Faith Matters – Consolation

As we enter into Lent the attention of the world is upon the events in Ukraine. The invasion of a sovereign country by an aggressor is confronting and alarming. Global events like this shake our vision of an ordered world and can lead to concern or even fear. As we watch this moment in history unfold what good can we draw from the violence being acted out against a vulnerable nation? Our sacred text can offer us great insights and consolation at this time.

The first thing that must be considered as we seek to make sense of the senseless nature of war is that warfare is sadly a very human behaviour. It is an act that we as humans all too often enter into. From the earliest times communities and in turn civilisations have fought against one another. The emotions that lead humans to accept the invitation to participate in warfare are conversely opposed to the intrinsic nature of our soul. 

However, the Lord loves us unconditionally and offers us the preeminent gift of free will. In Genesis we see the primal emotion of jealousy overcome Cain who does the unthinkable and kills his brother. This story explains to us all conflicts throughout human history and offers us a perfect yet simple understanding of the events we see in the world at this time. At any time, we can choose God’s will or our own. When we choose our own will we acknowledge what God wants but choose what we want anyway. This is the story of Cain and Abel. In the modern word we see an allegory of this sacred story playing out in Ukraine. We see this occurring again today as the invasion of Ukraine unfolds. We as humans knowingly choosing what we want rather than the love that God wants us to understand and share in the world.

Many Christians look to the story of Job in difficult these times like these. In the Bible we encounter Job who suffers so much and prevails over evil through his faith in God. Sadly, this story is often misinterpreted and read in a literal manner. The God we know does not allow the suffering on his children. We individually choose if others suffer in our world; God does not choose. The story of Job is one of great faith but is limited in its underdeveloped awareness of God and our crucial role in the world. There is little comfort in the story of Job when we experience events like the invasion of Ukraine. To understand our Creator in the context of these events we need to read on.

In the New Testament we experience the complete and intimate revelation of God to humanity. Reading the Gospel can illuminate our understanding of our God and the events we see unfolding today.

Fr Gerry Healy SJ recently related a story to me of a video that he used in his first years of teaching. Very much like the Spiritual Exercises, the short video illustrated of the Trinity sitting up in heaven looking down upon the brokenness of the world. In looking at all the good and evil they decided someone had to go down and show humans a new way. The members of the Trinity drew straws and Jesus (God the Son) drew the short straw.

So Jesus was born into the world and experienced the fullness of human life. He healed without hesitation, taught us a new way, was rejected and killed. His sacrifice however was not in vain. With the most perfect expression of love he sacrificed himself for all people, of all time, personally and through his resurrection offers salvation for all people until and beyond the end of time.

Today, we see this love being offered in so many ways. Even in our fragile individual state we have the opportunity to act out this love each day. The ‘original’ Greek version of the Bible can offer us an insight into how we can as a single member of an earthly family of almost eight billion people can bring about the Kingdom of God; even in the face of enormous world events. Love is the answer. Love is the centre of our being. Love is all that exists. Warfare, hate, jealousy, in fact all that is wrong is the world is simply the absence or distortion of love.
As we live our lives we bring the perfection of our Creator into the world through love. The ‘original’ Bible is beautiful as it vividly describes love in its many forms; philia (friendship), eros (romantic), storge (family) and agape (unconditional and indescribable in its perfection).

Regardless of the ‘type’ of love we offer each day we personally act out God’s plan in the universe. In loving others and ourselves as he does we become more like him and in doing so overcome the darkness of the world. The light always prevails. What we see the horrible events in Ukraine but it’s not the end of the story. If we look beyond the surface, the violence and evil of war, we see God overcoming the world. Through acts of love his presence brings light and peace even where destruction seems to rule. This truth and choice is found all over Ukraine and in fact all over our world – eternally!

During Lent let us make a choice in our community to choose God’s will and do all we can to make a difference in the world. We individually have great power over events in our lives and even those we see in Ukraine that can seem so overwhelming.
Our patron, St Ignatius of Loyola, knows this and prays for us. He experienced and acted upon the primal warlike emotions that drove him as a young soldier seeking fame and fortune. He also knows the contentment that is found only in our Lord and expressed only in love of our brothers and sisters. I wonder what advice our Saint would have about warfare at the end of his life and how his wisdom could soothe the hurt that leads one to violence. I am in awe of how the consolation he found in Our Lord, who calmed his soul and removed all that was not of Him. I pray that you reflect on his life and at this time experience the completeness of God’s love and that any concern or anxiety disappears as it did for Ignatius.

As we enter into Lent let us offer the Lord our concerns and rest in his peace. As the world around us grapples with another conflict, may God comfort you and bring you peace. All is well and all will be well. Our role in the world is to offer love and find peace and the fullness of consolation in our Creator. In achieving this we remove all anxiety and bring his Kingdom to life in our lives and our world.

May the Lord bless you with consolation and deep contentment as you enter into Lent. May he transform your heart and in doing so make visible his agape love to all who encounter you. May the Spirit bless and guide you and may Jesus our brother and friend walk with you in this journey.

Yours in Christ,

Brendan Nicholls
Liturgy Coordinator