The Lord said:
“Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets
whom your fathers killed.
Consequently, you bear witness and give consent
to the deeds of your ancestors,
for they killed them and you do the building.”
~ Luke 11:47-48
Man’s history has been written in blood. Anger and hatred drive men to so much violence, they are all too soon off to war or out to persecute or kill the weak and the innocent. Even now, war drums are rolling in many places with China and Russia on war footing and the US and her allies rolling out their latest war machines, like the F35 and their latest aircraft carriers. It may seem to be in pursuit of some economic or political ends but is actually a war, a battle for possession of the earth’s resources and subjugating other people.
And the sad thing is this violence has often been done in the name of religion. The violence in the Middle East is about religion. And so is it in South Asia. And so it is in Africa and the Americas. One religion persecuting another – all in the name of God. And the irony of it all is when brothers takes arms against a brother: Sunni versus Shiite, Christians versus fellow Christians. It is a vicious battle, war for the souls and spirits of people.
It is all against the teachings and the law of God. Christ preached and taught love, compassion, kindness, forgiveness and service. He often greeted his followers with, “Peace!” What is so perverse in man’s nature that would seek to destroy itself? The answer my friend is blowing in the wind.
Lord, remove the scales from our eyes and the rock from our hearts that we may live according to the love you have shown us.