to make an active choice to put on the qualities of compassion and humility, not just wait for them to happen.
The women in Musalaha’s reconciliation programme are choosing to learn and understand each other in a context shaped by a history of deep pain. Their courage shows how reconciliation begins quietly, in hearts willing to listen and forgive. World peace can seem an unattainable ideal, but peace practised daily at home and in our communities can be more lasting than any grand political gesture.
Ask yourself: How can you choose to clothe yourself with compassion for those on the ‘other side’ this week?
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You have forgiven us more than we can measure. Clothe us with humility and compassion, and soften our hearts so that resentment can flow away. Give us courage to take the first step to understand others. We ask you to bless Musalaha and the women working towards reconciliation, and teach us to become peacemakers in the conflicts we encounter.
Amen
Support the work of Musalaha
Your Present. Their Future.
Alternative gifts are a way to give something meaningful to a loved one and directly support the work of our partners. The Making Peace Alternative Gift supports Musalaha’s work and is the perfect gift for someone with a passion for reconciliation and peacemaking.
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