...My peace I give you... not as the world gives. Let not your hearts be troubled...
(John 14:23-31)
 
...Os dejo la paz... no os la doy como la da el mundo. No se turbe vuestro corazón ni se acobarde...
(Juan 14:23-31)
 
Dear Sisters and Brothers,

We have come to know one another and serve side by side responding to the human need and pain resulting from the tragedies of September 11, 2001.  The scripture selected for this week, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, certainly could not be more appropriate as it is the message we have been bringing through our work.  This powerful week begins with the Confession of St. Peter, continues with a day of observation for the The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and ends with the Conversion of St. Paul.  This week we are truly in extraordinary company.

Together and unified, in Jesus’ blessed name, we do not accept the unmet needs of the hidden victims who now experience even deeper poverty, hunger, homelessness, emotional trauma and despair.  Our arms are open daily to families of victims as well as those who survived on that day and live with extraordinary guilt.  Individually and through our interfaith agency expression, we have put down roots at a place where innocence was lost and fear abounded. It is to these fears, questions of heart and human need to which our common Gospel speaks through our ministry.  This is a powerful statement.

Let us this week be truly mindful of the unique and rich gifts we each bring and the most extraordinary common Gift we celebrate at the manger.  Together we walk along the Via Delerosa with our Savior to the Cross.  With one voice we sing Alleluias which echo in the empty tomb.

In the daily expression of St. Francis, “May the Lord give you Peace!”

John

--
Dr. John J. Scibilia, Executive Director
Lutheran Disaster Response of New York (LDRNY)
22 Cortlandt St.  20th Fl
New York, NY 10007
866-864-1600
John@LDRNY.org
www.LDRNY.org