“Tragic mishap?” Twice? You can’t be serious! Not satisfied with hitting the hospital the first time, they aimed at the rescue workers dressed in orange vests. Now, there’s really getting Hamas. Don’t you know that Hamas operatives always wear orange vests just to point themselves out to the IDF?
Oh, and the five journalists killed – a tragic mishap. Netanyahu promises that there will be an investigation. Right, just like the one for Shireeen Abu Akleh, the named sniper who shot her conveniently dead. And then there are the others, women and children in body bags lining the floor of what’s left of a hospital.
Back in civilization, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, and several others read the names of every child killed on October 7 and in Gaza since the Israelis decided to obliterate the strip. It took seven hours. And those are the ones for whom we have the names. Who knows what lies beneath the rubble? We will not for Israeli tanks will clear the bodies with bulldozers, obliterating their memories as did others more than 80 years ago.
Prayer for the Day
How long, O God, how long will death and destruction rule,
As tanks and guns destroy innocent children?
How long, O Lord, how long, will terror be the rule of the day,
As those who rush to rescue the wounded are cut down?
Don’t you see, O Holy One, don’t you hear their cries,
As hate and violence rule the day and destroy a people?
In the name of the One who wept over Jerusalem,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Among those who have sought shelter within the walls of the [church] compounds, many are weakened and malnourished due to the hardships of the last months. Leaving Gaza City and trying to flee to the south would be nothing less than a death sentence. For this reason, the clergy and nuns have decided to remain and continue to care for all those who will be in the compounds. …We can only repeat what we have already said: There can be no future based on captivity, displacement of Palestinians or revenge.
Joint Statement by Greek Orthodox and Latin Patriarchates of Jerusalem
All peoples, even the smallest and weakest, must be respected by the powerful in their identity and rights, especially the right to live in their own lands; and no one can force them into exile.
Pope Leo IV, August 23, 2025
When all the prisoners of the land are crushed under foot,
When human rights are perverted in the presence of the Most High,
When one’s case is subverted – does the Lord not see it?
Lamentations of Jeremiah 3: 34-36
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