As I continue to reflect on the impact of the ongoing full-scale war on me, my family, my ministry, calling, I remember more and more often this verse from the narrative about the Good News: "As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the countryside, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus" (Luke 23:26). A few lessons I have learned and keep learning from this verse and our ongoing war experience...
1. Willingness to help: Simon was unwillingly pulled out of the crowd by the soldiers at random and forced to carry the cross of Jesus even though he was on his way in from the countryside... by the soldiers... Simon likely did not anticipate being pulled out of the crowd and forced to carry the cross... In wartime, theological educators in Ukraine also have been called upon to serve in unexpected ways and take on tasks that are not our choice. We are compelled to assist in the Mission of God against our will, in many ways, not by "peaceful prayers and Christian forces." How do you turn unwillingness into willingness and accept this with faith and trust in God when you are forced into difficult circumstances like a full-scale war, not of your choosing? How do you recognize the difference that you ultimately do not comply with the soldier's orders but serve and follow Jesus, even if it is not the way you would have preferred?
2. Willingness to accept help: Jesus was unwillingly forced by the soldiers to accept help from unexpected sources, from a random man returning home from his fieldwork... by the soldiers... How do you learn and become willing to accept help from unexpected sources during war, even if you don't know those who are forced to help, or when they are from a different faith or culture? Carry your own cross, even in or through theological education, even during the wartime. It is what Jesus instructed his followers to take up their own cross, and follow Him (Luke 9:23). How do you recognize the difference that you ultimately do not comply with the soldier's orders to put your cross aside, but that someone has become willing to help you, even if it is not the way they would have preferred?
3. Willingness to notice a human being with tears: on His way to the Hill of Death, Jesus still took the time to speak to the weeping women of Jerusalem along the way. His suffering did not close His eyes to the suffering and grief of people who surrounded Him... How do you learn to show compassion towards those who also suffer, although may be less than you on the Road to the Hill of Death? Where do you find the source to offer words of encouragement and support to those around you, even if they do not share the same beliefs with you, or do not understand what is going in with you? Simon of Cyrene was a stranger to Jesus, yet he showed compassion by helping Him carry the cross. We during the war also learn to show compassion to those who are suffering, even if they are strangers to us... Simon of Cyrene had to sacrifice his own plans and desires in order to help Jesus. I also see this example in our partners, who made sacrifices for the greater good, whether it is giving up their time, resources, or even their safety when they traveled in Ukraine during the war, air raid alerts, etc.
4. Willingness to be a Community of the Hope: Carrying the cross was a heavy burden, both for Jesus and Simon, both physically and emotionally. Christians in wartime also face heavy burdens, whether it be the burden of fear, grief, or loss. Simon's example reminds us that we can bear these burdens with the help of others and with the strength that comes from God (whatever you may interpret it), even when it is not our choice, but we are forced to do so... How we can come together as a Community of Hope, as the People of the Bridge to support one another during times of war? How do you learn to work together towards a common goal and help each other through difficult times during the war? This unexpected turn of events ultimately allowed Simon to be a part of Jesus' story and serve Him in a unique way. We, theological educators in wartime, face many unexpected challenges and situations, which brought us together as the Community of Hope, as the network of our seminary-based refugee hubs... but although we were forced to take a cross (we stayed, we did not leave, and we do not condemn those who left Ukraine), we have learned to recognize the opportunities to show what the Community of Hope is, what the People of the Bridge means, and serve others and each other in new ways.
Memory is the gift of God. I ask Him that I shall not forget that.... every pound of the heavy cross brings us closer to Jesus... every pound of the cross leads us to resurrection... every pound of the cross brings us to an empty tomb... and every pound of our cross leads us to glory and eternal life with the two Communities of Hope as the Unity: the Trinity and the Humanity ultimately united by what the God-man accomplished... God became a human to restore our true humanity, Imago Dei in us... Peace be with you and I wish you Silent Night, Taras Dyatlik (20 April 2023, the 421th day of the ongoing full-scale russian war against Ukraine...)
--
Taras N. Dyatlik, UKRAINE
20 April 2023
No comments:
Post a Comment