The hand of a little girl clutching a cross at the siege of the School in Beslan, Russia in September 2004. She was rescued and was a survivor. This photo taken by a journalist at the scene went viral and spoke of the horror and also the hope which often emerges in the most evil of situations. In our current world of darkness and on a day of Remembrance we too must hold on to hope and strive for peace and and work for love to prevail. (Remembrance Sunday 2024)
and weep
Photographers and film-makers take their images of devastation, and weep.
Reporters, clad in flak jackets, tell their story of human failure to live in peace, and weep.
Old people, once more sift through the rubble of their homes, heavy with despair. and weep.
Medicine men and women try to bind up wounds, and weep.
Parents watch children play among diseased and crumbled streets of a lost childhood, and weep.
Mothers, fathers, grandparents hold bundles of the dead, hearts bursting with grief, and weep
We, who cannot bear their pain, switch our televisions to football matches and bake-offs and try not to weep.
And God … seeing once again what his children are doing to one another, climbs upon a cross and weeps.
Autumn brambles photographed by my friend, Gill Henwood
In the clouds atop Grizedale Forest ridge, among the russet chestnut bracken and old gold grasses, a bright scarlet bramble runner. Startling in the soft misty mizzle.
Sometimes murky weather shows up astonishing beauty. Sometimes, in sad times, in times of uncertainty, the power of beauty in God’s creation calls out:
Yesterday, at church in Fakenham, we sang the hymn, For the healing of the Nations, by Fred Kaan. The second line begins, ‘Lord we pray’, a reminder that hymns are musical prayers which begin life as prayer/poems. As such they are an important part of our devotional resource, whether they be as hymns, psalms, anthems of chants. This prayer by Fred Kaan speaks deeply to our human condition which cries out for healing of our brokenness in so many ways.
For the healing of the nations, Lord, we pray with one accord, for a just and equal sharing of the things that earth affords. To a life of love in action help us rise and pledge our word.
Lead us forward into freedom, from despair your world release, that, redeemed from war and hatred, all may come and go in peace. Show us how through care and goodness fear will die and hope increase.
All that kills abundant living, let it from the earth be banned: pride of status, race or schooling, dogmas that obscure your plan. In our common quest for justice may we hallow brief life’s span.
You, Creator God, have written your great name on humankind; for our growing in your likeness bring the life of Christ to mind; that by our response and service earth its destiny may find.
Fred Kaan
Fred Kaan was uniquely placed to offer this poetic insight of a world in need of healing. As a child of the occupation of the Netherlands, he experienced first-hand the horrors of Nazism, His parents were part of the Resistance in Holland and they also sheltered a young Jewish woman who was kept safe for over two years. Fred was doubtless shaped by a global conflict which was also experienced personally. He was filled with a passion for social justice, global peace and a reconciliation between people. When he discovered Christ, this strong desire met the explosive love of the Gospel. His faith was expressed in Christian ministry and a spirituality that found expression in prayer/poems which could be sung powerfully as hymns or quietly as Gospel -based prayers as part of personal devotion. It is offered here as a pinprick of soul-light for our praying. After all, for many, the best action for human justice, freedom and the outpouring of love, is through prayer. Action flows from prayer because it changes us.
To a life of love in action help us rise and pledge our word.
[Mr G]
***for more on Fred Kaan see my blog entry June 29th 2023
View from the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. Photo by Gill Henwood
“Much to ponder”
Light on sea, sparkling Dancing in the sun floodlight. Light starburst through Ancient windows Blazing on the warm weathered stones. People walking, all ages Carrying infants, or usually sticks Pilgrims to our past, wondering Who was here, in savage beauty Raging storms with Threatening invaders.
Now all is peaceful, open, safe Every age comes to ponder In awe. One day, Peace will come again to Ukraine, To Gaza, to lands of conflict Violence and hatred.
One day. Much to ponder.
[Gill Henwood] inspired by a visit to Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumbria.
Dunstanburgh from the shoreline (Photo. Gill Henwood)
Mr G's Ponderings 