Gabriel – On London
It has not been long since I arrived in England. Yet, I feel like I’ve been here for years.
I have already experienced great things here and I’m so glad I am serving in Benefice. I’m sure there will be even more amazing moments that we will share together.
The other week was very sad for all of us. My Tuesday morning started with the news of the terrorist attack on Manchester.
This made me reflect on a number of things.
I know this is not the first time that such an attack has happened, but this time I felt much closer to it all since Manchester is not so far from Worksop and Shireoaks.
In Brazil we always feel sorry for these situations, but the distance makes such horrific events feel remote.
It hurts my heart to see children and young people losing their lives so soon. I think about the friends and relatives of the victims who are gone.When we consider the world we live in. When so many seek their own interest, rebellious and angry hearts distant from God.
Yet, one must ask: ‘What causes a person to kill himself and bring others together?’
And my heart cries out: “More love please !!”
Thursday we were at a school, we joined the children in celebrating the day of Jesus’ ascension to the heavens. The children were asked to write prayers for the relatives and victims of Manchester. They tied in balloons and then released. We read almost every child’s prayer and I could see the purity and sincerity of their hearts. They were thankful for the simplest things. They valued what really should be valued “loving our neighbour”.
So my prayer this week is about love. We need to return to that innocent, childlike prayer. Not only because this attack happened and it causes to be more emotional, but because it is a command of God, He created love, He is love itself.
This week seek to announce His love to people, He is alive.
God bless you !