We live in the world where violence, war, and forced starvation are tolerated in Gaza. The starving people especially children, pregnant women, amputees, orphaned children have not moved the hearts of those responsible for Israel-Gaza war. The artilleries and weapons produced by the powerful countries supporting Israel continue to be an instrument of evil. People are suffering and dying before our eyes while infrastructure and buildings continue to be pounded by missiles and shelled by tanks. The truth is posted in popular media, newspaper, and television. Sometimes, we feel we cannot do anything but we can advocate for the voiceless in Gaza to oppose further shipments of missiles, artilleries and military aid until those in power will be able to work for justice and peace.
The colonialism of the western civilization is rooted in the Doctrine of Discovery. Starting in 1100s, it was decreed through papal bulls and decrees that later on became the justification for the claims on the lands discovered by the Christian European explorers. On May 4, 1943, Pope Alexander VI issued a papal bull "Inter Caetera" where any land not inhabited by Christians are available to be discovered in support of spreading the Catholic faith. On the other hand, the papal bull became an instrument for Christian rulers to exploit this power over the lands. The later Popes revoked the decrees and was nullified in 1530s.
Over the centuries, what became power to the occupiers is the domination and the belief of possession dehumanizing people living in the area despite the native poeple originally occupying the land or the inhabitants of the land have been living in the "discovered area". The same concept has been used in United States, believing that it has a control over the land of the indigenous people and thus, the land of the native Americans were taken away. The same concept lies in enslaved people including properties stolen. Pope Francis, however, apologized to the Indigenous people. It is also believed that the doctrine has been rescinded since the 1537.
What justifies the killing of thousands of people in Gaza? Though, the situation is complicated with the conflict of Palestinian and Jewish people over the territory as early as 1948, the violence between the two are not justified whether or not the violence started by whatever entities. The conflict between the two have existed long ago after the World War one. Therefore, the conflict between the two requires a deep conversation and cultural mindset shift.
The area of Gaza is now in famine and some of the children are considered permanently malnourished with thousands of pregnant and nursing mothers who are also malnourished and starving. It is believed that 1 out of 3 people has not eaten for days in Gaza. The violence of Israel against Gaza continues. It is now 695 days since October 7, 2023 when the most recent war started. There are now more than 63,000 people who died and more than158,629 people are injured from this conflict.
Bang pots from your window or balcony to demand an end to starvation in Gaza. Record, share, and let your city’s voice be heard supporting the human rights of vulnerable people especially children in Gaza. Join us on September 19 at 5pm CT. The zoom link will be posted in Justicia, Paz y Tierra / Justice, Peace and Earth: Events
This year's Season of Creation theme is Peace with Creation. In line with the situation in Gaza, we mourn for the children who have lost their parent or parents and a lot have been orphaned because of the war. We mourn with all the people of Gaza who have lost their loved ones. We grieve for the countless lives hurt and environment destroyed. We take this moment to feel for those who have nothing to eat for days, and for those mothers and fellow brothers and sisters who will go hungry in order to feed their children and in some cases, their chidlren also had nothing to eat. We pray for those who have to wait in line for food. We cry for the pain of those shot and killed for reason of hunger and starvation, longing for something to feed themselves or their families. We advocate for the life of the people of Gaza and those working in the frontlines and marching for the human rights of Palestinians. They are not numbers, they are human beings with dignity and where each life lies a unique and irreplaceable value and worth.
Some of the inspiration from the Season of Creation Guide:
• Peace with Creation requires proactive steps. Jesus taught repentance and restorative justice. We must repair broken relationships: between humans and Earth, humans and other creatures, and humans and God.
• “The effect of righteousness will be peace” (v17). While the challenges may seem overwhelming, Christ reminds us, “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Hope fuels action; through prayer, discernment, and commitment, we can create a foundation for change.
• God’s peace emerges when we work for justice, solidarity, reconciliation, and harmony with Creation. Transformation takes patience, understanding, and trust.
Let us therefore be a people of hope and action for the people of Gaza and the oppressed.
SEASON OF CREATION 2025 PRAYER PEACE WITH CREATION
Creator of all,
we praise you for the gift of life
and for the faith that unites us in care for our common home.
We confess how estranged we have become—
from one another, from your Creation, and from our truest selves.
We acknowledge that our greed and destructive impulses
have fractured our relationships with you, with others, and with the Earth.
Fertile fields have become barren,
forests lie desolate,
oceans and rivers are polluted.
Thriving communities have become places of suffering,
and the earth cries out.
Beloved Christ,
who spoke “Shalom” to frightened hearts,
stir us to compassionate action.
Inspire us to work for the end of conflict,
and for the full restoration of broken relationships—
with you, with the ecumenical community,
with the human family,
and with all Creation.Prince of Peace,
through your wounds, teach us to stand in solidarity
with the woundedness of others,
of creation, and of the world.
Through your resurrection,
make us people of hope—
with a vision of swords turned into ploughshares
and tears transformed into joy.
May we come together as one family,
to labor for your peace—
a shalom where all your people
may dwell in safety,
and rest in quiet places.Amen.
Take Action to advocate for human rights to live and peace: Stop Aiding Israel
Vatican repudiates the 'Doctrine of Discovery,' which underpinned colonialism : NPR
The Doctrine of Discovery, 1493 | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Israel and the Palestinians: History of the conflict explained
Stop Starvation in Gaza - Join #PotBangingForGaza – a daily protest at 6 PM. Bang pots from your window or balcony to demand an end to starvation in Gaza. Record, share, and let your city’s voice be heard.
EN_SoC Celebration Guide 2025_Final 1.pdf - Google Drive
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