Easter?

The world came to a standstill on Good Friday, the day commemorating an ancient Palestinian named Jesus, the Christ, who died, was buried, and – according to the story that has come down to us – rose again after three days.
At least 65,000 other, lesser-known Palestinians have died in these months of barbarism – other Christs, whom we are certain will not rise again. And then there are Christs who die daily in the Middle East, at the hands of ‘democratic’ armies, in Ukraine and Lebanon – both of which have already been the focus of GSI Italia’s humanitarian efforts, on the 24th, then the 25th and 26th, right up to today. Ukraine has all but vanished from television screens, where the echoes of today’s 56 regional wars—such as those in the Congolese Kivu and Pakistan—have never reached, and which together justify Pope Francis’s assertion that we are in the midst of a fragmented Third World War.
I share with you the profound sadness of the many who, in these areas of conflict and death, have committed themselves to being lay peacemakers. These many people, to whom the staff of GSI Italia also belong, are present on the scenes of suffering, death and devastation, continuing their commitment to solidarity, even though Friday leaves no room for a longed-for Sunday of resurrection, of joy, of a peace regained.

It will not be Easter in Palestine, nor in Israel, Iran or the Gulf States, nor in Ukraine or the dozens and dozens of regions across Africa, Asia and South America, where Christs continue to die and Marys, alongside them, die within. We are unable to tell them that after Friday comes Sunday.
Men of little faith, who nevertheless stubbornly believe that a Health Campaign for Palestine is a commitment that must be honoured, to come to the aid of those who remain, on a Good Friday that leaves no room for Sunday.