The social upheaval experienced around the world over the past two years has been difficult to fathom and overwhelming to process. At times, we’ve felt numb to the sheer enormity of suffering we’ve seen and have struggled sorely to help our children make sense of the senselessness just as we, ourselves, have struggled.
COVID seems to have weakened our collective sense of agency and slowly depleted our reserves of patience and compassion, resulting in division and strife. The unprecedented and unending onslaught of bad news we have faced has left us as individuals, communities and nations around the world turning inward in acts of self-preservation as we carry out feeble but understandable acts to block out the pain and suffering we see in a world that leaves us feeling powerless and frustrated.
This past week, the invasion of Ukraine pierced the protective emotional and intellectual armour many of us in Western countries had built up. We find ourselves coming together nationally and globally in collective condemnation over this brutal attack on democracy and in support of the people of Ukraine. The resilience of democracy has never felt more palpable than it does at this moment in time, and I am left with glimmers of hope and an abundance of optimism as I see an outpouring of kindness and acts of immense bravery.
In the days and weeks ahead, we will continue to pray for peace in Ukraine and around the world. We will pray that all those seeking safety and refuge are welcomed with compassion and kindness, no matter who they are or where they come from. We will pray that the capacity of our hearts and minds to respond to the people of Ukraine continues to grow so that we may ultimately find the capacity to see beyond its borders and express our collective commitment to help all in need.
Хай буде мир на Україні.