Yesterday I spoke on the phone with a good friend of mine from Iraq. We talk a lot about Islam, Christianity, and life. But now we talk almost exclusively about the huge, complex, heart-wrenching problems of suffering in Syria, Iraq, and Gaza.
This is what he said to me yesterday about Gaza.
These are words that touched me deeply.
This is why I love him.
He said with real compassion in his voice:
“Today I saw the funeral of an Israeli soldier. I saw his family crying. My heart was broken. Do you think I don’t care? I care! I care about all of humanity. I am sad for the children of Gaza. And I am sad for the family of the Israeli soldiers killed there too.”
Israeli soldiers weep at the grave of Israeli Sgt. Adar Barsano during his funeral on Sunday, July 20, in Nahariya, Israel.
A relative mourns during the funeral of Rani Abu Tawila, a Palestinian who was killed in an Israeli attack, on July 18, in Gaza City.
No matter what your religion or your politics regarding the tragedy in Gaza, I believe my friend reflects the heart of God.
In the Injil (Romans 12:15), we are told to:
“weep with those who weep” – to “mourn with those who mourn.”
On both sides. . .
It is simply compassion.
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