One of the most poignant portrayals of our Blessed Mother is that of the Pieta, the sorrowful mother holding the body of Christ. Mary continues to hold us, who are the body of Christ, in her arms.
On the feast of the Assumption of Mary, we looked to Mary as a reminder of Christ’s words of hope to all of us. However, the weekend’s news flashed one after the other of two areas of mass suffering, one the natural disaster of a major earthquake in Haiti and the other, the military takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban as the United States withdraws its troops.
Early estimates suggest over 1300 people were killed and thousands injured. As neighbors attempt to help neighbors and international support rallies, efforts are complicated by the July assassination of President Jovenal Moise.
As the Taliban advanced, Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani fled Kabul, saying his presence would result in additional bloodshed. Efforts are being made to evacuate troops and those who have worked with our troops.
News analysts and elected and military leaders will analyze the strategies of our withdrawal and the relief and recover efforts in Haiti. As believers we are called to mourn with and pray for our suffering brothers and sisters and to give material relief as we are able.
