Tolstoy's piece of fiction set in Russia is a good reminder for us in today's world, simply in the title, War and Peace. We strive for peace and a world torn by war due to greed, insecurity, power, etc. All of these things are elements of our own selfish being. Whilst I will not be writing as regularly on this blog for the next few months I believe that at the beginning of our Lenten journey we should reflect on our own responsibilities regarding these two aspects of God's presence and absence. Neither of these antithetical conceptions appear out of nothing but have substance in our own being declaring the absence or presence of God. There is a direct correlation with what we are seeing in the world today and the second temptation in Luke's Gospel which relates to power and authority within the earthly kingdom (Lk. 4:5-7).
At the start of our Lenten journey it is important to realise that the temptations that Christ overcomes are the same today as it was in the time of Christ. The temptation that Putin and others of his ilk have succumbed to is this second temptation; the pursuit of power in the world. Irrespective of the reasons be they religious or pure secular power that places us in the position of seemingly absolute authority is a power that corrupts our internal life. On the road to power of this sort we overlook what and who our neighbour is. We turn our backs on others only seeking to further our own needs and wants over that which is beneficial for those around us. It is a selfish thing that leads to violence and the sundering of relationship within the community to which we belong. Our desire for control leaves others in poverty and depression as their desires, their needs are overlooked and neglected in preference for our own satisfaction. We do not have to look at the world stage to see this but rather in our own backyard for those who would bully and intimidate to achieve their own wants and ambitions. We can see this occurring in all parishes and faith groups as one person or group attempt to have others accede to their demands. These tactics are a mirror of the greater world that we see in the politics of this country and the world.
In succumbing to this temptation at what ever level we allow ourselves to turn away from Christ and following his way. In entering into our Lenten journey we need to reflect on what Christ's actions in the moment of this temptation. Christ reminds the tempter that it is God who leads us and deserves our very being and no other. The self deludes us and turns our thoughts away from love in our relations. Love is purposive in building relationship as it guides us into a fulfilling relationship that cares for each other and the world around us. This is the road of peace; a harder road from war and the following of our own desires as it means that our own pleasures are put on hold for the benefit of the other. The road to peace can often be seen as a road of compromise but in reality is not just compromise but a true listening to those around us and a discernment of a way beyond selfishness that brings benefits to all rather than just a few.
For us in the secular society in which we live as a faith group this is one of the most difficult things to do as we feel ourselves being dis-abled from society rather than en-abled in society. We look to often to the past and try to retrieve the prosperity of the past through tactics of intimidation and force. God calls us into a future that is filled with love and community. However, if we constantly turn our backs on that call we embitter ourselves and seek what we had through violence and control. Putin's would be Tsarist mentality is but an extreme demonstration of this which removes from his people and the rest of the world the road towards peace. However, this mindset can only be removed from our local communities by understanding our own motivations and our own thoughts towards the structures and traditions of the past. If we yearn for something that was then we are no longer on God's path but our own route towards selfish domination of others. It is only when we open ourselves up to God's love as it changes us towards a new future that we can truly understand that we are walking in the way of Christ.
