Two weeks ago, Saint Andrew Parish opened up our new playlot on the southwest corner of our school. In doing so and in a sudden instant, we unleashed a symphony of joyous sounds made by children running around, sliding, climbing, and jumping up and down full of delight. The sounds haven't stopped. Evetime I go by there, the lightness of children playing is contagious and life-giving. It is a blessing to our community!

It stands in start contrast to the feelings I have when I scroll through my news feed and see the tragedy of war escalading between Israel and Gaza. The images stun me, especially since I have vivid memories of visiting both Israel and Palestine. Within those hallowed memories are sketches of both Israeli and Palestinian children playing on playlots similar to our own, each within their own territories. 

First, may I speak unambiguously. The attack on Israel was an abomination. The trauma caused to the entire nation is one of which many of us can clearly identify. The same feelings that we now see in our Israeli friends (and even our US Jewish neighbors) also once erupted in the citizens of the United States after the attacks of September 11, 2001. There is no doubt in my mind that Hamas is a terrorist organization and a venomous stain on humanity. 

When September 11 happened, I was working at Saint Ignatius parish and we quickly mobilized that same day to have a Mass in the evening. We invited everyone to pray, not knowing what would come next. During the Mass, one of the most disquieting moments of the day transpired.  The pastor of the parish, Fr. Jerome Listecki (now the archbishop of Milwaukee) said in his homily "And let us also remember to follow Christ's example and to pray for our enemies." 

I was floored and I think the entire congregation was too. How do we pray for our enemies? How do we accept a call to love those who would do us harm especially with destabilizing trauma at the scale of 9-11? 

For me, this radical path to peace starts with the sounds of the playlot. When I recall my time in Israel and in Palestine, I can recall specific moments that I spent at Catholic parishes in both territories. The communities were holding special events and during these celebrations, children were playing, making joyful noises, jumping up and down with delight. The common link beyond all our differences is this - we all love our children. They are our hope manifest. 

Every day since the recent attack in Israel, I pray for peace. I would never condone Hamas, but I pray that the Israelis will somehow forge a new future rooted in forgiveness and healing. I pray that with an invasion into Gaza immanent, the soldiers may happen upon a vacant playlot in the territory of Palestine and recall what it is meant for - the joyful being of children. For indeed, the same playlots exist in Israel and here on the corner of Hermitage and Addison. These playlots are reminders that war keeps us from the joy and laughter that we were intended to posses as children of God. 

Our playlot here at Saint Andrew is a gift that reveals God's presence. In this way, we might call it sacramental. We should cherish it and not in some vain way of distraction from the world's problems, but a reminder of what we hope for. That all may play in lasting peace with joyful abandon as children of God. 

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