U.S. Army, soldiers celebrate Catholic Easter Mass inside St. Elijah’s Monastery in April, 2010 (AP photo)

Through all the history of our Catholic faith, physical buildings to worship our Lord, have come and gone. Our faith and our Lord Jesus Christ remain. The physical building of St. Elijah’s Monastery of Mosul may no longer stand, but we do in Jesus Christ and with Jesus Christ. One day, in His time, God willing, worship of our Lord may resume in that exact spot, just as it has time and time again through all the world, time and time again.

In listening to Bishop Robert Barron’s podcast Homily for this weekend, as Catholics, we are called to remember where we came from. We are to never forget that it is our Lord who has built the wall and is the bridge in our faith. Remember that not only was are Lord persecuted and put to death but He also resurrected!

Praying for my brothers and sisters all over the world, facing the same persecution as did our brothers and sisters through all history. Along with the conversion of hearts of those responsible. Finding myself pondering our Lords words, with that of St. John Paul II: “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” Along with do not abandon yourselves to despair. “We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.” – St. Pope John Paul II

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”