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| Judith beheading Holofernes by Caravaggio, Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica at Palazzo Barberini, Roma. |
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.
Isaiah 9:2
I chose Caravaggio's picture because it makes my stomach churn.
Terrible things are happening. (But they always have been.) 21 hours drive from London people are dying in Ukraine. (But dark things happen about us also.) We read in Genesis that at the beginning of time 'darkness covered the earth'. Our world in punctuated with the rhythm of light and darkness. The evil stench of war appears to be a human constant. Few countries have not been involved in war for more than one hundred years. (Switzerland's last official war was a civil war in 1847.) With war comes a plethora of unspeakable evil.
Think of the young Russian soldiers finding themselves killing people they consider ethnic 'family'. Think of the Ukraines killing young men who did not choose to fight. Think of the 'men' separated from families at International borders, sent back to 'defend' their homeland.
I know that in the greatest darkness there is always light. The presence of God is there in the worst of places.
Would I be able to kill?
At first I think not. I would volunteer to join the medical Corp. But what if I saw a snipper killing people at random? What if the snipper was killing children, and I had the means to stop this? I think I would kill, but I would also prepare for death.
PRAYER: As I wrestle with darkness, stay close to me.
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