Jesus went to...

The Gospels are full of transitional verses, marking the end of one incident and the beginning of another. Usually they seem dry and uninteresting to the modern reader.

But today, that transitional verse, the first verse of the Gospel (Matthew 15:21-28) is chilling.

Then Jesus went from that place
and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.

As almost everyone knows, on this very day, the cities of Tyre and Sidon are heavily involved and greatly suffering in the war between Hezbollah and Israel.

We pray for the innocent people suffering in those cities and throughout that area - in modern Lebanon and modern Israel - where our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ once walked.

May they come to know the healing and saving presence of Christ.

We pray also, as we must, for the men of violence who bring death and destruction upon the innocent.

May they come to know the truth of Christ, turn their hearts to his way of love, and beg for his mercy.

Let grace come and this violence pass away.

Come to us, Lord Jesus.