Pilgrimage

Have you ever gone on a pilgrimage?  Alone?  In a group?  Why? 

Over the Easter weekend I joined the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage  (https://www.gazaceasefirepilgrimage.com ).  It was a global activity, started by a New Zealander James Harris “who, heartbroken and feeling helpless was moved to walk the 22 mile distance of Gaza to Rafah in prayerful solidarity.”  Sometimes, sometimes, dear reader, the heartfelt feelings of a good person can inspire action throughout the world. 

So, why did I join?  Being totally helpless to do anything to stop the world’s death and killing, this hopelessness was starting to suffocate and deaden my spirit into an emotionless zombie. I had the choice of fiercely suppressing these feelings, turning my back on them and pretending they weren’t there.  After all it didn’t have anything to do with me, did it? Ain’t it awful! This “nothing to do with me” attitude does nothing for my soul’s development and could lead eventually to self loneliness and victimisation. 

Alternative:  I could take my own body on a sacred journey with a wish to align myself with the world’s suffering —  maybe to develop a clearer understanding of what it’s like to be fully earthed in Humanity. 

Besides.  I had never “done” a pilgrimage.  Trying something new also develops a better-rounded personality.  Now, scanning back over the rich tapestry of my already-lived life, I realized that I had never been on anything like this before. 

Although I didn’t know what to expect, what did happen surprised myself into astonishment.   Outside the Cathedral, waiting to march, were people holding double-sided banners with the names of 13 000 of the 16 000 children who had been killed by the war, listed by age group, starting with 0.  “This isn’t up to date,” said Setish also waiting to march.   “We have more to add.”

So, what did I do?  I burst into tears.  I don’t cry easily.  I never do.  But I did today.

The walk through the city was certainly different.  It seemed that image of Gaza was somehow superimposed on Hereford. I followed the energetic drumming band as we moved through streets that were whole, not crushed to ruins.  Our hospital was intact.  We had bottles of clean water to drink any time we were thirsty.  Restaurants lined our pathway, urging us to come in and eat.  We had money to do so. Above us was the occasional airplane carrying passengers, not bombs to drop on us. We were not hated.

And the children!  Sweet, healthy, smiling children!  With each one I met, I remembered again the thousands of their fellow children killed, some still buried in rubble, who wouldn’t smile again.

And now those who remain are “paper-thin” starving.

I was wrapped up in the experience, maybe because I too have lived through bombings. Whatever the reason it did much to counter-act my watered-down sense of responsibility for others.  I am so grateful to friend  Julie who felt strongly enough to give up everything to organize the 22 mile walk in just a week or two, at this, the Church’s most active time of year.  Stopping stations.  Overnight stays.  Cooks for the pilgrim meals.  Car pick-up points.  Prayers.  Funding opportunities for those who expressed solidarity for the mission. Publicity.  Posters.  All of this, putting our city on the map, stirring our hearts to join with other Julies and James Harrises around the globe –ordinary people expressing revulsion at the unnecessary genocide continuing ceaselessly.

(Journey’s end of the 22 mile walk in safety)

Added thought:  if you ever go on a pilgrimage, allow it to change you! 

Afghan Bread

Also occurring during Easter week was the joy of leading an intrepid team of supporters into making a Middle Eastern Meal for 30, to commemorate the Maundy Thursday’s communion service which took place within the meal.  Here is Mirriam Seddiq’s version of Afghan Bread.  This is the first time I’ve ever sprinkled seeds on dough which didn’t fall off and bounce all over the floor.  I love her Youtube demonstration.  She’s fun!  Afghan Bread Naan Recipe (youtube.com)

Ingredients

EITHER

1 Tablespoon instant yeast   and 1 tablespoon sugar dissolved in ½ cup water.  Let it foam

OR, depending on the kind of yeast you have,

Add 2 pkts of instant yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar directly to

2 cups white flour

2 cups wholewheat flour

2 teaspoons salt

Stir in ¼ cup oil.  (Olive oil may give it a better taste).

Start mixing in some warm water, being sure it is fully included in the dry ingredients before adding more.  When the dough leaves the sides of the bowl, knead it awhile on a flour-dusted surface.  You should have a smooth ball of dough with a slight skin on it.  You cannot over-knead bread dough.

Grease your bowl and put the dough in it Cover it so it doesn’t dry out. Let it rest and rise.

When you plunge a finger into the dough and the hole doesn’t close up again, the bread is ready for the next step.  (anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 ½ hours)

Decant onto a floured surface, divide in half or quarters and stretch each half into a large oval about an inch thick.

Place on slightly oiled baking paper, supported by a cookie sheet. 

Oven on about 400 – 425 degrees F, or a bit over 200 degrees C.

Now make a mixture of yogurt with milk (about 2/3 yogurt to 1/3 milk).  Brush this on the stretched loaves.  Sprinkle with black sesame seeds, nigella seeds,  or the Seed of Your Desire! 

Let the breads rise for 10 minutes or so before putting them into the oven.

Slide the baking paper off the cookie sheet and directly onto the oven rack.  Bake about 12 minutes but check after 10.  Keep an eye on them because the over-brown very quickly.  Cool on a rack.  People say that eating bread straight from the oven is very bad for you.  But we all do it.