Prayers for our Ukrainian Family (Lisa)

Dear Lord,

If this is to be Lord, then let this be a moment, something more than what is on the surface. Let it be a springboard to something more beautiful, more deep, more profound. Let this lump in our throats, this swallowing hard, this holding back tears be because we found something more, a direction and focus that we had not known before. Help us to open up and pay attention. These are the blessed hours when, you Lord, are so present, whispering incessantly, knocking so hard, raining down Your love on us. In turn, help us find our own way to pass on this love to Your beloved children of Ukraine. Amen

In Richard Rohr’s poem, It Can’t Be Carried Alone, Richard speaks of the unfolding death and destruction in Ukraine perpetrated by evil. He speaks of the, unjust weight of crucifixion, the very thing we ponder during Lent, the unjust weight Jesus carried for us all to save us from our sins. Richard also reminds us of the Easter promise, that with Jesus’ crucifixion became Christ’s resurrection. We now live with God’s gift of mercy and the promise of everlasting Life!

I do not wish for one more Ukrainian or Russian man, woman or child to be crucified, to suffer or fear in any way so I will pray, give, do what I can and try to live in the expectant hope of God’s transformation that this evil will transform something more holy in all of us.

We are all brothers and sisters in Christ the world over! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

It Can’t Be Carried Alone

Father Richard Rohr

How can we not feel shock or rage at what is happening

to the people of Ukraine—

As we watch their suffering unfold in real time

from an unfair distance?

Who of us does not feel inept or powerless

before such manifest evil? In this, at least, we are united.

Our partisan divisions now appear small and trivial.

Remember what we teach: both evil and goodness are,

first of all, social phenomena.

The Body of Christ is crucified and resurrected

at the same time. May we stand faithfully

Inside both these mysteries (contemplation).

In loving solidarity, we each bear what is ours to carry,

the unjust weight of crucifixion,

in expectant hope for God’s transformation.

May we be led to do what we can on any level (action)

to create resurrection! The people of Ukraine

have much to teach the world.

Lord, Help us each find a way to help Ukraine. Amen