Question for reflection:
If Thomas Merton were alive today and scrolling through your social media feed — the content you share, the voices you amplify, the outrage you engage — would he recognize what you practice as the faith you profess?
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The verse that struck me was in the 3rd reading: Merton's life work was a sustained work about poverty of spirit, love of our neighbour, and a ruthless suspicion of our own certainty. It is so important for me to remember that if I am too focussed on something and don't listen to anybody else's point of view, I need to look again and listen more. Because the soul that is most convinced of its own righteousness is in the most danger - it is scary to think of that!
An hour ago, I was on LinkedIn. One of the posts discussed exactly that - about God of the Crusader - 'Deus Vult' - God wills it. The motto of the crusader. And the cross is an instrument to conquer, and to justify war. As a response I said, "Whatever happened to the God of the Sermon of the Mount?" The God we have now is the God of the armies, in whose name we can kill and genocide. It is not the god of the 'Blessed are the Meek'. It is everywhere, not just in the US. The beatitudes are not really being seen, they don't show much on the algorithm. In terms of immigrants, I was so shocked that in Dublin there was an anti-immigrant demonstration. Many had the picture of the Sacred Heart. I thought it was such a blasphemy to use the Sacred Heart of Christ to abuse immigrants and to refer to them as a threat to our religion! The symbols of Christianity and our flags are being used to oppress and to kill. But that is what is present on the algorithm.
Thank you for taking this theme. When I read that the cross becomes a flag, I see that in the last 2 decades, religious nationalism has become so strong. The Hindu symbol of 'Om' has become the national symbol in India. When politics and religion join hands to promote vested interest - it becomes dangerous. I see such a reflection in a different context. Merton has said the words prophetically. The present regime is using religion to promote the national flag and targeting Muslims and Christians. So it is the same thing that we see in the West and anywhere in the world where there is an unhealthy nexus of religion and politics, we see the same story over and over again. So it is so important to keep up the spirit of the gospel, inclusion, beatitudes - even though we are a minority. We become a little fire, a spark that keeps hope alive.
It must be about 10 years ago when I was on holiday in Belfast, in August. We went out, strayed into East Belfast, where flags of the Union Jack and St George was on every house and pavements painted in colours of the flag. And I never felt so intimidated while driving there in the car. We were four of us and could not believe what we were seeing, trying to drive our way out of it. It made us realise how the flag and the cross being used as Christian nationalism. In the US, I was in Minneapolis, and then went south to Mississippi and Alabama, encountering the flags outside the houses. And we were again reflecting on the symbol of it standing for Christian nationalism, which seems to me the regime's interpretation of Christianity, where Pope Leo can be criticised because he is weak on war. It is frightening to see it manifested so obviously. It reminded me again of the manifestation in East Belfast being so much in your face, and in the Southern States of US, seems to make me question my own interpretation or my own way of walking with Jesus of the Gospel. As you say, the Beatitudes should be our hallmark - the Christian's hallmark - which is an antithesis of Christian nationalism. The Cross is not about conquest, but a symbol of what happens to those who REFUSE TO CONQUER, as Jesus did.
I am in Spain at the moment. Hundreds of immigrants living here are receiving their right to work, which is positive. Of course, the right wing protests it. A member of our annual Eucharist told me about an inter-religious pilgrimage on the Way to Santiago. I have put my name down for it. It consists of a group of 70 - Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, Bahai, Jews, and Hindus who are marching for 6 days and each day is dedicated to one religion. In the evenings, we will have vegetarian suppers so as not to offend any of the religious people. It should be an interesting, positive occasion. I am not strong enough to walk the 25km, but I hope the Spirit will strengthen me.
I have a sense that at this moment, due to the fear and dark clouds, and bombing - we are living a collective trauma. A lot of people feel this. A lot of strong people have taken over and I feel a sense of grief. James Talarico is running for Senate in Texas is doing well, and is Presbyterian. Matthew 5 is his motto (the Beatitudes). He is being targeted by MAGA because he talks about real Christianity. I feel encouraged by people like him. Recently in Spain there was a summit of multilateral people, and Lula of Brazil was there with others, coming together as a force against Netanyahu and Trump. It gives me hope to see these counterforces for peace. Pope Leo is absolutely wonderful at this time using his platform giving the voice to the voiceless.
Pope Leo said: "You are called to be Channels, not Filters."
We were visited by a friend from Southern Europe and she gave me this special rosary. It is propagated by Medjugorje from Croatia. It consisted of 3 prayers for peace. And I think it is encouraging that already heaven is responding to our predicament down here. Right-wing thinking and politics is endangering peace and Mary is trying to give us a means to work against it, not only in Europe but everywhere.
It is kind that the people at the Road to Santiago are choosing to eat vegetarian meals to avoid hurting the sentiments of each others' religions that are against specific meats. But why don't we all come together and eat vegetarian because we do not want to offend the EARTH? We know that meat consumption is affecting the planet. This might sound selfish, but I am hoping that this global blockade at Hormuz will force the world to give up fossil-fuels and turn to cleaner means of energy and transport. This is a critical moment.
I was struck by the readings. I could be certain (about my own ideas), but we also need to be open to the fact that other people have other certainties. Just because it is different, it doesn't mean it is wrong. We can be true to our own beliefs, that is important, but we also need to be aware that we have differences. Even when people can't walk on the Way to Santiago, some needed to take a taxi and meet us at the end, but we are still all part of the same journey.
Hearing the Texas story, looking at the political situation around the world, I am very often remembered what is the first big sin in the Bible - it is the will to be like God. If you see the political leaders, they are trying to be Gods. They mean they can take the life, the freedom and peace of other people. It is important to look at possibilities to REFUSE to such people and situations. There is a big solidarity and I hope it grows to a major communion of people (who want peace).
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Shared Prayers and petitions:
Let's pray for human aid workers who work under dire conditions to ensure that people have basic needs met.
I pray for EU on Europe Day, that the original goal for peace may continue to guide our actions against genocide and war.
I pray for a family member with Cancer, that all treatments may go well.
Pray for scientists working under pressure, in the struggle to access helium and chemicals under war conditions, while working hard to find solutions to newer diseases like Hantavirus and protect global human health.
Pray for all the efforts that go behind making us present here today to uplift each other.