So
often the history that we are taught in school revolves around great people and
the battles they fought. We learn of dates and places, arguments and betrayals,
pain and aguish. One could be forgiven for imaging that war was a constant and
everyone was involved. But that would be a somewhat distorted view of the truth.
Only in George Orwell’s novel, 1984, are the three kingdoms
Oceania
,
Eurasia
and Eastasia in
a state of constant conflict. We are past the fateful date and it hasn’t
happened yet.
That
epic conflicts have occurred throughout recorded history is not deniable, but in
between there have been times of peace, when compassion and civility were the
prime focus of life.
This month is the 950th anniversary
of a date and place that has somehow become integral to the English DNA, the
battle of
Hastings
and the arrival on these shores of William, Duke of
Normandy. He was the precursor to
the rise in power of this island nation in the affairs of
Europe
. It is ironic that we are now in the process of
disentanglement of our commitment to the Treaty of Rome and subsequent EU
agreements.
But
anniversaries of conflict remain central to the world view of nations,
remembering, as we should, that history is written by the victorious.
How
will our grandchildren and those who follow them view the times we are living
in? How will they perceive these early years of the Third Millennium? We are not
in a position to make any judgement for we are participants in the activity of
these years. What we can, and must, do is ask serious questions about our own
involvement in these times, where we have come from, what we are doing and which
direction our chosen path is leading us.
The
Brexit referendum is behind us, the consequences of that decision back in June
have yet to be determined. British politics is in a state of flux with
uncertainties at every turn.
But
the tempestuous climate here at home is nothing compared to the earth-moving
change that could result from the Presidential election in the
US
this November, for its effects will be global, its
consequences potentially life-changing.
Christians
have not been spared a degree of suffering in the recent outbreaks of terrorist
attacks and where they have stood on their principle of faith, they have often
paid with their lives. The outcome of this world-wide social turbulence cannot
be foreseen. The recently reported murder of three priests in
Mexico
is yet another example of the risk that so many take when
they fearlessly proclaim a Christian truth of justice and compassion. The tragic
conflict that has been the story of
Syria
these last five years highlights the evil that always seems
to exist amongst peoples. War is rooted in fear and precious little notice is
taken of the anguish of peoples for fear of personal consequences.
All
of which points to the need for a life lived in faith for that is at the core of
the Christian message. When we look for the comfort of certainties, where only
uncertainty exists, we so often forget to return to the source of faith, the
Gospel events in the life of the Jesus of Nazareth. It is there that we find a
truth to live by in the turmoil of a modern world.
The
example that Francis has offered us cannot be ignored. The
island
of
Lampadusa
was his first call after he became bishop of
Rome
, to show care for those who risked the perilous crossing of
the sea to reach safety. It is an example that he has continued to give
throughout subsequent years, his preaching of mercy is unbroken.
Merton
used the phrase “the root of all war is fear”. Our fearfulness of each other
and our hidden fear of what we know we are capable of doing lies at the heart of
conflict.
Words
spoken in haste are often misunderstood and come back to haunt the speaker. By
then it may be too late and the damage is done. We use the word ‘truth’ in a
loose and liberal way, ignoring embarrassing facts and emphasising only details
that support our personal argument.
It
is no small wonder that the phrase “What is truth?” uttered by Pilate
confronting Jesus, is remembered with such clarity and yet is so little
understood
William
came to these shores to right a broken promise. Let’s remember that the
promises we make carry with them a responsibility, for many others depend for
their lives on our word.
END
---------------
