I recently saw a social media post by a prominent Israeli leader urging his people to sign a petition to take the Israeli Government to the International Court of Justice, arguing Israelis needed to take this stand to find their souls, rather than lose them as he believes is currently the case.  He rejected any shame for his call to action; rather, he said, the burden of shame lies with the Israeli government and the IDF who are currently inflicting horrific, unacceptable and inhumane suffering on the people of Gaza. The suffering is beyond any reasonable standards of justice for the unbelievable horror inflicted by Hamas on the Israeli people by their murderous rampage killing over 1200 people, and raping, torturing and kidnapping of over 200 hostages on 7 October 2023.  With around 62,000 Palestinians killed since that date, and hundreds of thousands injured, starving and without food or medical aid in the last few months, the disproportionate response, vengeance and punishment is beyond any measured demand for justice. 

John’s Gospel story (5:1-9) is about the man who waited 38 years at the side of the pool in Beth-zatha, in Jerusalem next to the Sheep Gate for the possibility of healing in its waters. We are reminded of human persistence in the face of suffering for many people.  38 years was a long time and he was waiting because his disability prevented him from being the first to reach the waters when they stirred.  When this happened, people suffering with blindness, lameness, paralysis were healed, but others were always quicker. He never made it in time.