Echoes Of Andrew Corsie

On Wednesday we visited the holy site of the Baptism of Jesus. An interesting place that offers the suggestion that the place where John baptised Jesus was ‘just about there’. There in fact 2 places; one where it might have happened and where Christians have come to visit and conduct baptisms going back to the Early Church and another where the River Jordan now runs. The first place, in my opinion, is more likely as you can see that the Jordan did flow through that place quite freely, but doesn’t any more. Also I am inclined to trust the early Christians. The second place is where the Jordan now runs, but that has been diverted by the Israelis due to their claim on the water – as far as I understand it..
It is worth noting that at the time of Jesus national boundaries were understand differently, if at all. That Jesus came to what we now call Jordan is obvious. Other biblical characters originated here, so what we understand as ‘The Holy Land’ is important and needs to be broadened.
In a world of conflict the commercial benefits to having a claim on a special site is huge and the political issues that are related usually complicate this further. It is good that the Pope came here a few years ago and authenticated the site in the presence of the King of Jordan who has done much to protect it as a ‘holy site’ and is not over exploited commercially.
When we came to the River Jordan it was interesting to see such a small river. On the Israeli side they have gone to a lot of trouble to develop the experience. The Jordanian side has a wooden construction to keep out the sun, and a sizeable baptismal font for any baptisms that are booked. It is far less sophisticated. On both sides is the presence of the military. The Jordanian soldiers are placed approx. 200 meters away and the Israeli ones were sitting opposite looking at us.
I looked at both and reminded myself that after baptising someone we share the Peace. Terminology is important because in places of conflict it is crucial, when speaking of ‘peace’ to be clear on the meaning of peace. Common to Jews and Christians is the phrase, “Peace be with you” and for Muslims the phrase, “Asalaam Aleikum”, means the same. However, when you look at our shared history it begs the question as to whether or not we are all meaning the same thing. In thinking about the bloodshed and violence we have meted out to each other throughout history, one wonders if ‘peace’ connotes the same thing to all of us? I wonder whether a lack of consensus and clarity about the concept helps us to appreciate why there is an absence of peace in the world?
For some it means a lack of violence, held together by strong institutions maintaining stability and relative safety. For others it is related to a state of tranquility where there is no disagreement or dispute. Conflict is rejected and people live in a place of calm. And for others it goes beyond a preoccupation with an absence, but rather the transformation of destructive situations and relationships into more co-operative and constructive ones.
Peace and peacemaking are not about having techniques that are used to sort out differences when conflict erupts. People in this region hear a lot about Peace Plans or Roadmaps etc. It seems to me that peace is a philosophy, a way of living with values and principles which provides a way to understand, analise and regulate human relationships in order to create a more human world.
This helps me when thinking about those 2 sets of soldiers divided by a little muddy river, but much more than that. I was desperate to stand in the middle of the river and get them on either side to talk to each other – but our Tour Guide wanted us to move on and I was warned about being bitten by catfish! I may still get my chance as Br.Andrew the Institute’s Director has been discussing with me a church presence near to this site where people from all backgrounds can come together and meet each other. I have suggested a concept for this and he is interested. Each of those soldiers will have their own view as to what constitutes peace. I wonder what they are?
What peace? What kind of peace?
FYI – the swim in the Dead Sea later was brilliant!! The soft oily water, and the mud made my skin so smooth – I had a great time!!