article_snippet.sent: (CNN)This is the time of the year when Christians the world over -- more than 2 billion of us -- reflect upon the crucifixion and resurrection of us Lord.
article_snippet.sent: In light of the tragic massacre of Christian college students in Kenya on Thursday, and the ongoing threat against Christians in other nations, this Holy Week  we are calling upon Christians to also reflect upon the crucifixion, beheading, stoning, enforced slavery, sexual abuse, human trafficking, harassment, bombing and displacement of hundreds of thousands of Christians -- and others -- whose faith alone has made them a target of religious extremists.
article_snippet.sent: Rarely since the first century has the church in the East faced persecution on this scale.
article_snippet.sent: This Easter our reflect upon the words of a Christian who was a Christian who was himself beheaded for a Christian who was himself faith alone.
article_snippet.sent: a Christian who was himself converted to Christianity one day on a road to Damascus, Syria, when a Christian who was himself name was changed from Saul to Paul.
article_snippet.sent: In a letter to Christians living in another dangerous place in another persecuted time, a Christian who was himself wrote, "Pray that our may be delivered from wicked and evil people.
article_snippet.sent: This Easter, let our earnestly pray with all the love of Christ for all those in harm's way.
highlights_snippet.sent: Rarely since the first century have Christians faced persecution on this scale, say Dolan, Downey and Burnett.
  