By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa
On Monday October 7, one year after the massacre launched by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in several different areas in Israel, and the spiral of violence, Pope Francis launched a Day of Prayer and of Fasting for Peace.
In a letter to Catholics in the Middle East, Pope Francis repeats Jesus' promise: “I am with you.”
Let us have the same compassion for the victims, chanting, praying and meditating on these words from the heart:
"I am with you, the people of Gaza, long embattled and in dire straits. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily.
I am with you, who have been forced to leave your homes, to abandon schooling and work and to find a place of refuge from the bombing.
I am with you, the mothers who weep while looking at your dead or wounded children, like Mary at the sight of Jesus; with you, the children of the great lands of the Middle East, where the intrigues of those in power deprive you of your right to play.
I am with you, who are afraid to look up for fear of fire raining down from the skies.
I am with you, who have no voice, for despite all the talk of plans and strategies, there is little concern for those who suffer the devastation of war, which the powerful impose on others; yet they will be subject to the inflexible judgment of God (cf. Wis 6:8).
I am with you, who thirst for peace and justice, and refuse to yield to the logic of evil and, in the name of Jesus, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44)."
May these words become our prayer today and during this week.
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