Grace without conversion
Father Emil, wearing his long black cassock, was leading us through his new Palestinian school. He’s a winsome priest from Jordan who could pass for a young Omar Sharif.
Over the years our Presbyterian congregation in Washington, D.C., and his Roman Catholic parish in the West Bank have developed a strong partnership. We contributed to the construction of this parish’s school; they stretched our understanding of the gospel.
Our little delegation from Washington shuffled down the stone halls of the new school, occasionally peering into a crowded classroom, hoping to catch the eye of a young student who might dare a smile or subtle wave. Father Emil was walking backward as he led our tour, telling us about all of the hope the school provides to families who live amid so much poverty and frequent outbreaks of violence.
