04.11.2025

‘Planning by the Spirit – Enlightened by hope’ – Majma of the Diocese of Jerusalem

The Majma (Synod) of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem took place last week (opening on September 27) in Amman in Jordan. Archbishop Michael Jackson was invited to attend as part of the long partnership between Dublin and Glendalough and the Diocese of Jerusalem. He was one of a number of visitors representing partner dioceses and organisations.

The Majma draws together laity and clergy from all five countries of the diocese – Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. The theme of this year’s gathering was ‘Planning by the Spirit – Enlightened by hope’.

During the opening Service of Holy Communion in Al–Fadi Redeemer Church in Amman, the Archbishops and Priests renewed their vows and the oils used in services throughout the year were consecrated.

The Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, Archbishop Hosam Naoum, delivered his sermon on the text of the Gospel of John [1: 35–38] and talked about the work of the church. “In this church complex, over the next four days, we meet not only to make plans, but to discover together what the Holy Spirit wants for our church in this dear city; that is, here and now,” he said.

Archbishop Jackson brought greetings to members of the Majma from Dublin and Glendalough. You can read his message here.

Lament: “What our people have endured over the past years up to this very day gives the words ‘trial’ and ‘tribulation’ an entirely new dimension”

During the Majma, a powerful lament was offered by Archdeacon Imad Zorab, Rector of Beirut and Archdeacon of Lebanon and Syria. His text was Matthew 6:25 – ‘And He said to His disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.”’

“What our people have endured over the past years up to this very day gives the words “trial” and “tribulation” an entirely new dimension that transcends description and comprehension. And here arises the Church’s role—to be a pillar, a comfort, and a warm embrace kindled by the love of Christ. Yes—but how can we soothe the heart of someone whose life has been shattered by an overwhelming trial?” Archdeacon Imad asked.

Referring to his text, he asked what the church could say to an elderly man whose savings were stolen and house destroyed by war; or the mother who sent her children away to find a better life or who endures the unbearable torment of longing to see her daughter who is behind bars; or to the man kneeling on the soil of Gaza washing its earth with his tears; or to the people whose only wish is to find a single grain of wheat.

“Forgive us, oh Lord, for we with a faithful heart do lift our hearts toward You, singing hymns and proclaiming: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Indeed, the words of Christ, which adorn the pages of the Holy Scriptures—especially those in the Gospel of Luke the physician—are undoubtedly the light that guides us through the darkness of this age toward a better life. Yet our human minds—formed by the values of freedom, equality, and the right to life—can no longer comprehend the enormity of trials that strip away every spark of vitality, holding us accountable for every heartbeat that flows within us,” he said.

He continued: “And in such moments, we may fall—even if only for a moment—under the heavy weight of numbness, spiritual disorientation, and loss of meaning. At that point, one either stops before the wall of weakness and surrender, or becomes like a sail moved by a divine breeze—a Pentecostal wind stirring the boat of one’s life toward hope and the dawn of a new day.

“Nothing can restore consciousness, life, hope, and faith to a lost heart except the Holy Spirit—who blows where He wills—reviving the lifeless body and raising the fallen person once more, brushing off the dust of weakness and fate’s trials, lifting his eyes toward heaven with tears flowing down his cheeks, hoping they might find their way to his heart to cool its pain, and crying out with steadfast faith: ‘Thy will be done.’.”

You can read Archdeacon Imad’s Lament (with kind permission) in full here. Please note that it is translated to English from Arabic.

Meditation: “We must be sure to turn our eyes upon Jesus and look full in his wonderful face”

Canon Dr Don Binder, who is Chaplain to the Archbishop of Jerusalem and who visited Dublin and Glendalough last year as part of the joint clergy retreat, gave a meditation drawing on two passages of Scripture, one from Luke and one from Matthew. In Luke’s Gospel the Pharisees warn Jesus that Herod plans to kill him. Canon Binder said that the Pharisees issued Jesus with a political warning about the powers and principalities of the world but Jesus didn’t stoop to the political level. Instead he continued with his ministry.

The passage from Matthew’s Gospel focused on the parable of the wise and foolish builders one of whom builds his house on the rock and the other on the sand.

The message for today is, he said, “with all the death and destruction of the past two years; with all the power plays and political moves that the powers and principalities around us have made; with all of these, we must take care to keep our focus. We must be sure to turn our eyes upon Jesus and look full in his wonderful face”.

Canon Binder said this would not make the troubles of the world go away and they would continue to weep over Gaza, the West Bank, and over all in the region who have suffered so sorely over the past two years. “But we shouldn’t heed the temptation to play their game. We must remember to build our house, our church, our diocese on the rock of the Gospel—on the firm foundation of our Jesus Christ our Lord,” he stated.

He continued: “As we know from Archbishop Hosam’s inaugural Scripture verse, our Lord came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. By continuing to build our foundation on the rock of our salvation, we as Christians and as a diocese will continue to advance that mission, driven by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit. May God give us all the grace to hold fast to that vision and persevere in the midst of all the many adversities that continue to surround us. Amen.”

You can read Canon Binder’s meditation (with his kind permission) here.