John of Patmos wrote this  marvelous image of a vision he’d received, “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life . . . the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” Revelation 22:1-2

John’s vision is rich in imagery, and imagination. He sees a time of peace, and serenity, of plenty and of broken nations healing . . . Healing from the impacts of war, violence, and retribution. In this tranquil vision, all live in peace. Trees are active participants in bringing  healing to the nations.  It is a place, where nations  have put down their swords, and their armaments . . . choosing peace over war.

As I write this, the war between Israel and Hamas has gone on for nineteen months. Over 53,000 people have died in Gaza, including 24,000 women and children.   There have been few moments of peace, and while tears are shed on both sides of this war, the greater trauma is in Gaza.

No amount of the world’s outrage, no quantity of the world’s condemnation, no volume of anger has been able to stop Israel’s determination to obliterate all of Gaza.

A new administration in Washington has only made things far worse for the people in Gaza. Meanwhile,  the United States Congress is attempting to criminalize protests against Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Today’s administration has redefined protests against the brutality of Israel’s war crimes, as pro terrorist, instead of a cry for the lost children of Gaza. While asking us to ignore pictures of starving and dying children, in the arms of their mothers and fathers.

I ache for the day when the brutalities of this war ends, and the people of both Gaza and Israel can live in peace and prosperity. I ache for the day when the world says enough, enough of violence, enough of slaughter, enough of the degradation of human life.

John’s vision takes place in the land that we call holy. It is a utopian vision, where people choose to live in peace with one another, the water of life flows, and nations find healing in the leaves of its trees.

The scripture reminds us there will come a day, when nations are judged with equity. May we be on the side of the angels, when that day comes.

“Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.” Psalm 67:3-4