The Hatred Must End (11/11/2023)

From our “safe place” we watch the wars a world away in Ukraine and now especially in Israel. We wonder what we can do as we watch the evening news and see the scenes of carnage daily. And I wonder, will this be the moment when our world remembers our origins, Love itself, and vows that the hatred must end?

I haven’t written much about the war in Israel; however, it has consumed my thoughts for most of my days since October 7th. The atrocities committed that day out of pure hatred should disturb even the most hardened of hearts because their only motive was pure hatred of another based on ethnicity and religion. I believe the words of the Israelis who claim that their target in this war is Hamas, the agent of hate who committed the murders and kidnapping of October 7th, the group that seeks the extermination of a whole people. I believe that they are trying to do all they can to avoid the death of innocent civilians; however, I also see Hamas purposely hiding among these innocents daring Israel to come for them. And I mourn the loss of every innocent civilian caught in harm's way.

And at home, here in the United States, I see a rise in antisemitism, and I pray to the LORD for enlightenment of the people. How can this be? How have we come to a place in this nation founded on freedom especially of thought and religion? I wonder how many within those mobs demonstrating and harassing Jewish students on campuses and even killing one Jewish man at a demonstration with a megaphone know that Jesus lived his life in the territory we call Israel today as a humble Jewish man.

Most of all, I wonder and I ponder how we came to be so divided, so open to division, so intolerant, so filled with hatred. And daily, all I can do is pray to the LORD for a return to the essentials of love of the LORD and one another. I pray for an end to hatred among us, within us, targeting our own sisters and brothers.

The conflict of our world may be a world away, but it is still our world. It involves us. And I pray that we who believe in one LORD, Father, Son, and Spirit, and who believe in our LORD’s love for us, will turn back with all our hearts and seek through the power of the Spirit a path to peace and a path to a world marked by loving respect and loving kindness.

May we all lift our voice in earnest prayer and petition to our all-present, all-knowing, and all-loving LORD for help, for the eradication of hatred in our world and a restoration of peace, of wholeness, without division, and respect for one another not in spite of our difference but rather because of our uniqueness that has the potential to enrich us as the community of humanity, created in the image and likeness of our LORD. May we also commit to doing all we can wherever we find ourselves and to work for unity and to call for an end to hatred. May our days be dedicated to doing good, all the good we can find to do. And may we be steadfast in doing so as long as hatred is afoot in our world.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.