From the Jordan River to the Sea of Galilee

One wonders how the  St. Cyril. Bishop of Jerusalem (AD 386)  would have viewed the current war between Palestinians and Jews.  An untiring warrior against heresies and all wolves that threatened the Church. including Arianism, St. Cyril experienced a personal struggle over territory in that region.  When Acacius, then over all bishops of Palestine, claimed his authority included Jerusalem, Cyril disputed him asserting this city as an “apostolic see” established by the Apostles.  (catholic.org)  However, St. Cyril’s far greater concern was the preservation of the Faith, and Jerusalem represented the life of Jesus Christ from the Nativity to the Holy Sepulchre about which he reputedly had miraculous visions.  From his heavenly state might not this astute prelate convey that true threat, as always, ever rises against Truth and Love.   Satan who would claim heaven as his domain if he could never ceases his prowling and settles for gross disruption, rule over Earth, and the confiscation of souls.   Cleverly, though, he masks his diabolical plans and presents them as secular rights in multiple, simultaneous conflicts.

We plead for St. Cyril’s  intercession on his Feast Day (March 18) because most people—in ignorance or malice—intensify the warfare most publicized the United States,  as  just two players battling over land and the right to exist, one solely.  Yet, no matter the “victor,” authentic Christianity will suffer, particularly Catholics, if not face eradication.   And note that even if Israel triumphs, certain orthodox Jews have harassed Christians and demanded their expulsion from Jerusalem.  Holy Land Bishops just reaffirmed the rejection of Christian Zionism. (Lifesite NewsMarch 17, 2025)

However, at this juncture, there looms nefarious threats to Christians everywhere that the Middle East conflict tends to deflect if not mask.   Terrorist Hamas may have coopted the slogan, “From the Jordan to the Sea,” originating in the previous century, but they are not the main force incessantly inciting mostly grossly uneducated youth mobs—with the aid of  American and global elitist leftists.  This intricate, atheistic, socialist web portends a much more sinister objective:  the annihilation of the true Faith, Christianity,  period.   So perhaps the unfiltered cry would be even more accurately known as “From the Pit of Hell to the Gate of Heaven,” with an underlying determination to rip away all holy spiritual roots of the Holy Land with its celebrated, universal fonts of life giving waters.   However accurate, that likely would deter the weak and lukewarm.  So, perhaps, From the Jordan River to the Sea of Galilee would suffice to promote unity in combatting the current heretics.

For Catholics,  irrespective of slogans,  urgently the wider assault demands our attention and courageous response.  Certainly Hamas must be defeated,  as our Catholic homeland would lay in waste, and worse become an anti Christian Islamic bastion.   However, we can not stall there.   Beyond the numerous historic markers of the life of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ and the early Church, as precious as they are in our faith life, we must act against the utter demolition of Christianity itself.  Of course we cherish pilgrimages to the  baptismal waters of the Jordan River in which Jesus Christ stood, along with numerous early believers and the Sea of Galilee which represents numerous encounters with Jesus Christ and many miracles.    Yet, we could lose the priests who provide us the Holy Mass and Sacraments, as well as be oppressed for even private prayer.  The former is true in communistic countries, and the latter even in those countries once Christian havens, like the U.K.

Therefore,  “From the river to the sea”—from both a secular and Christian viewpoint—bantered on America’s urban streets and wreaking havoc on educational institutions, among other pro Hamas terrorist behaviors, are a simultaneous attack on the one, true God as well and the Republic of the United States of America.  If successful, for Catholics,  they would destroy two homelands.

We may collectively and individually call this an outsider Hamas invasion but must still acknowledge that a it is one aided by antiChristian inside forces that have rotted Republic principles and religious tenets at minimum for three generations. In the past four years, the threat has been compounded by thousands of male migrants from various unfriendly corners of the world likely creating cells even as attention is diverted to raucous students in multi colored tents making ludicrous demands.

Righteous response is multi-pronged and encompasses the preservation of the Holy Land while defeating the enemy here, though, of course, the Catholic Catechism on just war is understood.  These areas of “combat” include civic involvement; legal and legislative action; collective identification of this lethal reality and disputation world wide among Christians; prayer, a Sacramental life, and good works; and only finally, engaged armed battle if the absence of such would result in even greater death. 

