Today is the 70th anniversary of the atomic bomb dropping on Hiroshima, and three days later over Nagasaki. At a ceremony to mark the anniversary, which included Caroline Kennedy, U.S. Ambassador, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, said “Seventy years on I want to re-emphasize the necessity of world peace.” The Church of England published this prayer.
Today, as the United States congress debates a nuclear deal with Iran we remember how many times the world has been embroiled in a “war to end all wars” and we recognize that negotiation and diplomacy might end war in our time but undoubtedly not forever.
Today we hear that up to 200 migrants, crossing the Mediterranean Sea in an overloaded fishing boat, drowned when it overturned. Fleeing murder, violence, war, and trying to find a better life, this sea is rapidly becoming a mass graveyard not a route to mass peace and contentment.
Today, it is highly likely that wreckage now washing up on Reunion Island is from missing Flight MH370. What must be in the minds of the grieving relatives, especially those who think they are, once again, being misled? Are they expecting only news of violence, terror, and the backlash of war.
Today we hear a fence is being erected around Hungary. As if the Berlin Wall had not fallen; as if the Israeli wall of separation hasn’t taught us enough.
Today there are terror attacks in Gaza, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia; the world is obsessed with violence. Today, whatever the day, the good news never makes the headlines, only the evil that is done.
Today we hear that a deep el nino event might be building – but does this make headlines? Something of the glory and might of a powerful earth event returning to the Pacific.
Today we hear that, possibly, the “world’s biggest coal mine” in Queensland is put on hold following a court case. So that of the glory of the Australian barrier reef is retained.
Today and in the week ahead the Perseid meteor shower displays something of the glory of the heavens.
Today a little more of the interaction between the San Andreas and San Jacinto earthquake causing faults have been understood, displaying a little more of the glory of the interconnectedness of our world.
Today – the world is full of glory; full of violence; ever-changing and forever our world.
Ever-changing God, you have seen our constant obsessions – the reveling in violence and the demand for a war to end all wars – bringing peace in our time. You have seen how we yet seek to understand more of the environment of our planet beneath our feet and above our heads. All the wonder and the glory we see revealed are only reflections of your glory; all the violence we see is but a shadow of what your might would do if you unleashed it on earth. May we tremble at your glory and fall before your might so that our world and all that is in it will know peace in our time – even if just for today.
Amen.
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