The Cries of the Oppressed

“What is our sin that God punishes us with such a trial? Where is the just God? Does he not see the injustices inflicted upon us? What fault have these children committed to be left without a roof to shelter them as they sleep? What is the fate of our children, who have been deprived of everything, even their schools?”

These were the desperate cries of families who sought refuge at St. Joseph Cathedral on the night of August 7, 2014. They were fleeing the brutal attacks of ISIS, faced with an impossible choice: renounce their faith in Jesus Christ, pay a tax of servitude, or face certain death. Leaving everything behind, they clung only to their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Our response was clear and unwavering: “Our God has not abandoned you. He has accompanied you, ensuring your safe arrival here with us. Our faith and hope remain steadfast that He will return with you to your homes in victory. Many have wielded the sword against faith in Jesus Christ, but they have been defeated by the steadfastness of believers in him.” We reassured them with the words of Jesus: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33).

The Virtue of Hope

The Catechism of the Catholic Church dedicates five paragraphs (1817–1821) to explaining the virtue of hope. It defines hope as a divine virtue through which “we desire the kingdom of heaven” as our ultimate happiness, trusting in the promises of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, generously poured out upon us, we are propelled to continue our journey of faith despite the difficulties of life (CCC 1817). The Spirit strengthens us when our resolve falters or when laziness tempts us to withdraw into ourselves.

Our hope in God never disappoints, as St. Paul wrote (Rom 5:5). This assurance enables us to remain joyful, patient in tribulation, and steadfast in prayer, addressing God as “Our Father.” Our hope extends even to the salvation of those who persecute us, trusting that through our patience, understanding, and peaceful rejection of their actions, the Holy Spirit will knock on the doors of their hearts.

Hope is not merely an anticipation of the future; it also transforms our present reality. It shapes our relationship with God the Father, revealed to us through Jesus Christ. Our faith is not grounded in abstract philosophies or wishful thinking but in the tangible hope manifested in Jesus Christ. He endured rejection, betrayal, suffering, and death, yet remained steadfast in the merciful fatherhood of God. On the Cross, he prayed for his crucifiers, saying, “Father, forgive them” (Lk 23:34). He assured the thief beside him of paradise (Lk 23:43). Such acts of love and mercy are born from unshakable hope in God.

Hope in Action Through Faith

Hope testifies to faith and manifests it through love. It calls us to respond to tribulation, hardship, suffering, and injustice with courage, faith, and meekness. It does not, however, absolve us of the responsibility to care for those in need. Empty words of comfort that fail to feed the hungry, quench the thirsty, or clothe the naked do not embody the love of Christ. Faith must be made visible through action.

In critical times, I believe God calls me to collaborate with others of goodwill to alleviate suffering. During the crisis of forced displacement described above, I reached out to bishops, priests, monks, nuns, and laypeople both within and outside Iraq. Together, we amplified the voices of the displaced, bringing their plight to international and ecclesiastical forums. Through collective efforts, we implemented relief programs that allowed these families to live with dignity until they could return to their villages in the Nineveh Plains in 2017.

Hope calls us to pray not passively but actively, listening to God and working for justice. Armed with the conviction that our efforts have meaning within God’s salvific plan, we can bring his presence to the poor and oppressed through our actions. This active listening to God deepens our personal relationship with him, sustains us in trials, and opens doors to unexpected opportunities.

Hope: A Moral Responsibility

Hope is not merely a wish or longing for a better future; it is a moral responsibility. When I prayed during the darkest days of the displacement crisis, I asked God to grant what I believed was good. Yet, I always concluded my prayers with “Thy will be done,” trusting that God knows what is best. Through the tragedy of displacement, God revealed the love and solidarity of faithful Christians worldwide. Their support illuminated the darkness of those days, reminding us that we are not victims but agents of mercy for the persecuted.

God’s promise through the prophet Isaiah rings true: “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Is 40:31). This divine hope inspired us to go beyond addressing immediate needs and to build a future of resilience and service. We established schools, a university, and a hospital, creating over 830 jobs. The Church’s role is not merely to recount past suffering but to secure a meaningful presence for the future.

A Call to Hope

Hope is not an escape from reality but a divine call to action. It invites us to bear witness to God’s fatherhood and his promise to be with us, guiding us to his promised land. However, we must also work diligently, as stewards of his creation, to fulfill this promise.

Hope challenges us to rise above despair and lamentation, urging us to undertake great works. The Church in Erbil cared for over 65,000 displaced people from Mosul and the Nineveh Plains, providing them with dignity without reliance on UN refugee camps. Their time in tents was brief thanks to the unwavering support of the faithful.

As I reflect on this journey, I am reminded of St. Paul’s words to the Romans: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Rom 5:3–5).

Hope is the bridge between faith and love. It sustains us through trials, inspires us to act, and assures us of God’s abiding presence. In responding to the call of hope, we embody Christ’s love, becoming instruments of his peace and agents of his justice in the world.