St. Cyril would likely promote prayer and devotion as the kickstart to any “activism.” Besides carefully and judiciously considering civil action, studying history and applicable law, and keeping informed, Catholics should prioritize “weapons of mass influence.”  Prayer is at the forefront for wisdom, temperance, fortitude, and justice.  Frequent Mass attendance and reception of the Sacraments; daily Rosaries and Divine Mercy Chaplets should begin and end the day.  Most importantly pray for conversion of hearts and souls.  Pray for enemies.

However, this does not replace visible witness in the public square.  Politics often evokes indifference or avoidance, not infrequently with the excuse of what difference does my vote make?  Or…”I cannot vote either Republican or Democrat,” so I won’t vote at all.  However, being civically involved is far more expansive than a ballot every two years or so.  Numerous opportunities provide citizens with ways to determine leaders, from HOA.s to the halls of Congress.  And before dismissing the irrelevance of community boards, many ambitious politicians start quite locally.   We have a responsibility, even obligation, to determine wise leadership as much as feasible.

It is widely known that unjust lawyers and judges have infiltrated the U.S. legal system, from bureaucrat clerks in government positions to federally appointed judges scattered throughout the United States.  Still, the faithful can “fight fire with fire,” as God has blessed us with many keen and knowledgeable minds to counter such nefarious interpretations of law and consequential self destruction.  

In one lawsuit filed on May 1, 2024 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia Alexandria Division, nine Plaintiffs are seeking damages from the AJP Educational Foundation, Inc. aka American Muslims for Palestine and National Students for Justice in Palestine.  Reviewing the forty-nine page complaint, the reader discovers numerous references that support the assertion that the campus uprisings are neither a spontaneous, merely indignant response to Israel’s counter offensive against Gaza nor a humanitarian call for justice.  (Readers are encouraged to study this extensive lawsuit reliant on excellent current and historical research).

Then, unity implies that everyone involved understands the nature of something,  common language about it, and acceptable collaborative response.  In order for Catholics to combat this evil here and around the world, there must be such common ground.  Problematically the work will be likely ground up towards parishes and Archdioceses rather than trickle down.  Still, there are some reliable sources of news and research, such as Catholic Vote (CatholicVote.org) and the Catholic League (catholicleague.org) .  The former gathers and distributes contemporary events and analysis here and abroad.  CV’s The Loop daily provides various pertinent news blurbs.  Its founder and President Brian Burch was instrumental in informing Catholics about the 2024 election, and he has been considered for the Ambassadorship to Vatican City.   William (Bill) Donohue has led “the nation’s largest Catholic civil rights organization” for decades, and he and his team demonstrate remarkable research abilities across many areas attacking the Church.. (See “Hamas Draws Widespread Left-Wing Support.”).  However, other Catholic periodicals (The Catholic World Report) and websites also prudently contribute to the conversation and extensive study of these challenges in accordance with the Catholic faith.  

As a side note, faithful Catholics already often have extensive world “connections,” with friends, family and just fellow world travelers.  The Internet and international organizations and associations have enabled almost instant communication.  Still, that network needs to be fired up.  Well composed social media posts emphasizing the truth in a genuinely peaceful manner are another vehicle, but caution, as emotions can override or destroy good fruit here.

Guided well by prayer and the Holy Spirit,  reasonable and verified indisputable information, Catholic should continue advocating, locally, within parishes and Archdioceses. Moreover we must persist and persevere in those efforts.  Like Moses, in the battle against the Amalekites, our hands should be symbolically raised in action to share truth.  (Exodus 17:11-13).  

As Catholic citizens with equal rights but also responsibilities, we must be vigilant but vocal; peaceful but persistent; and compassionate but convicted across many spheres of action.  We are truly in the fight for our lives and lands of freedom. Yet, if we fail to think, speak, and act like the martyred saints who preceded us, the horrible tragedy of war and mass destruction might be the ultimate end.  At that juncture, we could forfeit not only the Jordan River and Sea of Galilee but also the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, swallowing up millions of souls.