The treasure of displaced Iraqis

The Lord Jesus famously declared that "where your treasure is, there also will your heart be" (Matthew 6:21).

The truth of these words is powerfully illustrated in a photo post at The Week showing what items displaced Iraqis took with them as they ran from home. Each of the images touches the heart, but there are three I find particularly moving.

One unidentified woman from Qaraqosh fled with her rosary:

PHOTO: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Khidhir Badry fled his home with the images of Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin:

PHOTO: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Another woman from Qaragosh, Shony Franso, took the golden cross around her neck:

PHOTO: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Too often do we forget that tens of thousands of Iraqis have been forced from their homes because of their faith in Jesus Christ, as these three photos bear witness. As they fled before the forces of the Islamic State, these Iraqi Christians made certain to bring reminders of their faith to help lend them courage, comfort, and hope.

They have neither forgotten nor abandoned their Lord; let us neither forget nor abandon them.

Please, keep them in your daily prayers:

O God, who in your inscrutable providence

will that the Church be united to the sufferings of your Son,

grant, we pray, to your faithful who suffer persecution for your name's sake

a spirit of patience and charity,

that they may be found true and faithful witnesses

to the promises you have made.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God for ever and ever.

- Collect from the Mass for Persecuted Christians

Likewise, if you are able, please consider making a contribution to an organization giving aid to our persecuted brothers and sisters in Iraq and Syria, particularly Aid to the Church in Need, the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, or the Knights of Columbus.