Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.” – Psalm 122:6

Today’s Scripture Reading (May 8, 2016): Psalm 122 & 123

Priests performing the Aaronic Blessing: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Last week, the Jews of Jerusalem celebrated the Passover with a ritual sacrifice of the Passover Lamb on the Mount of Olives. The sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb has been occurring in the past, but usually in a private location and ceremony. But this year a public sacrifice was performed. Besides being a public service, which hundreds a Jews both attended and financed, this year’s sacrifice was special because of the location. While the Mount of Olives is not the traditional location of the sacrifice, it is close, and it overlooks the traditional site of the sacrifice – Temple Mount. But for now sacrificing the Lamb on Temple Mount is an impossibility. Jews are not even allowed to pray on the Mountain, currently dominated by Islamic Holy places. But this year it was so close that the Jewish priests could dream about the day when the impossible might be possible. According to the priests, it would not take the rebuilding of the Temple in order to have the Paschal Sacrifice performed there, just an altar that could be set up in about an hour. But first, the laws regarding activities permitted on temple Mount would have to change. This year during the Passover celebrations, several Jews were removed from Temple Mount for trying to pray there. However, it was also reported that one rabbi was successful in secretly performing a marriage on the sacred site – an action that neither the Muslims nor even some of the Jewish leaders are happy about.

Jerusalem is probably the holiest city on earth. It is claimed as central to three faiths. For both Judaism and Christianity, there is no place on the planet that is holier. For Islam, Jerusalem’s significance follows only Mecca and Medina. In fact, originally Mohammad had his followers kneel in the direction of Jerusalem as they prayed. It was only later, after a conflict between Mohammad and the Jews, that instructions were changed to kneel in the direction of Mecca.

Jerusalem was the prize that the Crusades were fought over. And while that dark moment in Christianity might be long past, it is still a prize that the faiths struggle over. And David’s instructions to pray for the peace of Jerusalem probably mean even more today than when David wrote the words in this Psalm. Jerusalem and faiths that call her holy are still in need of our prayers for peace.

And while the Priests of Judaism are instructed pray the Aaronic blessing over the people of Israel, maybe it would be an appropriate prayer for all of us to pray over Jerusalem, the people who inhabit and visit the city, and all of the rest of us who call her holy:

“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
 the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
 the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”   

-          Numbers 6:24-26

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 124 & 125