Ukraine; brothers and sisters to all of us

Ukraine; brothers and sisters to all of us

Watching the news regarding the potential war with Russia attacking Ukraine and seeing how the citizens are in harms way it should affect everyone who is on the side of humanitarian needs.  For those of us that feel the pain in a person to person relationship with those hiding or hovering in bomb shelters, women and children, should at least pray for an end to aggression as Russia is perpetrating  the attacks presently in force.

For us, citizens of the United States, it should never be with politics as a means of solving international problems, but a desire to control humanitarian difficulties  for our neighbors around the globe. 

The epic excursion of Russia’s attack on a neighboring and docile country goes beyond something that the attacker is a threat to peace and using desirable forces to start a war they may not win to their satisfaction.  The state of problems with too many dictatorships around the globe are preparing for a larger skirmish which could develop into a World War.  

Most wars are always started with the insatiable desire for one or more nations to take over another domain because of power or the need to exercise that power.  Throughout history, even in the Old Testament wars were fought for domination.  However, this fight is for power for the wrong reasons.  Each one exerts control over citizens and Like Assad in Syria citizens are exterminated.  That we saw from more than one dictator in the 20th century.    

Our Holy Father has set aside a day for prayer over Ukraine.  With Lent closely beginning, not only the pope’s urge for prayer and fasting, it should become an occurrence throughout Lent.  If one is looking for a reason to fast and pray this is it.  

Jesus told his listeners:  “Here are my mother and my brothers, for whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”  (Mt. 12: 49 - 50.).  

It isn’t just in spiritual issues alone in everyday life, that we are all connected, it is by spirit and flesh.

Presently in the time of early 2022 Ukraine may just be the beginning of untold and the probability of more intense skirmishes around the globe.  Remember, the last two great attacks that came to our shores and left us stunned.  December 7, 1941, and September 11, 2001.   

Ralph B. Hathaway , Let’s remember!