March 3, 2002

A reproduction of the Orthodox icon “The Wise Son” (known to us in the West as the “Prodigal Son”).

We worshiped today with the community at St. George's Orthodox Church. The lectionary was the story which most of us know as the Prodigal Son (interestingly known as "The Wise Son" in Arabic - because he returns in the end) from Luke 15. In some ways, the Western Church has played the role of the younger son, heading off to a far off land to live in splendor while forgetting the mother (father?) church here. The Eastern Church, like the older son, has stayed in the land of its birth and ministered faithfully. When we from the West do come to visit, the welcome we get is much like that of the younger son's - the overwhelming generosity of Arabic hospitality.

Elizabeth and Jakleen survey their lands outside of town and all that they’re growing.

Today was no exception - after church, we headed off to Abuna To'mie Daoud's family land on the road towards Misilye. He's building a house there, with a chapel for daily prayer. They have a well for water, olive and almond and fruit trees, garlic and onion and spinach and potato plants, and they're going to build a chicken house. Abuna To'mie also showed off their homemade wine and vinegar from their own grapes. Self-sufficiency. They've invited us to come live with them, too! We dined on traditional musakhan, made of bread fried with olive oil, onions, sumac, and almonds and topped with chicken.

Fr. Tom’ie resting after our lunch picnic.

From their land, we could see the Jenin-Zababdeh traffic. Very light - taxis going and coming, but few passengers. No one much wants to take a chance on getting caught there.

Later in town, one of our fellow Orthodox worshipers discovered Marthame had fasted like the Orthodox without receiving communion. He was baffled: "why would you put yourself through that without the reward of the eucharist?"

"Because I'm not Orthodox."

"Nonsense! You fasted like the Orthodox, and you are a Christian. That's enough." Now we know.