On Monday, October 7th, it will be one year since the infamous attack by the Hamas on Israel and Israel's declaration of war that soon followed.
The conflict has increased over the course of the year, with multiple parties involved. This war is a brutal one. Pope Francis seems to have taken on the heart of God the Father when He called for a ceasefire, asking for the release of the hostages and the allowance of humanitarian aid. I can imagine how Our Heavenly Father grieves the effects of this war.
My heart too grieves the chaos ensuing on one of the most sacred places in our world. But perhaps that was purposeful. Perhaps God desired to incarnate Himself in what He knew would be one of the "messiest" places on earth. Considering all the wars of the Old Testament to present day, there has been much blood-shed in the Middle East.
Perhaps Jesus wanted to walk where He knew the poverty of mankind would be seen full force in such conflict. Perhaps it was in this place that Jesus wanted to be crucified for all the sins of the world. Perhaps it was in this place that Jesus wanted to bring death to life. Having experienced my own poverty and sins, I've learned that these are the very places were God wants to love us and bring new life. So, God incarnated Himself in the little town of Bethlehem, sanctifying the world through His Presence and now we call this land where He walked the Holy Land.
One year ago, when the war broke out, I was in the Holy Land with Franciscan University of Steubenville students. What went from a peaceful pilgrimage quickly turned into a serious matter of fleeing the country and finding a way home for all 42 of us - not an easy feat considering the other thousands of tourists.
If you would humor me, I would like to share my own experience over the next couple of weeks - how God prepared me, what it was like in Israel when the war broke out and how we managed to get back to Austria, where we resided for the Study Abroad program of Franciscan University. I hope to give God the glory as I share this incredible journey that brought me deeper into the heart of God and solidified my vocation as a spiritual mother who fights for and willingly sacrifices for her children, no matter what the cost.
- Sr. Lisa Marie Shatynski, T.O.R.
