2024-09-24 LEBANON

Marists in Lebanon: Sadness, restlessness and anxiety are reborn in the hearts…

For the past week, Lebanon, a country that has tried to stay out of the conflicts around it and that has been living for several years in a very strong economic and social crisis, has been enveloped in the dark shadow of war: with attacks that have taken the lives and wounded many innocent people, among them more than 35 children.

Sadness and rage mingle, restlessness and anxiety are reborn in the hearts… The memory of other times plays a nightmare and takes away the sleep (sleep and life) of many. Daily decisions are frozen by the uncertainty of what may yet happen.

Our Brothers and Educational Community in Champville and Our Lady of Lourdes (Jbeil Amchit) have started the school year, but have had to stop for a few days for fear of the safety of the students. In the Animation Team of Lebanon and Syria (EALS) we are going to reflect on what should be our response of solidarity as Marists of Champagnat in the face of these events.

The Brothers in Fratelli, closer to the line of fire in the south of the country, continue to try to respond to the needs of the children, young people and women, for whom it is a true Oasis of encounter and support.

Will it be a “new” war? We do not know what awaits us. But we do know in whom we can hope: We know how to trust. We know that we are waiting for Life. We know how to place ourselves in the hands of the one who knows everything and who knows that the ultimate answer is Love: available and surrendered. Without heroism, but also without surrendering to the fatality that they want to impose on us. We know that peace and solidarity is our only hope. It is what we know as Marists: To Be and to Hope.

Dear Marists of Champagnat, we ask you to join us in this hope by lighting a candle: a light of peace for all countries suffering from the violent machinery of war, especially for children and young people.

With Champagnat, we conclude by repeating with tears: “Vous le savez, Mon Dieu”.

_______________
Bahjat Azrie – Delegate for Lebanon-Syria Solidarity / Marist Province of Mediterránea
23 September 2024

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