On Saturday evening a cry demanding the gift of Peace, above all in Syria, was heard all over the world. In St. Peter's Square in Rome, in front of thousands of people in prayer, Pope Francis declared:
“When man thinks only of himself, of his own interests and places himself in the center, when he permits himself to be captivated by the idols of dominion and power, when he puts himself in God’s place, then all relationships are broken and everything is ruined; then the door opens to violence, indifference, and conflict.… It is exactly in this chaos that God asks man’s conscience: ʿWhere is Abel your brother? ʾ and Cain responds: ʿI do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?ʾ (Gen 4:9). We too are asked this question, it would be good for us to ask ourselves as well: Am I really my brother’s keeper? Yes, you are your brother’s keeper! To be human means to care for one another! But when harmony is broken, a metamorphosis occurs: the brother who is to be cared for and loved becomes an adversary to fight, to kill. What violence occurs at that moment, how many conflicts, how many wars have marked our history! …
Is it possible to walk the path of peace? Can we get out of this spiral of sorrow and death? Can we learn once again to walk and live in the ways of peace? Invoking the help of God, under the maternal gaze of the Salus Populi Romani, Queen of Peace, I say: Yes, it is possible for everyone! From every corner of the world tonight, I would like to hear us cry out: Yes, it is possible for everyone! Or even better, I would like for each one of us, from the least to the greatest, including those called to govern nations, to respond: Yes, we want it!” (The complete speech of the Holy Father can be read at: vatican.va).
As everywhere else in the Middle East, in Jerusalem there were also prayers for peace. In the Church of Gethsemane local Christians and passing pilgrims, Christians of all denominations, rites, languages and nationalities, gathered together for a moment of contemplation and prayer. Shortly before the torch-lit procession in the Garden of Olives, the following letter of St. Francis addressed to the men of power of his time – more than ever relevant today – was read aloud:
“To all mayors and consuls, magistrates and rulers throughout the world, and to everyone who may receive these letters: Brother Francis, your little and despicable servant in the Lord God, sends his wishes of health and peace to all of you. Pause and reflect, for the day of death is approaching. I beg you, therefore, with all possible respect, not to forget the Lord or turn away from His commandments by reason of the cares and preoccupations of this world, for all those who are oblivious of Him and turn away from His commands are cursed and will be totally forgotten by Him.
And when the day of death does come, everything which they think they have will be taken from them. And the wiser and more powerful they may have been in this world, so much greater will be the punishments they will endure in hell. Therefore, I firmly advise you, my lords, to put aside all care and preoccupation and receive with joy the most holy Body and the most holy Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in holy remembrance of Him. And you should manifest such honor to the Lord among the people entrusted to you” (St. Francis).
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We would like to remind everyone that it is possible to make a concrete gesture of support for the Syrian people at this time. Much has been done, but there is so much more that needs doing. Several examples: with 63 euros comprehensive health care for two newborns can be provided, with 150 euros a family of three people can support itself for two weeks, with 500 euros the humanitarian needs of four families in a refugee camp can be met, and 1,000 euros can cover the operating costs of the Franciscan soup kitchen for a month. We are therefore asking you to continue to support the mission of the Franciscan friars in Syria and to remain close to the people there.
To make a donation, which will be promptly transmitted to the friars in Syria, please CLICK HERE.
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