
The Cross of Christ Can Open the Door to Peace in the Holy Land
‘As Jesus drew near, he saw Jerusalem and wept over it, saying, If this day you only knew what makes for peace …’ (Luke 19:41-42)
‘As Jesus drew near, he saw Jerusalem and wept over it, saying, If this day you only knew what makes for peace …’ (Luke 19:41-42)
Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all consider Jerusalem a holy city, and all three religions have major religious observances in the coming weeks.
Jerusalem, the Pope added, is also where ‘the Church was born, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples gathered in prayer with the Virgin Mary and sent them forth to proclaim to all peoples the message of salvation.’
‘Send your light and your fidelity, that they may be my guide. Let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place of your dwelling.’ (Psalm 43)
Only relatively small numbers have arrived so far compared to pre-pandemic numbers, but their presence provides cautious optimism for the tourist-dependent local Christian community.
But why did the writer’s conversion take so long?
The Patriarchs and Heads of Local Churches in Jerusalem issued a joint statement published May 10 calling on the international community to intervene to put an end to “provocative actions” and urging prayers for peace.
Christian leaders announced May 26 that the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem would once again welcome the public, with some restrictions.
The last time the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was closed for an extended period was in 1349, during an outbreak of the Black Death in Jerusalem.
The Palestinian Authority is also prohibiting all but essential travel between Bethlehem and other Palestinian cities to limit the virus’ spread.
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