Fr Frans van der Lugt, shot Homs, Syria, 7 April, 2014
Because since 1966 he tried to help the poor
Because he saw people, not Muslims or Christians
Because he opened a school for disabled children
Because he stayed with them, trapped in the city of Homs
Because no food was allowed in and people were desperate
Because he believed the world would wake up and send food and medicine
Because he was afraid but still opened to the knock on the door
Because the monastic rule is hospitality
Because he did not resist his assailant
Because a man faithful to peace is a red flag to hatred
Because he coloured love’s standard with his lifeblood
Because he was a ray of joy and hope and burning for justice.
©Sue Norton
