We do not forget you who suffer for the faith
Red Wednesday Mass
At our recent meeting of the Australian bishops we heard from the Maronite bishop, Antoine Tarabay and from the Melkite bishop Robert Rabbat about the deteriorating situation for Christians in southern Lebanon.
In the struggle between the Israeli army and the paramilitary group, Hezbollah which is supported by Iran, many civilians are caught up in the conflict. The fighting has spread from Southern Lebanon to the Bekaa Valley. There have been over 2,200 deaths and more than 12,000 injuries. There has been the destruction of buildings and infrastructure. This has led to the collapse of essential services.
The conflict has displaced more than one million people as they have had to flee from the centres of conflict. These families are in urgent need of basic humanitarian assistance including food, medicine, clothing and shelter.
Maronite Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay and Melkite Bishop Robert Rabbat said a painful cross had been laid on the shoulders of the people of Lebanon. They said, “We cannot but feel their pain and suffering. They need our prayers and humanitarian support.”
I have also received a letter from the Melkite bishop of Tyre. Tyre, as you know was visited by our Lord where he healed the daughter of the Canaanite woman. He described how on September 23 they were exposed to a military incursion. It forced 3,000 families to flee from their homes and villages. Tyre was subject to aerial bombardment. Families are displaced and people urgently need financial, food and healthcare support.
The bishop said, “Just as Simon of Cyrene helped Christ carry his heavy cross on the way to Golgotha, the Eastern Catholic Churches in Lebanon turn to people of good will in the Western world, especially to their brothers and sisters in Christ in their Sister Church, the Roman Catholic Church, seeking their help in carrying with them their heavy cross in these difficult times”.
Each year the ‘Aid to the Church in Need’ Catholic charity holds this Red Wednesday Mass to pray for members of the Church who are suffering persecution across the world. Millions of our fellow Catholics are in difficult situations, often with their lives under threat.
Catholics in Nigeria, for example, continue to suffer greatly from persecution. Over 50,000 Christians have been massacred in Nigeria over the past 14 years. And there is no end in sight.
In the Gospel reading this evening we hear words of encouragement from the Lord, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell”.
The Lord offers a promise, “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven”.
We know that God values each of us individually and surely has a special love for those who suffer because of their faith. The Lord stated, “So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows”.
We know that those who suffer because of Christ will receive a special blessing. We have long honoured the martyrs for the faith and are confident of their eternal reward. At the same time, though, we acknowledge the human experience of fear in the face of suffering and possible death. We know of the danger of loss of hope in the face of threats and uncertainty. We know of the anguish at the loss of loved ones to violence. We know, too, that those in situations of suffering can feel isolated and abandoned.
I have had opportunity to witness this suffering and anguish first hand in my visits in recent years to Lebanon, Ukraine, Iraq, Egypt and Armenia, when I have been part of a delegation of bishops making an official visit to express solidarity to those suffering persecution for the faith.
Tonight in this Mass, we remember our brothers and sisters in the faith who suffer under the burden of persecution.
From our first reading Prophet Isaiah said, “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I will help you, says the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel”. We pray that the Lord will indeed hold all those who suffer for their faith in his hand. That they will know that the love and mercy of God is with them in their time of darkness and loss of security and peace.
It is important that we gather for this Mass each year. Firstly, that we may recognise the many brothers and sisters in the faith who experience persecution. We stand in solidarity with them.
We pray for them. Praying that they may receive support and encouragement in the midst of their sufferings. We also are aware of our opportunity to offer practical assistance to those who are deprived of their homes and livelihoods.
At the end of the prayer of the faithful this evening I invite you to come forward to light a candle in remembrance of our suffering brothers and sisters. You may have people you personally know. Or you may be conscious of Christians in one particular country. We light a candle in solidarity with them and pray that light may dawn in their hearts in the midst of their personal darkness.
Archbishop Julian Porteous
Tuesday, 19 November 2024