Sunday August 24th
Day of Prayer for Peace in GAZA
Unbearable to watch the plight of the people of Gaza. Suffering inflicted on humans by humans. Is there any other creature on this planet that would inflict this misery on its own? Helpless we all feel as we seem to have no power to stop this awful tragedy. Yet, are we powerless?
This weekend we are invited to unite and focus on the power of being together and seeking another path. That path is a path of unity and prayer. We are reminded of the words spoken recently by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pizzaballa;
“Christ is not absent from Gaza. He is there, crucified in the wounded, buried under rubble and yet present in every act of mercy, every candle in the darkness, every hand extended to the suffering.”
The readings at Mass today offer hope. The prophet Isaiah; ‘The Lord says this: I am coming to gather the nations.’ St. Paul in the Letter to the Hebrews writes ‘So hold up your limp arms and steady your trembling knees and smooth out the path you tread; then the injured limb will not be wrenched, it will grow strong again’. And in today’s Gospel from Luke; ‘Yes, there are those now last who will be first, and those now first who will be last’.
But what can I do? Why not reflect on some of the following; Next Wednesday August 27th is the feast day of St. Monica who through her prayers led to the conversion of her son Augustine. Or recall the simple but powerful act of Rosa Parks and her refusal to vacate a seat on the bus which was reserved for persons of a different racial background. Or what of those who walked peacefully on the Civil Rights marches in Northern Ireland? Or the many peaceful gatherings throughout the world that swayed the powers that be to change their approach. Yes, but what can I do? The invitation today is to give time in prayer, reflect for a few moments and hear what the Lord is whispering in my ear, a mantra; ‘Gaza, Peace’