"As the days have given way to weeks, to months, to years, my feet have come to know well the terrain of stone throughout Nazareth, the steps, the winding roads that seem too narrow for anything but people on foot. Often I have imagined Jesus walking these paths, with grimy feet from the inevitable mingling of sweat and dust, hearing the music of voices inside houses, smiling at the children who stand in the open doorways or peak around from the corners.

Today, for the first time in two weeks, I set out toward town. The road seems to me to have changed beneath my feet, sad, with bits of fruit and shards of glass littering the way. The great weight of fear and hatred seems so strong in the air, covering over the usual sweet aromas of garlic and herbs. The events of the past. two weeks- the protest demonstrations, the senseless killing of innocent people, the cycles of retaliation, have become like a great shroud over this place.

As I listened to my sandals against the stone, I suddenly felt that I could not hear the footfalls of Jesus beside me. The question again rises to the surface of my mind, "Where is He in all of this?" Suddenly, I saw something I had not seen before because I was looking on the surface only, which though incredibly real and painful is not the full reality. I saw then that when I asked the question I was looking for Him to come in the way I thought he should come-- bringing justice and restoring peace.  And this is also the reason many could not see, really see Him when He walked this land 2000 years ago. They also were looking for someone who would set the world right- restore justice, bring peace and prosperity.  Indeed, one day He will do these things. His tears then and, I can only imagine, now, are evidence of His grief over all that is wrong in the world. Yes, He came and still comes not to change the world by force but to seek the hearts of those living in it, to bring peace to their souls, that no earthly peace agreement could bring.

I had reached the end of the market and the shop of a woman I usually speak to.  Sadness was etched in her face as she said to me, "What will they do now to get rid of this hate? The children will grow up and remember all of this. 

How can their hearts change?" Then I thought of Jesus sitting on the hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee, speaking words no one had heard before, a message so radical because no one in their own power could fulfill them.  It was a message that only those who had known the piercing gaze of transforming love in the eyes of Jesus knew was possible.  "Love your enemies." 

In this land where Jesus left His footprints, will you also pray that. the people would hear His call upon their hearts. There is no other way to healing and peace.

(In 1999-2000 Lisa Fahnestock spent 14 months as a volunteer at the Nazareth Hospital working in the laboratory and the day care kindergarten. )