Lent comes to an end at midnight, the top comes off the bottle of beer and the bottle of single-malt whisky, with some kiełbasa to go with. Very much Easter in a minor key this year; with a war going on across the border in Ukraine. Deaths, serious injuries, bombing and shelling of residential areas - a war driven by evil instincts that over the past several decades we hoped had been eradicated from the people of Europe.
War - the fear it generates, the anxiety and stress, the loss, the anger and the hatred it generates - distracts us from what should be our priorities; fulfilment of human potential.
Peace of mind is necessary for growth; this Lent has been spent under a cloud. Fears of a Russian nuclear strike recede as Western resolve seems to have restrained Putin somewhat, but firing a tactical nuke is still a card he might play. My sleep has returned to normal (I am no longer unable to fall asleep after waking in the night for worry about what's going on).
Easter will not arrive in Eastern Orthodox churches for another week. Because of the computational difference between the Gregorian and Julian calendars, Western Christianity celebrates Easter between one week (as this year) and five weeks (as will be the case in 2024) apart. I had been hoping that by Easter - Orthodox Easter - the war will be over, Putin will have been killed or overthrown, and the murderous invaders will have gone back to Russia.
There's a week to go, but it looks unlikely that a policeman in his early 30s, named Grytsak (Грицак) will have shot Putin with a handgun outside a white government building with classical columns set among grassy parkland (I had this dream on 25 February this year, though uncertain in which Russian city this scene was set).
Gratitude normally expressed for health and prevention of misfortune now extends to gratitude for not being bombed by Putin; for our Ukrainian neighbours and their brave army to make it through the night.
We can but pray, earnestly, with intent, that this awful, evil war will end soon with the minimum of extra bloodshed or trauma. Until it does, I cannot fully devote myself to spiritual pursuits.
I hope there will be will be another Lent. At this moment in history, I can no longer take that for granted.
This time last year:
Climate vs weather
Seven lockdown sunsets
Easter everywhere
This time 12 years ago:
Strange days indeed (though less strange than these!)
[link to video of the blog post, courtesy of Nick Morris]
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2 comments:
Putin for many weeks has not been seen outside any building. He realises many would love to liquidate him. He lives in constant fear and becomes more and more out of touch. If anybody can kill him, it has to be one if his trusted cronies.
Another interesting lent full of observation. Look forward to warmer weather when we can sit outside and chat over a beer or two. Happy Easter.
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