“And he will judge the nations, and he will rebuke many peoples. And they shall forge their swords into plowshares, and their spears into sickles. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they continue to train for battle”
The passage from the prophet Isaiah in today’s first reading reminds us to take a stock of what is taking place in the Holy Land these days, where death and destruction of life and properties have been the order of the day.
The people of God in the Holy Land: Jews, Christians, Muslims, etc. have neglected to “approach and walk in the light of the Lord”. Rather there is hatred, verbal and physical attacks have taken over. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Cardinal Pizzaballa talks about the cry of the poor in the Holy Land, because of the war that has been raging there.
The patriarch noted that the outbreak of war “has not only caused death, destruction, and hunger in Gaza” but has also brought with it “high unemployment,” especially in the Bethlehem area. Cardinal Pizzaballa also pointed out that the drama of violence has affected “countless families from different religions” and all Catholic institutions in the region, including schools, hospitals, and parishes.
What can we do?
Unless we walk in the light of the Lord, the world can only see darkness and death.
Like the Centurion, do the international communities, do you and I have the courage and honor to work for peace? Do we have the grace to love our neighbor?
Can we accept our limitations and inadequacies in the present of the Lord, like the Centurion? He says: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.”
The Lord reminds us that heaven is for all and is not inherited. “…many will come from east and west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of God.”
We must work for it.
May our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, Ukraine and Russia, forge their swords into plowshares, and their spears into sickles.
Have a wonderful Week
