From Wounds in Our Countries to the Resurrection of Those Suffering from Wars and Disasters
A Message of Love From the Middle East to the World
You may find below the text of the documentary film entitled “From Wounds in Our Countries to the Resurrection of Those Suffering from Wars and Disasters.” It was presented during the Fourth General Assembly of the ACT Alliance, held under the title “Hope in Action, Together for Justice,” between October 28 and November 1, 2024, in the Yogyakarta region - Indonesia.
The video was produced by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).
From Wounds in Our Countries to the Resurrection of Those Suffering from Wars and Disasters
We came to you from the oldest inhabited capitals and from the soil that witnessed the birth of the earliest human civilizations.
We came to you from the land of heavenly messages, the home of the first two prophets, from the land where our Savior Jesus Christ was born, preached, suffered, was entombed, and rose on the third day.
We came to you from the land of the first churches founded by the holy apostles, and from the dust of the land that was watered with the blood of martyrs in defense of their faith.
We have come to you from the land whose bells are still ringing in every Mass to tell the whole world that we are still here, rooted in our land and steadfast in our untainted faith inherited from our ancestors.
We came to you from the land that is still witnessing wars, conflicts, and displacement, and its people are still steadfast, telling the world that although we are being killed, slaughtered, and persecuted in the name of religion, freedom, or democracy, we have not lost hope. God wanted us to be born here to bear witness to our faith and to our Lord who redeemed us with His generous blood, so that the bells of faith would remain ringing in Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, and in every spot of dust that the feet of the Master stepped on.
We came to tell you our story:
The story of every human being who has suffered and is suffering from wars and conflicts that have affected people, trees, vegetation, and stones.
The story of every human being who has become a stranger in his own homeland, homeless and destitute. The story of every child, the helpless, the orphan, and the widow.
The story of hope, fortitude, and determination that tomorrow will be better, thanks to those who shared our story, our suffering, and our cause, and relieved us of the burdens of the pain of destitution, displacement, and forced migration. For what they have provided and continue to offer—to wipe the tears of every sufferer and heal the wounds—like the Good Samaritan we meet on the way without asking about his name, identity, or religion.
They are our partners from the ACT Alliance who share their piece of bread with us, take off their garments to warm those without a robe, heal those who need medicine, and fill the plates of those without food, believing that everything they do for their wounded brothers is done for their Lord and Master Jesus Christ.
They are our partners, thanks to whom we in this East have been able to give a living testimony to serving with dignity, understanding that faith is not complete without works and that the cheerful giver is honored by the Lord.
They are our partners with whom we are united not only by the unity of faith but also by the communion of the love of giving, because only then will the world know that we are disciples of Christ.
To them we dedicate this work as a token of love and gratitude for what they have done and are offering every day, so that we may be witnesses of love and peace in the land from which we came to you, and that we may continue to serve the face of Jesus imprinted in the face of every tormented and wounded person in this world.
