Joy of All Who Sorrow
I read this last night.
“Since 2003, Iraq’s Christian community has suffered intense religious persecution on top of the effects of the conflict and, as a result, it’s shrunk by well over 50 percent,” Shea writes. “Mosul, the site of ancient Nineveh of the Assyrians, who converted to Christianity in the first century, has become the home of many Christians who remained. Considered by Christians the place of last resort inside Iraq, Mosul and the surrounding Nineveh Plain has been home to many Christian refugees driven out of Baghdad and Basra. Mosul has the only university, the best hospitals, and the largest markets serving the Christian towns and villages of the Nineveh Plain. The plain, itself, is now at grave risk of direct jihadi attacks and the possibility of being cut off from an essential city.
“Once upon a time, some of the Mosul Christians might have fled to Syria, but they now have few options,” Shea continues. “More will give up on the region altogether and join their relatives and former neighbors in Michigan, California, Sweden, and elsewhere in the West. The fall of Mosul is a serious blow for the Iraqi state, and the implications for Iraq’s Christian community are devastating.” - Aleteia
From the Akathist to the Most Holy Mother of God, Mother of the Chaldeans.
Kontakion 5: Having sighted the divinely-moving star, the Magi followed its radiance; and holding it as a lamp, by it they sought a powerful King; and having reached the Unreachable One, they rejoiced, shouting to Him: Alleluia!
Ekos 5: The sons of the Chaldees saw in the hands of the Virgin Him Who with His hand made man. And knowing Him to be the Master, even though He had taken the form of a servant, they hastened to serve Him with gifts, and to cry to Her Who is blessed:
Rejoice, Mother of the Unsetting Star:
Rejoice, dawn of the mystic day!
Rejoice, Thou Who didst extinguish the furnace of error:
Rejoice, Thou Who didst enlighten the initiates of the Trinity!
Rejoice, Thou Who didst banish from power the inhuman tyrant:
Rejoice, Thou Who didst show us Christ the Lord, the Lover of mankind!
Rejoice, Thou Who redeemest from pagan worship:
Rejoice, Thou Who dost drag us from the works of mire!
Rejoice, Thou Who didst quench the worship of fire:
Rejoice, Thou Who rescues from the flame of the passions!
Rejoice, guide of the faithful to chastity:
Rejoice, gladness of all generations!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!
iraqi-muslim-women-light-candles-at-the-virgin-mary-chaldean-church-in-central-baghdad
The future is now.
“We must be prepared to undergo great trials in the not-too-distant future; trials that will require us to be ready to give up even our lives, and a total gift of self to Christ and for Christ. Through your prayers and mine, it is possible to alleviate this tribulation, but it is no longer possible to avert it. . . .How many times has the renewal of the Church been brought about in blood! It will not be different this time.” – Bicentennial talk given in the United States by St. John Paul II, when Cardinal Karol Wojtyla of Kraków, Poland
I suppose there was a reason why I was online lots today. I have a job to do...to pray even moreso now for my brothers and sisters trapped in Iraq. To pray for those who have been killed and those who will be killed. To pray that someone, somewhere come to the aid of God's people, long faithful to their ancient Christian roots.
ReplyDeleteI will also pray for the many Muslims slaughtered as well. It is being reported that Fr. Najeeb, the Dominican who had sent out urgent prayer requests earlier today, may have already been martyred.
http://www.lisagraas.com/2014/06/10/urgent-prayer-request-for-fr-najeeb-and-christians-of-iraq/
My outlook is forever changed today...may this tragedy be forever before me as I remember, to the best of my ability, all who have been slaughtered in Iraq for being Christian or for simply not going along with these militant murderers who have destroyed a once peaceful city.
Thanks again for a fine post, Terry. I have taken the image of our precious Lady and am going to use it as my desktop so as to be reminded every day from now to pray for all who have been lost.
May heaven and the face of the beautiful and most merciful Lord be their eternal joy.
It is no accident that everywhere Americans go, Christian end up being persecuted. We are told how terrible Saddam Hussein was, and truly he was a terrible man, but he let the Christians live in peace.
ReplyDeleteThe hope I can take from this is that Satan's time must be very limited because he is viciously and furiously attacking the followers of Christ in every way possible around the world. Truly it is our duty to stand united in prayer with one another.
Satan isn’t choosey about who he attacks, but some ‘Catholics’ seem to be choosey as to who they want to pray for... The Mass readings from Matthews Gospel this week and next offer guidance as to who we should be praying for in times of conflict.
ReplyDeleteAnd isn’t the main conflict in Iraq and in Syria a power struggle between two Muslim factions, Sunni and Shia?
BG - I'm sorry for my initial reaction to your comment. I removed it.
DeleteI appreciate your positive response, Terry. We walk on. Peace.
ReplyDeleteI read this morning that Iran has sent troops to aide the Iraqis in defending themselves. It has me wondering...since the book of Isaiah came to mind with all that the Lord did with regards to the story of King Cyrus and the city of Babylon.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is wow...would it not be an awesome thing to witness the Lord's mighty hand once again in His choice of Iran being His own instrument for peace and deliverance of His people?
Let all those with an open heart hear and wonder and see and praise the mighty deeds the Lord our God!
Mary, holy mother, precious Virgin!
Queen of Peace, pray for us!
Amen!