As I write, bombing and violent attacks are increasing around the Middle East. As one side bombs or assassinates so the other feels compelled to respond in kind and the violence escalates and spreads. On each occasion those who have no power or control are killed, injured and made homeless. I don’t have to look far around the world to see the same cycles playing out, even if not covered so intensively by the media.
How does this make you feel? Do you get drawn in to the anger and hurt, wishing one side or the other to win? Do you feel helpless and hopeless, unable to do anything? Do you find that your anxiety and fear are triggered by this? Maybe you feel that you just have to look away and detach.
Jesus taught his followers to seek a way of peace at all costs, and to avoid retaliation and retribution:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.”
- Matthew 5:43-45
These are hard words to hear and respond to when we witness innocent people being killed, injured and driven out of their homes.
The American writer and teacher Parker Palmer describes the state of tension between what is and what could be as “the tragic gap”. This is an uncomfortable place of not reacting immediately to what is going on around us, but equally of not detaching from it. In relation to the warfare and violence that is happening around the world this means recognising our engagement in this endless cycle of war whilst still holding the possibility that we may someday live in peace.
Taking time to reflect, meditate or pray without words can help us hold that space. We can open ourselves to the shocking reality of what is happening and also allow ourselves space to breathe and hope, to remember the promise of the coming of God’s kingdom and to align ourselves with that purpose.
You may find the words of this prayer, attributed to St Francis, helpful as you reflect and pray
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.