20 December. Read, reflect, share, pray.  Conversion.   When Busi was old enough he was sent to the local mission school. That was where he heard more about Jesus, the greatest king of all, a strong king who did not make war but believed in peace. Busi often listened to stories told by Brother Francis, who had come from far away across the sea and still remembered the great war in Europe and other parts of the world more than 60 years ago.   Many millions of people had been killed as opposing sides fought fierce battles. Many Jewish people too were killed especially because of their faith.  Brother Francis believed only in peace, like Jesus did and the first Franciscan brother, St Francis himself, and of course our own Pope Francis who so often says how sad he is about the many wars today and how he prays for the many children who suffer.

It was Brother Francis who thought up the idea of a pilgrimage for children, bringing them together from many countries where they have suffered because of war.  He wanted to bring them to the place where Jesus, the real king of peace was born.  He knew that nowadays even young children can surf the net and soon they can find out, on their parents’ or their own computers, about the conflicts that happened in all kinds of countries, all over the world.  He thought how children know so much with their heads and at times with their bodies too, but sometimes they have not felt these painful things yet in their hearts.

Scripture:  Jesus said, “suffer little children to come to me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Pope Francis: The symbol of the heart has often been used to express the love of Jesus Christ. Some have questioned whether this symbol is still meaningful today. Yet living as we do in an age of superficiality, all of us need to rediscover the importance of the heart. [Dilexit Nos 2]  Children need help in  the process of inner healing and in this way grow in the ability to understand and live in peace with others. Pray for children everywhere who suffer because of the heartlessness of others.