To You, Lord, my eyes look!
The horrifying images of the war in Ukraine are a daily reminder of the great suffering of the people who are losing their homes and hundreds of thousands of whom are on the run.Hundreds of thousands. Many young soldiers on both sides have already lost their lives in these battles,and there is still no end in sight to this war. A heavy burden lies on our hearts, and weknow that we are united with many prayers for God's mercy.
The willingness of help with which the refugees are being received is great, but how can this sufferingbe coped with inwardly? The Bible shows us the right direction to look:
But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute. Ps. 141:8
In all threat and distress we can know: God knows the suffering of each individual -His Father's heart beats for all who are in fear. When we call on Him for help, He masters our fear - even if the external circumstances have not yet changed.
Mother Basilea put it to our hearts years ago:
We want to take Jesus' invitation seriously: "But when these things begin to take place, then look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:28) - that is, clearyour eyes and your thoughts away from the horror and the great heartache you see here on earth.
Lift up your heart's gaze to Jesus Christ. His face is shining above us. A sun that does not set, no matter how dark and hellish it becomes on earth. He lets His rays fall into our hearts and makes us confident. In this way we will also help others, to be acomfort to others in distress and despair.
In such times of suffering, the Lord calls out to each of us. To each of us: Turn away from everything that otherwise takes you captive! I am waiting for you!
The enemy wants to paralyze us -paralyze us through fear, but when we "look up to Jesus" we experience liberation.
He makes us pray who humbly bow under their own and others' guilt and trust in His mercy.
Knowing that the future is in God's hands,
we greet you with all our hearts
Your Sisters of Mary at Kanaan, Darmstadt
Writings by Mother Basilea Schlink on the subject of "Trust" are available in ouronline store:
We place ourselves in your hand
Booklet of trust
Suffering has been my gain
Hope in a hopeless world- A handbook for prayers
Patmos - when the sky was open
