Luke 10:29
One of the primary ministries of Deacons in the Episcopal Church is to 'take the church to the world, and the world to the church.' This is going to be one of those Sundays.
This is the second time I had a sermon prepared, and current events compelled me to write a new one to address the atrocities occurring in Ukraine.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, wrote the following prayer for peace and justice. Let us pray:
God of peace and justice,
We pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace For wisdom, discernment and compassion To guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, That you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen. [1]
More than a dozen faith leaders offered prayers for a peaceful resolution to the escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine during an online vigil Wednesday, February 23, hosted by the Episcopal Church and the Friends Committee on National Legislation.
"There are people and children of God whose lives and freedom are threatened, and so we pray," said Bishop Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
The vigil came not long after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the independence of two Ukrainian regions bordering Russia and delivered a speech arguing Ukraine is part of Russia's "own history, culture, and spiritual space." Russian troops have been amassing around three sides of Ukraine for the last couple of weeks.
Faith leaders at the prayer vigil said members of their traditions dream of working for a world without war — and part of that work is prayer. They offered prayers for presidents Biden, Putin, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. The faith leaders lamented the world's worship of power and acknowledged that the poor and marginalized are the ones who would be the most impacted by continuing conflict.
"We're here with a commitment and persistence that peace is still possible. We can pull the world back from this brink yet." "We urge all those involved in this conflict to do everything they can to immediately end the hostilities, return to the negotiating table, protect all human life. We know that another way is possible."
"The drums of war are beating louder with each passing moment," "We must stand up as people of faith and people of peace to speak truth to power." [2]
And, we as Christians must add our prayers to those around the world seeking a peaceful resolution to this conflict.
As Martin Luther King, Jr said:
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
"no one is free until all are free."
Some people think that this conflict between Russia and Ukraine is none of our business. Or some view this as an example of the rightful reclaiming of something that had been lost. A faction of the United States fully supports Vladimir Putin' reclaiming' territory lost that once constituted the Soviet Union. Those countries broke away because they wanted to be self-determining and not under the control of oligarchs whose only interest was amassing their personal wealth to the detriment and sometimes death of their own people.
We MUST remember our recent history when Europe chose to ignore the early actions of Adolph Hitler. He consumed Poland in September 1939. No one took a stand at that time, thinking of him as an insignificant, petty madman. This was followed by Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and France in the Spring of 1940; Yugoslavia and Greece in the Spring of 1941 – in less than two short years, he changed the face of Europe. Then there was no stopping him, and we ended up in World War II. We cannot forget the ambitions of a despot left to his own devices.
Putin has invaded Ukraine to 'rescue' those Ukrainian people he perceives as Russian. In 2014, he annexed Crimea in a similar move, ending Post-Cold War European stability. It is not coincidental that the area he has invaded happens to be on a path to the Balkans, a country Putin has long wanted to rejoin to Russia. Reclaiming the Soviet Union is not a new dream of his; we cannot remain blind to Putin's ultimate plan to rule the entire world!
Multiple meetings with Putin and members of NATO and Europe failed in negotiations to stop his takeover of part of Ukraine. Germany, France, and Britain offered many alternatives, all to no avail. A line was drawn in the sand, which he insisted on crossing. Not only did Russia breach the borders of a sovereign country, but they have also executed a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Putin has vowed not to stop the assault until the Ukraine government topples. He has compounded this with a threat to open the nuclear wastewater storage at Chernobyl. Already Russian tanks are stirring up radioactive dust as they move through the nuclear plant site. The radiation levels in the worst-hit areas of the reactor building can provide a fatal dose of radiation in just over one minute.
NATO and countries of the European Union have united with the United States to contain this encroachment and cut off crucial resources to Russia. Germany has already shut down the natural gas pipeline to Russia. NATO has mobilized its European military resources along the border of Ukraine, Belarus, and Crimea. In addition, the United States has frozen the export of technology required for military and aerospace development, and imposed monetary sanctions against Russian banks, directly affecting the oligarchs close to Putin. Sanctions have been imposed against Belarus, which has facilitated the attack on Ukraine. These sanctions will soon begin to have an immediate effect on the stability of Russia, but they take time to start to affect those who are in charge. Additional military materials and armaments have been sent to Ukraine to bolster their security; we have been assured that no Americans will be engaged in any fighting.
There will be a conference of 37 countries, NATO, the European Union, and Japan, to determine additional pressure that can be brought to contain Putin and stop the war. This is the first time since World War II that all European nations and coalitions have banded together to address the aggression of Russia. Scandinavian countries, in the past, have remained neutral during any conflict but are joining the meetings.
We must all support Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine.
What is the most unfortunate impact of the actions taken to stop Putin is on the people of Russia. Being a dictator and oligarch, Putin cares nothing about the Russian people. Since he controls the news, many people in Russia may not even know what is going on or is being informed the war is caused by the 'horrible aggressor,' the United States.
