In a couple of days Israel and the world, including Canada, will remember the innocent victims of the massacre of the 7th of October 2023. Many of whom were young people dancing at a concert. Some were infants. Others were seniors. They were assaulted (physically and even sexually). Some were kidnapped, from their own homes, and mistreated. Some were disrespected as dead bodies. May everyone’s memory be eternal and may God forgive the perpetrators of this massacre. May the grieving families and survivors heal year after year.
The 7th of October 2023 massacre by Hamas resulted in a cruel war in Gaza that some called genocide. All this violence, and the resulting suffering and grief, when will it stop?
Sadly, on the next day, the Iranian-sponsored Lebanese Hezbollah made the unwise decision to join war by opening a front with Israel. The latter dragged Lebanon into a long, costly, and highly destructive war.
May forgiveness, healing, peace, and love prevail not only in the Middle East but also in every world conflict. May this start with the light within people’s hearts. May such inner light spread, from one heart to the other, at the end of each person’s grief (and hopefully growth) journey. May the same light shine in the hearts of people living very far from the Middle East. They sometimes get too passionate about it, without nuance, to the point of intolerance of other people’s opinions in their own countries.
Last but not least, may the “Sperenza”—hope in Italian—of Mr. Claudio Capéo’s beautiful French song teach both older and younger generations how to be courageous, hopeful, and how to love. Perhaps then the light of peace can start shining despite wars and endless conflicts.
P.S: you can find an English translation of the lyrics here: https://tinyurl.com/4zcf6hct.
What a beautiful piece of love and forgiveness… nothing that came after that massacre led to peace. Far too many Jewish people worldwide suffered – and still do- unimaginable hate with crowds gathered on university campuses chanting horrible, absolutely horrible words of hate. Where did rational thought go? Why are people who haven’t a clue about the underlying currents that have kept all of the Middle East trapped in a history that can never ever be undone feel obligated to join such crowds which only fuel more hate! It is not that these crowds march for peace for everyone. It is not that these crowds march in prayer, hugging one another, and hand-hand regardless of culture and religion. Just incredible sadness for all…
Bambi is grateful for your kind words about her post and for your thought-provoking comment. Thank you Mirella.