I had the privilege of leading a pilgrimage of 53 people to the Holy Land a few weeks ago. 53 people comprised the pilgrimage, only three from Saint John’s. The rest were mostly Holy Redeemer parishioners and friends. Visiting the land of Jesus is a life changing spiritual experience. 

We returned on October 5. I spend October 6 telling people that things had changed in Israel and Palestine and that peace is prevailing. 

On October 7, I found out how wrong I was. 

We were horrified by the brutal killing of innocent Israeli civilians on October 7. We now lament the killing of Palestinians in Gaza and we fear that the violence may spread, crushing hopes for a just peace that would resolve the decades of violence and hatred. 

God loves all people. God is always on the side of victims, innocent people caught in the crossfire of combatants. 

Pope Francis has asked all Catholics to observe October 27 as a day of prayer and fasting for peace and justice in the Holy Land. I urge all to pray for the innocent victims of violence and to pray that the cycle of violence will yield to a lasting peace. I am discouraged by the violence. But I continue to hope for and pray for a long lasting peace that is rooted in justice.