Living Catholicism: Remembering the Holy Land

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December 1, 2007

Remembering the Holy Land

During this time of the year I think it's especially important to remember the Holy Land. Jesus lived, performed miracles, and died for us in the faraway places like the Church of the Nativity. And we should remember to support the small Christian population that protects these holy places of our history.

Recently we had a man from the Holy Land drop by our parish. He was selling olive wood products, which is one of the few ways that Christians in the Holy Land can still support themselves. While at our parish he made a point that I thought was very interesting: the Jews are willing to fight and die over their holy places. The Muslims refuse to give up in the holy land largely because of the importance they put on specific places and mosques. But Christians seem to have completely given up on these holy areas of our Faith - and the Muslims see this as another reason to show only contempt for us. It is our Christian duty to not only help the oppressed Christians in the area, but also to help protect and restore the important places in the Holy Land where Our Lord actually lived His life on earth.

One great example is the Church of the Nativity. The Church is actually built over the place where the Blessed Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus on that night in December. You can kneel in prayer where Christ entered the world from the Ark of Saint Mary. And you can remember what God gave us through His entrance into a world that never deserved His Grace, His Love, or His Sacrifice. It is extremely important that we protect this Church and remember why it is important. If you can't donate, please pray for the Christians in the Holy Land and for God's protection over our holy places like the Church of the Nativity. In addition, you can give the Franciscans at the Church of the Nativity your prayer request here. They will pray for you at the Church of the Nativity and their sufferings, their sacrifices, will be clouds of incense in heaven asking God to grant your prayers. Or have your name put on a plaque in the Memorial Hall at the Church of the Nativity. Whatever you do, please help through either prayers, donations, or both. You can learn more about the Church of the Nativity here.

As we move toward Christmas day, remember to pray for the place where Christ Himself was born. And for the people who continue to protect that Church at their own personal sacrifice.

God bless,
Jay

Posted by jay at December 1, 2007 11:46 AM