United Nations Day

United Nations | Norman Rockwell

Today, October 24th, is United Nations Day.  On this day 75 years ago in San Francisco, representatives of 50 countries met to agree a Charter which committed those nations (and those who subsequently joined the UN) to promote peace, development and human rights; pledging enhanced action to achieve its global mission. 
At its heart, The UN strives for a reassertion of the ‘universal values of tolerance, mutual respect and human dignity.’

Protecting those caught up in armed conflict and the promotion of world peace also involves the UN in working for climate change, averting nuclear catastrophe and fighting injustice.  Promoting global peace, security and prosperity is the primary mission of the UN and allied to this is the protection of the most vulnerable members of the global community.  The UN asserts that “No one has the right to remain indifferent to abject poverty and the suffering of others.”

The UN has lofty ideals which so often fail to be translated into real action for the world’s oppressed and poor. Whilst it stands for justice, that is often diluted by political activities designed to maintain the strong against the weak, to promote self-interest over freedom and justice for all.

But without the UN and its work the world would be a poorer and more dangerous place.

The UN is marking its 75th anniversary at a time of great disruption for the world, compounded by an unprecedented global health crisis with severe economic and social impacts.  The following words are from the UN’s 75th Anniversary website:
“Will we emerge stronger and better equipped to work together? Or will distrust and isolation grow further? 2020 must be a year of dialogue, when we come together to discuss our priorities as a human family, and how we can build a better future for all.
Covid-19 is a stark reminder of the need for cooperation across borders, sectors and generations. Our response will determine how fast the world recovers, whether we achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and how well we handle pressing challenges: from the climate crisis to pandemics, inequalities, new forms of violence, and rapid changes in technology and in our population.
But just when we need collective action more than ever, support for global cooperation has been flagging. In many countries, public trust in traditional institutions is in decline and relations between countries have been under strain. Will this pandemic bring the world closer together? Or will it lead to greater mistrust? Global dialogue – and action – is now more urgent than ever.”

What sort of world do we want? and What are your hopes for the future? – are the questions the UN is seeking to get people to answer – with some success. Over a million people so far have responded in different ways, especially through art. For more information and examples of the art go to:
https://artsandculture.google.com/project/united-nations-75th-anniversary.

Aspirations and hopes, dreams and visions which fire the imaginations and encourage real action need to be fed. At its best the UN is trying to achieve what Cardinal Suenens once identified when he said:
Happy are those who dream dreams and are prepared to pay the price to make them come true.

That is what the UN at its best is trying to do. That is why we must pray.

A Prayer for the United Nations

God of compassion,
walk alongside all of your global stewards
who work to create a more just and peaceful world.

In the face of the world pandemic,
equip the United Nations community
with a sense of urgency and humility that lets Your will be done. 
May nations and peoples work together
to bring relief, compassion and care
with a determination that through  medical & scientific skills
and governments working for the common good of all,
people may feel safe again.
May healing and hope grow in our world-wide communities
alongside a new spirit of working together to defeat the virus. 

Each day you give bread enough for all,
grant us also the wisdom to ensure that everyone has enough.
Teach the world’s leaders to forgive,
to extend welcome across borders.
Show the world a new path beyond greed, oppression, and division.

We pray for a world united.
We pray for the power to save succeeding generations
from war, violence and self-interest.
We pray for a glory that reaffirms the dignity
and worth of every person.
We pray that your grace might ensure life in larger freedom forever, for all of your children.
Amen.

The Beloved Physician

St Luke, Reredos @ St John the Baptist  Parish Church, Epping
Designed by Cecil Hare, associate of George Frederick Bodley, architect of the Church
photo | GC

Today (October 18th) we keep the feast of St Luke, author of the Gospel which bears his name, and of the Acts of the Apostles which continues on from the Gospel. By tradition he is the patron saint of doctors because he was one. St Paul calls him, three times, the ‘beloved physician’. As a doctor he was filled with compassion for those whose lives had met with adversity and who came to him in their need. Not surprisingly, therefore, his Gospel account is regarded as the most compassionate of all four and his interest is in human beings who find in Jesus wholeness and healing. As the commentator of the Jerome Bible commentary says:

“In his compassionate mission to all and by his selection of the Twelve, Jesus laid the foundation for reconstituted Israel. Jesus’ mission is an inclusive one as he seeks out the lost and sinners and restores them to union with God.”

This compassion and inclusivity is something that is passionate to Luke. The human encounters he records between Jesus and the needy are shot through with a deep concern for their well-being. Not surprisingly therefore, Luke has been an inspiration for many in the caring professions and is associated with the Church’s ministry of healing. Healing is much more than helping people to get better from particular illnesses and ailments. It is about becoming ‘whole’ in body, mind and spirit. The spiritual side of healing must never be neglected because, often, it is the key to other forms of healing. I speak as someone who has had three spells in hospital this year. Spiritual well-being is a major part of my healing journey.

Part of that healing is connected with prayer which is why we set so much store by our intercessions for the sick, and why the Church is so attentive to its Healing Ministry. It is a ministry of all the Christian community but especially through hospital and hospice chaplains; spiritual directors and soul-friends who offer the ministry of laying-on-of hands and anointing to bring God’s strength and love to the sick.
Healing is concerned with the wholeness of the soul. This is the ministry of spiritual guidance, which sometimes involves dealing specifically with our sins—the things that cause guilt within us and restlessness in our hearts. The Church’s ministry of reconciliation and penance (what used to be called ‘Confession’ but which didn’t describe the half of it) is also part of healing.

One immediate area of healing is our present situation.
One of the problems arising out of Covid-19 Pandemic is that isolation can lead to mental and spiritual deprivation and anxiety. The prevalence of news being concentrated on the Virus; the world situation because of it; and the political machinations which are accompanying the responses by Governments and others; create uncertainty, fearfulness and in some, depression.
In the face of this, the healing that is expressed in the Gospel, and the healing nature of St. Luke’s version, present us with Jesus who is, ultimately, the real Healer. What better place to discover this healing than the  Gospel of St Luke, the ‘beloved physician’ of the soul.
In his version of telling the story of God’s love in Jesus, St. Luke opens to us the ‘wholesome medicine of the Gospel’.

Almighty God, who inspired Luke the physician
to proclaim the love and healing power of your Son,
give your Church, by the grace of the Spirit
and the medicine of the gospel,
the same love and power to heal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen