Let us pray

For some weeks now we have seen the horrible scenes from Afghanistan.

The Talibans took over the whole country in a very short time.

The other day the islamic State conducted an unbelievable horrible attack on innocent people, killing so many and wounding even more.

Should the American forces leave Afghanistan? Should they leave right now?Should they have been there in the first place?

I'm glad that on these occasions I'm not the president. Yes or no on the questions, I'm not judging nor pushing on either side. The evacuation is not the smoothest. Lots of people could be stranded and now people are dying in their attempt to board an aircraft to freedom.

Everytime USA is attacked they want to fight back. That's the human instinct. Perhaps the best thing to do, or perhaps not.

When president Biden spoke the other day he said that " we will never forget, we will never forgive, we will let you pay".

Forgetting and forgiving is not the same thing. Forgiving is an act of humility, an act that is very hard. That's why we need God's grace, we need the holy spirit. Unforgiveness is like a sickness, eating you from the inside. Forgiveness is not for them, it's for us.

Jesus said:"If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done." -- Matthew 6.14-15

Jesus was also talking about forgiving your neighbors. That's hard. You see, I have some really annoying neighbors. But Jesus also told us to forgive our enemies. I guess that's even harder.

When we act in anger, when we look for revenge, we need to be aware of the setbacks. 

I'm not a pacifist, I do not want these cruel people to slip away from what they have done wrong.We just need to take a moment to pray and ask for God's advice.

Let us pray for the People suffering in Afghanistan, all the people who lost their lives, for the families affected,  all the marines and all the christians who are now living in fear.

AMEN