‘To mercy, pity, peace and love, all pray in their distress…’ William Blake
Dear friends
There is widespread disbelief, bewilderment and dismay. There is a new war in Europe. In what would appear to be a David and Goliath battle, Russian troops have invaded Ukraine, and we see lives being shattered and know that incalculable suffering will be inflicted, as civilians and soldiers are injured and bereaved. In this desperate situation, as civilians flee or shelter underground, or prepare to fight, Pope Francis’ words rings true: ‘War is a failure of politics and of humanity, a shameful capitulation, a stinging defeat before the forces of evil.’
Using violence to enforce change and control comes at a huge price. In contrast with the warfare of earthly leaders, Pope Francis describes Jesus as the teacher who shows humanity the senselessness of violence. Jesus walks in the ways of truth and love, and brings healing, order and peace.
In response to this crisis, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York are supporting Pope Francis’ call to observe Ash Wednesday as a special day of prayer for Ukraine. Winchester Cathedral will continue to pray for Ukraine, as we have been doing over past days. The Great Screen was lit last week, and over the weekend, in the yellow and blue of the Ukrainian flag. We will be observing Ash Wednesday as a ministry day, with formal Services in the cathedral at noon and 5.30pm, and ‘Ashes to Go’ outside. A special prayer intention will be kept during Ash Wednesday for the people of Ukraine and an end to war there, and throughout the world.
There is a Ukrainian proverb: ‘God is looking for those who come to Him’. This is a beautiful summary of the parable in which the father of the prodigal son scans the horizon, looking for his son to return. On Ash Wednesday God is looking for us to come back.
Perhaps this Lent we can return to God by deliberately choosing his paths of mercy, pity, peace and love by becoming peace-makers in our families and communities. Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the peace makers’. Making peace will involve listening to one another, and to ourselves, not jumping to criticise and judge, not rejecting one another but striving to understand and reconcile.
At the time of writing this, Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, spoke these inspirational words in a broadcast from London: ‘Lord, make this moment of peril an occasion for your Holy Spirit, to show your world the cost of conflict and our dependence on one another. In Christ our Lord, who went to his death because of our hatred, and rose again, because our hatred is never stronger than your indomitable love.’
This Lent, may we enter more deeply into that indomitable, unconquerable, love of God.
I’ll close with a prayer of similar sentiment, from Archbishop William Temple:
O Almighty God, the Father of all mankind,
we pray thee to turn to thyself the hearts of all peoples and their rulers,
that by the power of thy Holy Spirit peace may be established among the nations
on the foundation of justice, righteousness, and truth;
through him who was lifted upon the cross to draw all men unto himself,
even thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
AMEN
