Every year for Easter, my school sends a group of students to Washington, D.C. for an Easter sunrise service at the Lincoln Memorial. Every year we leave late Saturday night, arrive at the Memorial and stay up all night setting up chairs and equipment for the service at 6:30. Its absolutely exhausting but also one of my favorite times of the year. There is something about sitting on the stone steps with thousands of other believers celebrating the Resurrection that sparks unbelievable joy.

 

This year was more bittersweet than most. We had just gotten back when we heard the news of the bombings in Sri Lanka.

 

And looking back, I couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. While I was celebrating Easter, Christians were being martyred for their faith. And while I could raise awareness about this or write articles or donate money, none of those things will ease their suffering. My brothers and sisters halfway around the world are experiencing unimaginable pain and there is little I can do to help them.

 

Yet, we are all united for them. Pastors, priests, evangelists, bishops and believers all over the world united in their heartbreak and prayers. Despite all the division going on in the Church, despite all of the issues and differences, we are all one body of believers. I am humbled knowing that I am part of the family of God. Not just theoretically, but literally. That when some of us are hurting, our brothers and sisters from all over the world rally together in support and love. That at the end of the day, whether we are Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant, we are all believers in Christ Jesus.

 

I wish there was more I could say or do. I wish I had the words to heal those affected. But the only thing that I and many other Christians can do is stand with them in their suffering.

 

If you would like to help the victims of the bombings, the Red Cross of Sri Lanka is accepting donations here.

 

“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2