More than seven weeks after we joined Pope Francis in praying the Act of Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we continue to pray for peace between those two countries. The Act of Consecration is a great source of reflection as we ask our Blessed Mother, the Queen of Peace, to guide the hearts of those who wage war and to sustain the Spirit in those harmed by it.
Our Holy Father turned in sorrow and prayer to Our Lady, saying: “We have forgotten our humanity and squandered the gift of peace. We opened our hearts to violence and destructiveness. How greatly we need your maternal help!”
While his focus was specifically upon Russia and Ukraine, his words apply to what we are experiencing in our communities, nation and throughout the world. Violence, in its various forms, has seeped into many facets of our lives — to the point that what was once rare, unexpected and shocking has become commonplace and accepted as a fact of life. Indeed, such a mindset is in need of Our Lady’s maternal help.
Consider these powerful words in the pope’s prayer: “We grew sick with greed, we thought only of our own nations and their interests, we grew indifferent and caught up in our selfish needs and concerns.
“We chose to ignore God, to be satisfied with our illusions, to grow arrogant and aggressive, to suppress innocent lives and to stockpile weapons.”
In those sentences are multiple points with which we could examine our personal and collective consciences — in particular, “We chose to ignore God.” While we have faith in God and work at deepening our relationship with him, it is evident that large segments of our culture and our world do not. Researchers regularly release studies showing that fewer people believe in God. Their illusions, arrogance and aggressiveness have resulted in the moral ailments that sicken our society.
Discouraging as it is to be constantly challenged by the thoughts and actions of those who do not know God, we have no reason to throw up our hands and concede defeat. As Pope Francis prayed: “Holy Mother, amid the misery of our sinfulness, amid our struggles and weaknesses, amid the mystery of iniquity that is evil and war, you remind us that God never abandons us, but continues to look upon us with love, ever ready to forgive us and raise us up to new life.”
As believers, we know of the love and mercy of God, we know that he never abandons us! Let’s take this further. Because we have experienced that love, mercy and new life, we have an obligation — the obligation Jesus gave to us when he said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mt 28:19-20).
Our desire for and commitment to peace requires us to demonstrate that we live what Christ taught. We are part of the answer to that prayer for peace. Alone, we are not going to end aggression in Ukraine nor the violence in our communities. However, intentionally living our Catholic faith in communion, adhering to a life focused upon growing closer to Jesus and, as a result, sharing his love with others, we will make a difference.
Praying for peace cannot be something reserved only for crisis situations. It must be a prominent thread in our spiritual lives. Near the conclusion of the Act of Consecration, Pope Francis prayed words we would also do well to pray:
“Our Lady of the ‘fiat,’ on whom the Holy Spirit descended, restore among us the harmony that comes from God. May you, our ‘living fountain of hope,’ water the dryness of our hearts. In your womb Jesus took flesh; help us to foster the growth of communion.”
Peace be with you!