Together, Pursuing Life in the Face of Death
Iconographer: Nicola Juha of Bethlehem
Palestinian Christians speak of Easter as the “Major Holiday” (Eid el Kabir), while Christmas is the “Minor Holiday.” From Lent and Passion Week to Easter, followed by the Ascension and beyond to Pentecost, the entire season commemorates the suffering of Christ, his crucifixion, death, and ultimately glorious resurrection: Jesus' victory over the forces of violence, empire, and death. Celebrating the resurrection this past Sunday, the Western Church has now entered the Easter season; meanwhile, the Eastern Church remains in the midst of Great Lent waiting for Easter (or Pascha) to arrive in May. Finding ourselves between two Easters, we recall the victorious resurrection of Christ and we look forward in hope to the resurrection to come.
Yet, we are overwhelmed by death.
Collectively, Palestinians are living through an extremely arduous time. In Gaza, they are facing the onslaught of a brutal genocide: massive bombardment, forced homelessness, the destruction of homes, institutions, livelihoods, hospitals, and schools, and the flattening of entire neighborhoods. On top of this, Gazans are facing starvation, the denial of water, medicine, food, and basic supplies, as they are faced once again with the threat of forced expulsion. In the West Bank, settlers run amok and are threatening a similar genocide, reminiscent of the Nakba in 1948. In such circumstances, it is difficult to maintain hope or trust in the ultimate victory of justice.
Yet, this remains our faith.
In these horrifying times FOSNA has maintained its public witness, proclaiming from day one that violence is not the answer and will never succeed. We have stood firm in the prophetic call for justice, liberation, and peace, proclaiming a message of hope in the face of despair.
We remain committed to education, to countering the dehumanizing lies, self-serving narratives, and destructive theologies and ideologies that result in the destruction of the Palestinian people. But, we have not limited ourselves to this. In addition to our writing campaigns, we have organized, assisted, supported, and carried out, together with our friends and partners, activities of protest, vigils, and direct actions demanding an end to the slaughter, to the inhuman restrictions on food, water, and medical supplies, and the release of all hostages and prisoners. We have challenged our leaders as well as our churches for their timidity and complicity in the ongoing genocide.
As supporters, members, and friends, thank you for joining us in our efforts. Your financial support keeps us going. Thank you for your active and ongoing participation in our campaigns for justice and peace. And, thank you for your ongoing prayers as we continue together in this mission, pursuing life in the face of death and proclaiming together with our Christian Palestinian siblings:
Al Maseeh Qam. Haqqan Qam.
Christ is Risen. He is risen indeed.
READ: "This Easter, Palestinian Christians Will Be Praying for Palestine’s Resurrection," by Jonathan Kuttab in Truthout. Easter should be a time of hope, but in Gaza death and destruction reign.