Saturday, November 12, 2022  

Today’s Scripture Reading
Luke 21:5–19

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them. “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls. (NRSV)

Reflection

New York Times reporters Marc Santora and Anna Lukinova wrote that “when they pulled Serhiy Sova’s body from a grave in Izium, his wrist bore a bracelet in Ukraine’s colors, given to him by his children. The image has transfixed the nation.” Serhiy Sova, just thirty-six years old, was killed by the Russians and was one tragic victim among 338 bodies recovered from a mass grave. He was exhumed to give evidence of Russian war crimes, but what stood out most was the unfaded colors of his bracelet, the bright blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag. The reporters wrote, “The bracelet conveyed something different: the fortitude and individuality amid a grim tableau of mass death. And it seemed to send an almost defiant message: Ukraine lives on, even if its people do not.” Pictures of the man with his bracelet quickly circulated throughout Ukraine, giving hope and determination to the nation. The picture seemed to say that they may kill some, even many, but the spirit and will of the people will never die.

Luke writes, “Nation will rise up against nation and kingdom against kingdom. But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you. You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain souls.”

Daily life has changed very quickly for people in both Ukraine and Russia. People that lived with many individual privileges and relative freedoms have been thrust into a conflict that most did not choose. Hopefully none of us will ever face such challenges as these, but we will all face challenges of one kind or another, many life threatening. When we face those moments, we can trust that God is with us, even if we don’t know or want God. Our breath can make us one with God. We breathe in the love of God; we trust in that love, live in that love. And we breathe out the peace of God; the peace that passes all understanding. Breathe in love, breathe out peace. Love. Peace. Love. Peace.

Let that love and peace be your imaginary bracelet of bright colors that never fade, even in the midst of death. God’s love never fades and never ceases.

Prayer

Eternal and loving God, thank you for your love all around me, even when I can’t know or feel it. Thank you for sending peace that transforms the world one person, one nation at a time. Help me to bring peace, to be a bearer of peace to those in need until I return to you and know only you, only your love alone. Amen.

Written by John W. W. Sherer, Organist and Director of Music

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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