30th Sunday A
29th October 2023
“Let there be peace”
My friends,
The world is at war again and we should not underestimate its potential to grow into a monster beyond our control. The wars we know/hear about are Russia/ Ukraine and Hamas/Israel but we know lesser wars are going on in Africa and Asia. Greed, hurt and a desire for vengeance are the root of all conflict and peace only becomes possible when the human reality of one another is recognised and accepted.
The human tragedies that are unfolding in the Ukraine and the Gaza strip are beyond our imagining in terms of the pain and destruction that is being inflicted – all in the name of land and identity.
Into this current situation we read to-day from the Book of Exodus.
“Tell the sons of Israel this “You must not molest the stranger or oppress him, for you lived as strangers in the land of Egypt. You must not be harsh with the widow and orphan. If you are harsh with them, they will surely cry out to me and be sure I will hear their cry”
One can immediately substitute Hamas for Israel in that injunction to treat the widow and orphan with respect and compassion. Such conduct is the measure of our humanity and the sincerity of our civility.
Along with the words from Exodus we have a re-echo of the great commandment on the lips of Jesus in the Gospel as he quotes the Shema – beloved all the descendants of Abraham.
You shall love the Lord your God
With all your heart, with all your soul
And with all your mind….
You must love your neighbour as yourself”
In a time of great turmoil, we can be prone to disenchantment and despair – believing the sense of vengeance is so deep that no reconciliation is possible. And yet we also know that the heart can grow weary of hate and the wasteland it creates. That’s when the seeds of peace can take root. This is always our hope and prayer that in the midst of the great destruction of war there will be people of courage – who seek to be makers of peace.
That core Gospel call is always a personal call – to sincerely seek the love of God and neighbour at all times. This is a high bar to set for ourselves – to at all times wish and nurture the good of the other, be it in marriage, work settings and our friendships.
Suspicion, hurt and resentment can take root so easily in our hearts – unless we are vigilant. While social media is a great blessing on many levels, it can be a toxic space especially for some young people – if that’s the case for you – get help – talk to someone who can guide you through it.
We live in a time of growing polarisation – you are my friend or my enemy – it is not right and it’s not necessary. It leads to great unhappiness and it can so easily kill our sense of joy in life. As always, the Word of God to-day offers us the wisdom that can lead on a path of peace.
We remember to-day so many families affected by violence and war and those who seek to protect them in their trauma.
May we ourselves nurture hearts of healing and hope for ourselves and our troubled world.
