We do apologize for not updating the blog for a little while. Last week saw us travelling to Dereham midweek ahead of a meeting of the Walsingham group, and we returned from Walsingham ill and have spent the last three days in bed! So many moments in which to say 'yes' to the Lord more fervently than ever - would that we could do so easily!
Undoubtedly, however, much of our attention has been drawn in the last few days to the extraordinary and ominous events unfolding in Eastern Europe. We are watching history unfold before our very eyes. The events of the last few days will undoubtedly have a profound and lasting impact on international affairs - perhaps even on our own lives. We are yet to feel fully the economic consequences but these too may be significant.
There is no easily available, just-add-water-and-stir spiritual answer to events of such magnitude. We are human after all, and we are both vulnerable and slow to understand. Some of us may be personally affected immediately by what is happening if we have family in Ukraine or nearby countries. Others may have friends there or close by, as is the case for us. Others among us may feel more personally remote from the situation. And yet, in a great and mysterious way, we are all concerned and should feel concerned.
So, when we are ready to bring ourselves and this issue before God, we have now more than ever a perfect opportunity to plunge more deeply into what it means to drink Christ's cup of suffering with Him. Many Ukrainians are our brothers and sisters in Christ. All Ukrainians and indeed Russians are our fellow citizens of the world. The persecution of every innocent soul, the broken bodies of the refugees and the victims of bombings and other atrocities, are all so many blows aimed at the heart of God who has commanded His followers to love one another as He has loved us. How can we not grieve in such evil times?
As is so often the case, the gospel of today offers us a lifeline of sorts to unravel this ungodly mess. "Your light must shine in the sight of men [...] so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven." Few of us are called to solve the problems of the world. All of us, however, are called to say 'yes' and 'thank you' to God every day, so His goodness may become the woof and weft of the existence He has given us.
All of us are capable of coldness; let us conquer it with the warmth of His love despite the cold shadows or war. All of us are capable of hostility; let us vanquish it in our hearts with His goodness which seeks to reconcile, sundering ties only with the burdens of sin.
May all know the Father's love through our actions this Lent. And may we be worthy to follow our Crucified Lord in His victory parade up the hillside of Calvary.
Mary, behold your children and keep us close to Him.
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