Brother against Brother

The past few days have seen a new war erupt in the world. The eyes of the world are fixed on Russia and Ukraine, as pictures and videos of people fleeing and bombs exploding are broadcast live throughout the world. Letters from political and religious leaders urging peace and an immediate end to the conflict seem to be falling on deaf ears. What could I possibly add the conversation?

War is always tragic and painful. We know this to be true, and yet the world continues to engage in violence over borders and natural resources. Make no mistake about it, however, because all wars are about power and control. One side has it and the other side wants it, and ultimately, unless we can change our hearts, brother will continue to war against brother.

I know that is not what you were hoping to read today, in the midst of all the other war chatter, but it is useless to discuss the political or socio-economic reasons for war. There are no winners, and when there are no winners, that means everyone loses. Ukraine and Russia might be two separate nations in the eyes of the world, but the Ukrainian and Russian people are brothers and sisters which is much greater than any national border. They are members of the same Church, the Body of Christ, the Orthodox Church.

As I have said before, when we are baptized, we are united to Christ AND TO EACH OTHER, so this war isn’t nation against nation. This war is self against self, brother against brother. Every death in this war is the death of oneself. I wonder if the political leaders understood this better, it the war might stop. I doubt it, because the truth of the Church is often not enough to defeat sin in those who are consumed with power.

So, we watch with terror and sadness as violence claims its victims. I urge you, as loving Christians, pray for everyone caught up in the crossfire of war. Soldiers on both sides are following orders. Politicians on both sides are claiming righteousness. It ultimately doesn’t matter which side is right if they are killing themselves but killing each other.

Yesterday I was asked if the Church would be including prayers for Ukraine in the daily vespers. I reminded the person that every Church service includes prayers for “Peace the in the world” and the “Unity of the Church.” I encourage you to pray for an immediate end to the war, and for peace in the world as we do in each service of the Church.