Fasting for peace
Nowadays, fasting has been discovered as good for our health, because it gives the body the opportunity to cleanse itself of many toxins.
However, for centuries, fasting had a religious dimension, cleansing the mind and the heart and creating space for God. Fasting goes together with prayer, as an offering of ourselves to God. It is a way of recognising that we are in God's hands.
Pope Francis asked for a day of prayer and fasting, to plead with God that people and their leaders may change their hearts and spare the people of Syria even greater suffering.
Vengeance belongs to God alone
The use of chemical weapons killing civilians, many of them women and children, was a horrendous crime which deserves punishment. However, who is going to do it? Is it the United States, France or England? Are they going to punish the criminals who did it, or are they going to kill more innocent people? Are they going to protect the weak and the oppressed or are they going to bring much more suffering? That 's why we should leave revenge to God: "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord" (Ro 12:19).
In the vigil of prayer for peace, Pope spoke words of wisdom:
"Brothers and Sisters, forgiveness, dialogue, reconciliation – these are the words of peace, in beloved Syria, in the Middle East, in all the world! Let us pray this evening for reconciliation and peace, let us work for reconciliation and peace, and let us all become, in every place, men and women of reconciliation and peace! So may it be." (Pope Francis)
You can find the whole homily: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130907_veglia-pace_en.html
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