May 22, 2025

Changing the world

It is saddening, infuriating, and even disorienting to see world events that are almost completely out of our control hurting so many people. I would love to stand on top of Mount Zion and scream “STOP!!!” at the top of my lungs and be heard and listened to, but that isn’t how the world works. It didn’t even work for God. But that doesn’t mean we are helpless. We cannot change the world, but we can change someone’s world.

At this month’s Interfaith Clergy United meeting, Ibrahim Hamide shared with us news from his sister in Bethlehem, his hometown. Although Bethlehem is not in Gaza, she has seen the starvation there first hand. There is food to be had, but no money to buy it with. Ibe gave the example of tomatoes that cost $30/kilo. People are dying, not from bombs and bullets but from malnourishment and hunger. Children are being especially hard hit. We cannot stop the war and change the world, but we can change a child’s world. 

Ibe promised to send suggestions of how to effectively support food aid in Gaza, and when he does I will pass the information along. Until then, although their work is primarily providing health care through hospitals rather than food aid, Episcopal Relive and Development is working in Gaza in cooperation with the Diocese of Jerusalem. You can contribute to their Middle East Fund here. If you would like to be sure your donations go to food relief, you can contribute through the United Nations World Food Programme and other organizations. More information will come as I receive it.

We cannot change The World, but we can change someone’s world, and changing their world will change our own. Instead of living in impotent sadness and fury, we will live in the kingdom of God.