“CHRISTIANS IN THE HOLY LAND ARE THE LIVING STONES”

Reports have circulated that the Custody of the Holy Land is currently offering more than 582 houses in Jerusalem inside and outside the Old City, as well as 72 houses in Bethlehem to Christian families, a step designed to provide accommodation for a total of about 2,050 people, and consequently to entrench the Christian presence in these two cities in the Holy Land, and to maintain the Christian presence in the Land of Lord Jesus.

Reports also indicate that to date, there are over 700 requests for housing, of which at least 250 are urgent.

Such reports are really encouraging and promising as they place things on the right track. Such a step helps protect the Christian presence in the Holy Land and serves a necessity for keeping the Churches open and for enabling the Christians to flock to churches to receive the sacraments that ensure them a blessed life.

Providing housing to needy Christian families is a measure that needs to be supported and encouraged by all peace-loving countries and organizations. As this measure helps maintain the scent of incense in churches and in the streets of these cities. It also keeps Christians entrenched in the Holy Land joyfully receiving the Holy Communion from priests, the men of God who dedicate their lives to saving the souls of the faithful.

”YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH”
Lord Jesus Christ addressed His disciples saying, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” (Matthew 5:13).

With salt things become more palatable. So societies without Christians are less compatible with sustainability while lacking the beauty of diversity. In addition to the popular uses of salt as seasoning and preservatives, it is important to understand that this “salt of the earth” forestalls and reverses the and circumstances leading to a failing world.

The Holy Land is blessed by the presence and mission of the Franciscan Friars. As they strive to support the poor and the needy, they also provide housing for “the living stones” at the current difficult moments experienced by Christians in the Middle East in particular and the world at large.

Many thanks go to the Franciscan Friars in the Holy Land as they in addition to preserving the Stones of these places, they also take care of these living stones, namely the local Christians.

Many thanks go to Franciscan Friars who are serving God’s will by supporting people and maintaining salvation of their souls.

By: Munir Bayouk

Source:  en.abouna.org