Not long ago I wrote about Lebanese Christians who have literally been caught in the crossfire as the Israeli military pushes into the country in search of Hezbollah operatives. A beloved priest was killed by shelling when he refused to leave the village and the congregation he served.
A few days ago we saw the jarring image of an Israeli soldier using a sledge hammer to smash a crucifix in a small community, a shocking and gratuitous act. Since the photo went viral that soldier and another were jailed by the Israeli military and I would hope their careers are over.
Since this disturbing incident the Israeli government apologized and replaced the crucifix with a much more ornate one, Now Italian peacekeepers have installed one that is closer to the original figure, in the same spot. According to CNN
Debel’s Catholic parish priest, Father Fadi Felefli, echoed that sentiment, telling CNN the gift of the new statue was giving residents traumatized by weeks of nearby fighting much-needed hope.
As for the Israeli soldiers who smashed the statue, Felefli told CNN he would continue to spread the Christian message of forgiveness.
“We are the sons of peace and sons of forgiveness; like Jesus said when he was being crucified, ‘God forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.’”
This is a powerful message in an otherwise deeply disturbing moment in time.
