HELP FOR CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The evangelist Matthew indicates that “magi from the east” travelled to Jerusalem and from there were directed to seek the “newborn King of the Jews” in Bethlehem. The magi were stargazers and likely of a priestly class in Persia, well-educated, clearly having a knowledge of other cultures and religion, and because of their learning and position of prominence are referred to as “Wise Men” in some English translations of the Gospel. They were the first among the Gentiles to offer homage to the Savior of the world. The occasion of the Solemnity of the Epiphany, which celebrates their visit, made me think about the Christians of the Middle East who live today in decidedly non-Christian environments, which are often hostile to the practice of their faith.

As you know, the birthplace of Christianity is the Middle East. The beginning of the Church was initiated by God through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles gathered in the “Upper Room” in Jerusalem, on the Jewish feast of Pentecost, fifty days after the Resurrection of the Lord. The apostles spilled out into the streets, where there was a crowd of people from many nations who had come for the feast. They heard them speaking the praises of God in their own languages. Some three thousand of them were convinced by the preaching of Peter and were baptized that same day. A few days later some five thousand were converted. After the martyrdom of the deacon Stephen the Jewish authorities began a great persecution and the new believers were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria, where they shared the good news with the people in those regions, and also in Galilee. The gospel then reached into Syria and Egypt, and at the initiative of Paul, Barnabas and the other apostles into Asia Minor, Europe and the Far East.

The Church is now present around the globe, and Rome has replaced Jerusalem as the center of Christianity. But ancient Christian communities continue to exist in the Middle East, under a largely Muslim population, where they face restrictions and sometimes vicious persecution because of their Christian identity. They are often the last to receive foreign aid, if they receive it at all, because it’s distribution is usually controlled or directed by Muslims who favor their co-religionists. Christians in the Middle East have suffered disproportionately from the effects of war, terrorism and poverty, which has caused many of them to flee their ancestral homes. Literally, millions have been uprooted. Some have remained, however, despite the hardships, with a firm determination to maintain a Christian presence in their communities. They have made it their mission to continue to represent Jesus in the lands where he walked and where the Church had her first missionary success. Let us help them.

There are Catholic organizations which can be trusted to get aid directly to Christian communities. One of these in which you can be confident is Aid to the Church in Need, which I support regularly. You may look them up at www.churchinneed.org. They help Catholics, Orthodox and other Christians in need all over the world, but you can designate your contributions towards Christians in the Holy Land and the Middle East. Another way to support our brothers and sisters is through the annual Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps the Franciscans of the Holy Land in their many apostolates. They took a big hit last Good Friday when so many churches were closed due to the pandemic, so they really need our help. A contribution can be made at any time at www.myfranciscan.org/good-friday. An excellent way to observe the Epiphany would be to follow the example of the magi by offering a gift to one of the least of God’s little ones living in the Middle East. A gift to them is a gift to the Christ Child!

FATHER SCOTT