My Dad is planting a church for people who are refugees and those whose background is from the Middle East in Australia, so he keeps an eye on the news in the area. And he sent me this incredible excerpt of a speech by Pope Francis to the Christian Community in Qaraqosh, Iraq on 7 March 2021.
Before we get to the excerpt, Qaraqosh, also known as Bakhdida in Aramaic, is an Assyrian city located within the governorate of Nineveh. Predominantly inhabited by a Christian population, Qaraqosh was invaded in 2014 under the regime of the so-called Islamic state which left many dead, and caused devastation to properties and forced thousands to flee for their lives. After the city’s liberation in 2016, support from the Church and the international community have helped in reconstruction efforts.
“Dear friends, this is the time to restore not just buildings but also the bonds of community that unite communities and families, the young and the old together.
The prophet Joel says, “Your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions” (cf. Joel 3:1).
When the old and the young come together, what happens?
The old dream dreams, they dream of a future for the young. And the young can take those dreams and prophecy, make them reality.
When old and young come together, we preserve and pass on the gifts that God gives. We look upon our children, knowing that they will inherit not only a land, a culture and a tradition, but also the living fruits of faith that are God’s blessings upon this land.
So I encourage you: do not forget who you are and where you come from! Do not forget the bonds that hold you together! Do not forget to preserve your roots!”
Just thought I would share this incredible word on the power of Growing Young and that of all generations coming together.
Martin van Rensburg writes from Brisbane, Australia
Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-03/pope-francis-qaraqosh-iraq-apostolic-journey.html
Growing Together 