More Russian people will be the victims of this assault on Ukraine. One-fifth of all Russians live in abject poverty, with another 36% 'at risk', amounting to approximately 19.3 million people. In a dictatorship, the innocent are always those most hurt by power-hungry leaders. And our hearts go out to those who will have more distress heaped upon their lives. Our allies are planning ways to accommodate refugees fleeing from Ukraine.
Disgustingly, political opponents of the current administration are using this situation to further erode the support and direction of the United States. They espouse the previous administration's adoration of Putin. We have to remember that Putin's goal is to destroy the United States. We must refuse to fall in with the naysayers, take a deep breath, and wait until things settle down. Fomenting discord will only support Putin's goal of destroying democracies.
Gas and food prices will temporarily go up as the administration figures a way to stabilize the war on Ukraine's effect on the American economy. This may cause us some hardship, but we need to keep the homeless, injured, and killed in our minds and hearts because of this war. This is the time for us to take care of our neighbors, those on fixed incomes, who may feel the increase in the cost of living. As Jesus told us:
We are our brother's keeper.
But the Ukrainians are not without backbone; Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people have vowed to never surrender to Russia. Thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest the occupation; there are pockets of resistance who are taking measures to impede the advancement of Russian troops by destroying bridges along the supply line and sabotaging troop movements. The Russian army has not taken control of any of the encroached territory; the Ukrainians are showing much more resistance than Putin anticipated. Any Ukrainian adult has been provided with a gun to help protect their country. In an interview, one 80-year old man, who had never fired a weapon before, said he would google to find out how to do it. This has become a David and Goliath conflict.
Although Putin controls the national media, reporters, independent news agencies, internet groups, and social media broadcast the 'real' story of this war. Even in Russia, thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest the war. Thousands of brave people have been arrested and detained in 54 Russian cities. But others will continue to make news available in Russia and the outside world and protest the atrocity. Since the assault has not turned out as Putin has expected, he has shut off all state media.
In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus reminds us:
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man . . ."
"The one who had mercy on him." . . .
"Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:36-37)
We are not helpless in this struggle, although we mourn the effects on the innocent people of the area. We can support the resettlement of those refugees fleeing through organizations like the International Rescue Committee and the UN Refugee Agency. There are other agencies providing support for those still residing in Ukraine. Please be careful whom you may donate to, though. Many use most of the money for their own advancement, with little going to humanitarian care.
We can also not purchase any materials/services from Russia. The State of Ohio and many independent grocers and liquor stores are dumping all Russian vodka and not buying any Russian spirits. Delta Airlines had severed its association with the airline, Russian Aeroflot. Investors might look at what Russian holdings are in their portfolios. These actions may seem insignificant, but each little effort will further enforce the sanctions imposed by countries and governments. We can each do our part. Remember what happens with one little pebble dropped in the water.
As Christians or people of faith, we are directed by Jesus:
"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. (Luke 6:35)
That means we need to pray not only for those suffering but also for those who perpetrate these atrocities. That should be our mission.
Not only should we pray for those people in the path of the war, but those who are brave enough to risk their lives to get the news out and resist the encroaching army. And as much as it may stick in our craw, we must pray for the Russian military and the leaders of the assault.
A friend of mine, Right Reverend Bonnie Perry of the Diocese of Michigan, made this plea to Episcopalians and all Christians around the world:
"Pray my friends. Pray in a way you never have before. Pray with the passion and responsibility of the people who are being called to heal. Read the news, do not look away. Talk about the suffering we are seeing. Talk about it endlessly, bear witness to it. Name the pain. Name the suffering caused by unbridled aggression and unfettered greed for control. Name the evil that is taking place. Talk about the people whose homes and lives are crumbling around them. Imagine it is you, your life, your children. Embrace the sanctions and the ramifications those sanctions will have for us. Embrace them proudly and boldly." [3]
Let us do the one thing that we can to end this violence.
We can pray
For those fleeing: we pray for sanctuary
For those who are staying: safety
For those who are fighting: peace
For those whose hearts are breaking: comfort
For those who see no future: hope.
PRAY!
Heavenly Father, Today we want to pray for the people living in fear. Those who want to be free from the distress caused by the world's turmoil we are in today. Even though we may not know them, Lord, You see the fear and anxiety. They may be fearful, tired, discouraged, and frustrated, but don't let them give up. For we know that you are a faithful God who will give them the peace they seek today and bless them in many ways. Help all of us to stay strong in faith throughout these challenging days we live in, as the Holy Spirit continues to lead our way. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
[1] Archbishop Justin Welby, Archbishop Stephen Cottrell
[2] Tarunjit Singh Butalia, Religions for Peace USA
[3] The Right Rev Bonnie Perry, Diocese of Michigan, “The Pain of Ukraine”,
Delivered at Saint John's Episcopal Church, Columbus, OH; 27 February 2022
