Jerusalem Diocese link JMECA director Dr.Yazid Said writes:
JMECA is grateful for all the financial support it is receiving in support of the health institutions of the diocese of Jerusalem, both in Gaza and in the West Bank at this very difficult time. The funds received are a tangible sign that the Church of the Holy Land is not forgotten. In this season of Lent, it is important to remember that what affects the Church in Palestine and Israel affects us. We join the Archbishop in Jerusalem in his Lenten statement in prayer,in thought and in hope. He reminds us of the importance of sharing in the suffering of that so troubled, complex land, so that justice and security is never something which one person claims at the expense of another or one community at the expense of another.For one to live under threat, whether of occupation, or of terror, is a problem for all, and a pain for all.
Our journey towards the cross at this time reminds us that the current war and its devastation is not simply a passing problem in the politics of one region; it is sign of some of the things that are most deeply wrong in the human heart itself: the terrible fear of the other and the stranger, which keeps all of us in enmity. But, Jesus on the cross, St Paul tells us, breaks down barriers. It is our prayer and our hope for all of those who live in the land that the prison of fear and anxiety, of war and destruction and insecurity will all be broken. To those who are offering financial support to the diocese at this time, it would be good to remember that youare not here supporting a museum of churches. You are supporting a place and people whose very existence speaks of the freedom of God to set human beings free. That is a truth which remains day after day, and to which we entrust ourselves in this season as we journey towards Easter. It is that good news that drives us all to keep supporting the Church in its birth place. It is the good news whichteaches us not to despair even in the terrible circ*mstances in which so many now live.
And the Archbishop of Jerusalem shares his Lent message
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
(1 Corinthians 1:18, NRSV)
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Grace and Peace to you all from our Lord Jesus Christ.
This sacred season of Lent comes to us while we are still living in challenging and painful times. Indeed, we can smell the scent of violence, death, and hatred around us. We can be overcome by the stench of war and destruction; of fear and the absence of security; of occupation and the avoidance of peaceful solutions for the common good.
However, despite all this pain and suffering, let us continue to walk together in our journey of faith through prayer, worship, and the reading of Holy Scriptures—as well as through humility, detachment, and letting go of unnecessary matters—in order to acquire what is good and beneficial for our souls.
In this Pastoral Letter, let me share with you three key areas that will help us recommit to our Christian faith earnestly and responsibly, so that we might live into the true meaning of Lent: 1. Repentance; 2. Discipleship; and 3. Suffering.
1. Repentance: At the beginning of the Lenten Season, I first want to remind us all that this is the prime time for repentance: “Bear fruit worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8, NRSV). In the New Testament, the Greek word μετάνοια (metanoia) is used for repentance. The word implies a change and transformation of one’s mind, thoughts, and feelings. And so repentance is a call for change—to bring change to many aspects of our lives. Throughout the year, we find ourselves constrained by routines, habits, and actions that often distance us from Christ and the spirituality we are called to live. Repentance brings us back to the Lord and to living our faith in a way that is pleasing to God.
In a world that is enslaved by selfishness, hatred, hostility, and other chains of evil, we are in dire need of genuine repentance and a return to the essence of redeemed humanity. We must work towards justice based on divine grace and righteousness. Both as a church and as individuals, we are called to this transformation. Indeed, the entire world needs repentance, forgiveness, and acceptance of one another.
2. Discipleship: Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, chose the good portion when she sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to His words (Luke 10:38-42). It is one of Scripture’s marvelous scenes illustrating the process of discipleship under the guidance of the Teacher himself. Similarly, we need to dedicate time to sit in the presence of Jesus and listen to His teachings. Therefore, I encourage you, especially during this season of Lent, to read the Bible, meditate upon it, and then apply it to your daily life.
Discipleship, of course, requires sacrifice, detachment, and letting go of ourselves, allowing the Lord Jesus to teach us, reshape us, guide us, and renew us through His Holy Spirit. A good disciple becomes something like his or her teacher. Let us each ask ourselves: “How do I resemble Jesus?” Let this be a blessed time for discipleship so that we might resemble Jesus more and more.
3. Suffering: Just as the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness of temptation, so does the Spirit lead and guide us through the wilderness of life. Jesus does not leave us alone. Instead, he meets us in the desert of our lives, in that state he experienced when the Spirit drove him into the wilderness (Luke 4:1). This imagery accompanies us throughout the season of Lent, which has a special significance this year. It makes us focus more on the nature of this sacred time and its spirituality, especially as it unfolds against the backdrop of the war and current conditions in our country.
Throughout this season, by contemplating upon the cross of the Lord Jesus and walking in the path of our Lord’s suffering, we deepen our understanding of what is happening around us. We understand the meaning of suffering, injustice, murder, war, and destruction. As we do, we begin to grasp God’s purpose for our lives. When the Lord Jesus was incarnate and became human (Philippians 2:7), he shared in human suffering. He saved humanity through his suffering, crucifixion, death, and resurrection.
We must unite with the sufferings of Christ through the suffering and injustice we experience in our earthly lives. Only by our passage through the cross can we understand the meaning of resurrection and victory. Only in this way can we affirm the triumph of life over death, and of peace over war. Without pain and death, there would be no resurrection. So let us journey with Christ on the path of the cross until we see with him the light of the resurrection in all its glory, leading us to new life.
I wish you a blessed and meaningful Lent. May the Lord bless you and grant you peace, strength, victory, and triumph. Amen.
With my prayers and blessings to you all,
++ Hosam E. Naoum
