The past comes to haunt us in ever surprising ways. It’s been just almost 25 years that the Good Friday Agreement between warring parties has made, if not peace, then at least a truce between the parties enabling some semblance of end to what were called the Troubles. In addition to decommissioning weapons, it also opened the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
The Brexit vote created new fears of a “hard border” and possible violence. In response to those fears Britain created a set of Northern Ireland protocols which would enable Northern Ireland to still have a better trading relationship with the EU. The problem is, of course, that in spite of power-sharing, old fears and hatreds do not seem to die.
Protestants still rail about the Pope governing and Catholics still fear that they will end up being victims again. Children continue to be indoctrinated in fear of the Other. And as we prepare ourselves to enter the Season of Lent, we must ask ourselves how we view those we consider “the Oher,” whether the lines are religious or racial. Moving beyond past fears that create hatreds is one of the calls of Lent.
Prayer for the Day
O God, who calls us to be instruments of your peace,
We acknowledge that we remember old fears;
Open us to your spirit of reconciling love,
And wash away from us anger, envy, and jealousy.
So we are healed by your grace in our lives
And knit together in community.
In the name of the One who teaches us to live with grace,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thoughts for the Day
A question with no answer is a barrier that cannot be breached. In other words, it is questions with no answers that set the limit of human possibilities, describe the boundaries of human existence.”
- Milan Kundera, Czech writer, from The Unbearable Lightness of Being
The only true borders lie between day and night, between life and death, between hope and loss.”
- Erin Hunter, collective pseudonym for a group of writers
I will sing of loyalty and of justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing.
I will study the way that s blameless. When shall I attain it?
Psalm 101: 1-2