A son, Absalom, who kills his brother, the brother who had assaulted their sister, and who will eventually seek to overthrow his father, David, the King. The King seeks to bring back his son only to have Absalom killed in battle by the king's soldiers. It is the stuff of novels and underlies today's news as well: Nations with boundaries created across tribal, familial regions, tribal hatred and retribution (Our young people who went to Taize' learned that the 'tribes' of northern Europe are not all that enamored with each other).  The Daily Office Lectionary is following this story of which we heard one scene this past Sunday: "Absalom, my son, my son... Would that I had died instead of you."

As I listened last Thursday to Reda Mansour, Israeli Ambassador to the Southeast of the US, speaking at UNC Asheville, I sensed the same kind of conflict depth in a region which has known bloodshed, familial and tribal for millennia, a region that seems to be a microcosm of the whole human situation.  I sensed the presence of those who long/yearn for peace and who are willing to offer their heart, souls and lives for it, those who strive for restoration amid incalculable odds.  As well, I sensed those who are unable to forgive, or at least move beyond the inflictions of the present and past- it is a region I judge slowly while still having convictions concerning its life. 

What I appreciated about the Ambassador, whose vitae states he has a long record of passionate work engaging Arabs and Jews in dialogue, was a certain humility about thinking any posture, any course was without risk or without cost.  He was clear in his convictions, and yet I sensed a spirit whose longing for restoration allowed him to understand no one can see all that is to be seen in this or any other conflict in life, and yet who continues to have hope and work diligently from that hope.

When asked about President Obama's recent trip to the middle east, going to other countries while not yet traveling to Israel, he stated, "We Israelis have to understand and learn to accept that this President will be in relationship with a wider array of countries in this region, and this is, in the long run, a good thing for all of us in the region."  It was a view from one whose eyes are on something larger than any present moment.

Those who dare to seek restoration in any manner will always pay a cost, a very deep cost, be it David, an Ambassador, or you, or me.

When approaching restoration, reconciliation we do well to cry out with the Psalmist invoked in our liturgy last Sunday, "Out of the depths have I called to you, O Lord.  For there is forgiveness with you.  I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for the Lord, in God's word is my hope."

Peace,

Todd Donatelli