It has been weeks already since the war between Israel and Hamas militants started but there is no sign of peace. The world is shocked and saddened for the devastation it has caused. It has taken many innocent lives and civillians. It is a kind of horrible and unbearable terror. It is just hard to believe that this kind of human-made suffering is happening in the world.
What pains us more is that there are many overseas Filipino workers whose lives are at stake because of the tension that arises between Israel and Palestinian militants. Worse is that there are Filipinos whose lives are being sacrificed for this war. They were held captives before they were mercilessly killed by the Hamas. They died for their bravery and loyalty to the people they worked for and not even related by blood. And this is what Filipinos are made known for. Filipinos just willingly die for others. Overseas workers are the real heroes of our time.
From the time Filipinos stepped-out of their doors to work in a foreign land, it becomes always a gamble both of their dreams for family and loved ones and the risk of their own lives. From there, they deal everyday with homesickness, the feeling of being alone, the hardships and the uncertainties from being away from home. To work overseas takes a lot of courage and strong will power.
For us Filipinos, family is both our weakness and strength. Family becomes a weakness because we are easily softened when it comes to family matters. Yet it becomes our strength because we are always willing to sacrifice, to do anything and everything for the sake of family.
For all who have died in the war, we may never know the kind of physical and emotional torture they have been through in the hands of their abductors for their way is inhumane. Children were brutally killed and women were raped before killed. There are still many hostages and are made human shields by the militants.
We hear the testimony of some Filipinos working and residing near the borders that they are already used to hearing sirens as it seems to be already a way of their life there everytime rockets and missiles are intercepted in the air. They are used to keep safe in bomb shelters. I think this is sad and terrifying for them. Some of them, however, choose to stay in the middle of the fighting nations rather than go home, while some decided to be home and be reunited with family and loved ones.
We pray that the tension will not intensify and conflicts will be settled in bloodless and peaceful negotiations. We pray for all the victims and all who have died that they may find peace and rest in God’s kingdom.
And for all those who are held captives, we pray that they may be freed unharmed and be back to their families.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
May the deep wounds inflicted on the people of Israel and of Palestine and even of other nationalities who became collaterals, receive healing. May the people around the world console the affected families and victims through humanitarian help and aids.
Really our hearts go out to all the vulnerable, helpless and innocent victims. We feel their pains and agonies as their homes were turned into rubbles and powdered by the attacks that happened by air, land and sea as there’s no where to hide. We weep with their lost. They are scattered like sheep without shepherd. May God hear the cries of his chosen people and city of Israel and of the Palestines as we also pray for world peace. Lord hear our prayers.
Lynn Salinas-Batoliño
The Philippines
