The Reverend Doctor Carl S. Hofmann
First Presbyterian Church of Boulder, Colorado
August 6, 2014
“…weep with those who weep.” –Romans 12:15
To all the Suffering, Wounded, and Grieving in Gaza and the West Bank,
Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ, the Suffering Servant of our Lord, the One despised and rejected, a man of suffering and familiar with pain–
I write you from the United States to let you know there are many Christians here, and indeed, many U.S. citizens, whose hearts break over your suffering and affliction. We cannot comprehend your profound pain. From our depths we cry out to God for your peace, protection, and prosperity.
We grieve violence and injustice in all its forms. We particularly weep over the death of the innocent: children, women, the elderly, and noncombatants. We see images of destroyed homes, mosques, schools, stores and businesses, and we are distraught.
Through our prayers to God, through letters to our political leaders, through protests, and through financial support for humanitarian relief, there are many here who seek to bless you.
Know that you are not alone.
We long for harmony in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel. We long for international law to be respected, for justice to be maintained for all, for the flourishing of your families, for your children to grow up healthy and whole. We desperately desire that all in Palestine/Israel may learn mutual love and respect and illustrate this with practical cooperation and care.
Again, know that you are not alone. You are loved by God, and by us, and by many.
In the mercy of our Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.
The Rev. Dr. Carl S. Hofmann
Boulder, Colorado
