Chapter 479 Lord, Have Mercy! Lord, Have Mercy

The disparity in military strength was immense. The armies of Eric, Belem, Stephen, and Lagman, along with the small contingent of Frankish and English Barons Belem had deceived on his return from Cyprus, plus Brinyos’s insignificant Byzantine forces, meant the Crusaders in Hama could muster at most close to eight thousand men to face the enemy.

To face a large force of thirty or even forty thousand coming from Aleppo, victory seemed a remote possibility.

Of course, the Muslim citizens of Hama City could perhaps serve as defenders, but who could guarantee they wouldn’t turn traitor? And that was to say nothing of Mahmud in the Mountain Castle, who could rush out and attack Hama City at any moment while the Crusaders were engaged with the army from Aleppo.

To boost morale, Eric agreed to Brother John’s proposal to hold a Mass.

Before dawn, everyone climbed the mountainside in darkness, rising like Christ from the valley of death.

They crowded onto the summit, shivering as if in the cold grasp of the grave, waiting for the true light of resurrection—the light that never fails.

We waited in silence, our faces turned to the East, from where the word of salvation would come. On the far edge of the world, the daylight gradually gathered strength, growing stronger and stronger, until at last—when the power of darkness could no longer contain it—it burst forth in a magnificent radiance of life.

The sun rose, triumphant like the resurrected Christ, just as all will be resurrected on the last day.

When the first golden rays ignited the sky, the crowd took a deep breath and shouted praises toward the golden throne, "Hallelujah! Hosanna! Glory to God in the highest! Hallelujah!"

Led by Brother John, who held his Shepherd’s Staff high, the people formed a procession down the mountain, singing the Gloria all the way.

They returned to the small Church in the Christian community of Hama.

With so many guests and visitors, the Church could not hold everyone, so the first part of the Mass was conducted under the open sky.

The various parts of the Mass proceeded one by one: the Hymns, the Gospel reading, the Creed, the Psalms, and the Offertory prayers.

During the prayers, the visitors knelt in the Church, then rose and formed two lines at the door to welcome the procession of the Holy Body and the Holy Grail to the altar.

Brother John, with the assistance of the Priest of Hama, continued the sacred rites at the altar.

Eric was one of those who chose to stand outside the Church. ’Others need this more than I do,’ he thought. Even so, standing outside, he had no difficulty hearing.

Brother John’s booming voice carried into the courtyard and even beyond the walls of the Church.

"During His Passion," Brother John cried out while presenting the Holy Grail to God, "Jesus took bread... gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, declaring: ’Take and eat, for this is my body, which is given up for you in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the meal, he also took the cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to his disciples, saying: ’You, too, take and drink, for this cup is the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you in remembrance of me.’"

The crowd knelt in the sunlight, feeling the love of God in their hearts. One by one, they entered the Church, approached the altar, received Holy Communion from the hands of Brother John and the other Priests, and then returned to their places to receive a blessing.

"Now, all of this is not only for your personal salvation but also for the Lord’s cause, for the expansion and spread of the faith. You will shoulder the mission of the Holy War. Bearing this sacred Holy Body and Holy Blood, you will march toward your objective and fight for the glory of God.

Your Swords will no longer be mere tools of steel, but the instruments of God’s judgment and justice. This cup of Holy Blood will grant you fearless Courage, so that you will not be afraid when facing the enemy on the battlefield. You will stand firm in your faith in the face of hardship, carrying the will and glory of the Lord.

O Lord, on Your campaign, may we carry Your Holy Blood and Holy Body to conquer all darkness and injustice that hinders our faith. May we fight a glorious battle on the sands of war, and ultimately, with You as the symbol of our victory, return to Your holy kingdom."

According to the custom of the Mass, a joyous feast should have followed. However, the looming threat of the Muslim army weighed heavily on everyone, and the fear in their hearts could not be suppressed.

The feast ended in silence and gloom, as if the very air had frozen.

Time passed. The sun gradually sank, dyeing the western sky in hues of red and gold.

Brother John once again summoned everyone to follow him, and the crowd began a grand procession around the Cross in the center of Hama City.

After they had circled it once, twice, three times, he had everyone form a ring and stand around the Cross. In a hoarse voice, he said, "Behold this Cross! It is bare now, but it was not always so. I want you to remember, my friends, that dreadful, terrible day when the Son of the great King, bearing the weight of the world, hung upon that tree on Mount Calvary!

"Sorrow and shame, I say! Ah, Heart of my heart, Your own people seized You, bound You, and beat You! Green reeds struck firm flesh, and hateful fists struck ruddy cheeks! Wicked thorns became the crown for a sacred head; a borrowed robe mocked the shoulders that bore the filth of human sin.

"Then, their bloodlust did not cease. They nailed You up, cold and merciless nails piercing Your hands and feet. They raised You high to die in agony as Your people watched helplessly.

"Abominable acts! The Creator of the world was spat upon, and death stole the light from Your eyes." John’s voice choked with tears that streamed down his cheeks. "Thunder and storm could not restrain them; they cared not for rain, snow, or hail—nor did they heed the broken voice that cried out: ’Father, forgive them! They know not what they do!’"