Eastern European Tragedy

In the United States we have had our tragedies, Pearl Harbor, September 11, Civil War, etc. Each of these events have left their mark, or scar, but as Americans we have the mentality, that it gets better, life goes on, and we will get stronger because of these tragedies. We have overcome, we will overcome, and we have hope.

In Eastern and Central Europe, they have had more than their fare share of tragedies, starting with hundreds of wars over the last 1000 years, nations and kingdoms constantly fighting and breaking apart each other, fighting even among them selves, both world wars, the holocaust, communism. No wonder these people do not see hope, are not optimistic, can?t see how to overcome anything, nor can they solve a problem because they haven?t had to, or haven?t been able to. Eastern/Central Europe has always been a conquered land and people, always being taken over by some other influence, have it be the Nazi?s, the Soviet?s or anything else, only until recently has each people group been able to claim their own, and even then, they can?t agree on it.

We (as Americans) have nothing compared to this, we (as Christians) must realize we have an endless amount of hope available through Jesus Christ. We (as Humans) need to do our best to fight against things like those mentioned above, from happening again. The atrocities which have happened in the US are horrible, and to Americans, are tragic, but at least we have the ability to overcome, and the history to know we can, other places in the world do not have that, we (Christians, and Americans, along with Western Europe and other 1st world nations) should do our best to provide the correct help to people in the same situation as Eastern and Central Europe (such as the middle-east, Africa, etc). But I believe it is the Church?s number one priority to first care for these people?

[Mathew 25:31-46]

?But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. Then the King will say to those on the right, ?Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visted me.?

?Then these righteous ones will reply, ?Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?? And the king will tell them, ?I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!?

?Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ?Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his demons! For I was hungry, and you didn?t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn?t give me anything to drink. I was a stranger, and you didn?t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me no clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn?t visit me.?

?Then they will reply, ?Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?? And he will answer, ?I assure you, when you refused to help the last of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.? And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.?