Ukraine was invaded this week and people, including civilians, are dying. We are saddened by the suffering and feeling angry. The world again seems out of control, and it is easy to feel powerless. What really can we do?
This latest tragedy that will continue to afflict millions comes on top of the heavy suffering already in our world—the pandemic, the divisions, the lies, the rise of white supremacy and racism and antisemitism, the tribalism, and the threats against good honest people (teachers, nurses, and elections officials) trying to serve others. What really can we do?
It would seem that some kind of destructive, divisive spirit, power or energy is at work in the world and given the global impact it is natural to feel overwhelmed. But we are not powerless. There are some simple responses within our capability.
Prayer is one. What? Can that really make any kind of difference against the evil we are seeing? Although we each have our own individual way of praying, some special things happen in prayer. When we take the time to stop and go inward to that place of nonviolent and loving intention that connects us with the divine, we encounter everyone else in the world who is in prayer. There is a power/energy released that emanates into the world, and each of us comes out of this time of intentional focus aligned with that Spirit of goodness, unity, care, and healing, and it informs our actions as we go through our day.
Something happens to us in prayer. We are formed, even transformed, in our focus and our awareness. We’re more attuned to others, to our core values, to goodness, to unity, and to hope. We carry this into our day and into our interactions with others. We breathe a whole different Spirit in the world much more powerful than division and hate.
This brings us to the second way we are not powerless. In our day there are multiple ways and multiple opportunities to express kindness, support, compassion, and goodness. When we act in this way, we breathe a different kind of energy and power into the world. It might not seem like a response to the divisiveness, hatred, and warfare, but it is. The Spirit with which we align ourselves becomes the Spirit of a neighborhood, a community, a nation, and a world. Have you ever noticed how goodness and caring lifts spirits and gives energy? Likewise, have noticed how lies and divisiveness and hatred drain energy and drag us down?
Erich Fromm, a Jewish social psychologist wrote about the two basic spiritualities—a spirit of life that is life-giving and a deadly spirit that deadens, defeats, and smothers us. In every moment, we have a choice which spirit we will live and breathe.
We invite you to join us on Wednesday, March 2 for a day of prayer and fasting for the people of Ukraine, the leaders in our world, and our own growth in nonviolence.
For Christians, Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, so perhaps you are already attuned to the importance of prayer and fasting on that day. We invite you to join us and millions of people around the world in the intention of Peace. As a special symbol, we invite you to join us in lighting a candle in the evening and perhaps placing it in your window.
Beyond that, we encourage you to deliberate acts of kindness and mercy. Giving blood is needed at the present time right in our own communities to say nothing of the need for blood supplies in Ukraine. What a difference we can make together!
If you are looking for a charity in Ukraine working directly with the displaced and in Slovakia with the Ukrainian refugees pouring into that country, we feel confident in sharing the following information with you. We are a Vincentian-animated organization and we would like to suggest the work being done by Depaul International. Depaul International is a London-based charity that is part of the Vincentian Family of organizations serving the poor worldwide. Depaul International is of the very highest caliber and trustworthy. Their website updates the situation daily.
Here is the latest information from Depaul International:
Depaul International, parent organisation to Depaul Ukraine, has launched an emergency appeal for Ukraine as millions flee and face shelling from Russian forces. The homelessness charity, which works in Odessa, Kharkiv and Ivano -Frankivsk territories, is remaining in place, offering emergency shelter, advice and food to homeless people across Ukraine, who are terrified as Russia launches a full-scale invasion.
Father Vitaliy Novak CM, Chair of the Trustees for Depaul Ukraine, currently in Odessa described the situation, “There are missile strikes, one after the other, the roads are dangerous. Overnight they are predicting heavier fighting. In Kharkiv we are seeing tanks on our roads and there is regular shelling. Many people are sheltering in the metro stations underground. We are shocked and desperate.
But we stand firm, keeping our homeless shelters and services going, taking it in turns to visit and staying safe so we can keep supporting people. It is more important than ever before. We will not leave until we have no other choice. Homeless people here have no information—we are a lifeline to them, providing warmth, shelter, food and protection.”
The charity is launching an emergency appeal to fund emergency heating centres, extend its information services, provide food and access to outreach workers to those living on the streets as the situation worsens.
Father Vitaliy continues, “While some are sheltering in their hometowns, thousands are fleeing and thousands will lose their homes. There are huge traffic jams from Kharkiv towards Kiev and in Odessa. It is already happening. Tomorrow we will wake up and see how many are now homeless.”
Matthew Carter, CEO of Depaul International, said, “We are shocked and horrified for the people of Ukraine. This was a worst case scenario. Our Ukrainian staff are heroic in their unflinching commitment to keep serving the most vulnerable, in the face of a volatile and escalating situation. We are ensuring our staff are safe and well, and are eager to scale up our services as the needs dramatically increase. We would be grateful for any donations to ensure we can help all those who need it. Thank you so much.”
Thank you for your prayers and your intentional care of others!
