1st Sunday of Lent
Mass for the Restoration of Peace in Ukraine
March 5, 2022
Cathedral of Mary Our Queen
Introduction
On February 24th, the world watched in horror as Russia invaded Ukraine. Even those who closely followed preparations leading to that invasion were shocked. All of us had hoped and against hope that some miracle would prevent this devastating invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Each day, we have seen this war escalate in scope and intensity, bringing in its wake the death of innocent citizens, shaking an independent nation to its foundations, and threatening the stability and peace of the whole world.
Reflecting on this massively unjust and evil invasion, one is prompted to ask: What would make a world-leader to ruthless and so foolish? What prompts a leader to take the lives of innocent civilians? Or to injure and maim? Or to destroy the heritage of another country? Or to extinguish their freedoms? Why would a leader be so reckless as to endanger the peace of the world?
While the invasion of Ukraine is a contemporary event, unfolding before our eyes, the motivation behind it is as old as original sin and as ancient as Satan himself, namely, greed, power, and godless self-adulation. These are not unlike the temptations Satan recklessly put before the Savior’s eyes, temptations which Jesus rejected on behalf of all of us. Mr. Putin and his collaborators, it seems, have succumbed to these temptations, and with devastating results – for the peoples of Ukraine; and for his own fellow countrymen; and for peace-loving people everywhere: temptations to greed, power, and godless self-idolatry.
The Temptation to Greed
The Son of God who emptied himself by becoming one of us is the antithesis of greed. With utter generosity, God sent his Son into the world to redeem us, and on the Cross, he poured out his life’s blood to accomplish that mission. In preparation for the hour when he would do so, Jesus, the Father’s beloved Son, withdrew to the barren desert where he fasted and prayed for forty days and forty nights. So long as he fasted and prayed, his beautiful soul was nourished by his communion of love with his heavenly Father. Though deprived of food, the humanity he assumed overflowed with divine love. Only when Jesus finished his fast and prayer was he aware of physical hunger. Satan thought he had his chance and so challenged him to change stones into bread. Jesus spurned the Devil’s temptation to use his miraculous powers for the immediate gratification of his desires and needs … just as we must resist the temptation to use the powers at our disposal to grasp for what we want or think we need.
Even a casual observer cannot help but notice how Putin and his coterie have enriched themselves at the expense of others. They used their power to turn the stones of a faltering economy into extravagant wealth. In turn, their accumulated wealth rendered them oblivious to the needs, rights, and dignity of others. Greed planted the seeds of the death and destruction we see today in Ukraine.
The Temptation of Power
In the desert, the “arch-tempter” again approaches Jesus: Jesus, who is “meek and humble of heart”, Jesus, who came not to destroy life, but to bestow abundant life. Recognizing in Jesus the majesty of the Word by whom the world was created, the Devil displays before his eyes all the kingdoms of the earth, the kingdoms over which he, the Devil, held sway. With arrogance beyond telling, Satan promised untrammeled power to the King of kings and the Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, the Lord. Jesus rebuked Satan, for by his Presence and Word, he ushered into this world the Kingdom of God, the kingdom of truth and love, life and grace, justice and peace.
Yes, Jesus vanquished the Devil’s temptation to earthly power and he has enabled us to do the same . . . but until he comes again in glory the temptation to power, to the domination of the weak by the strong, remains. Putin – who rules over vast territories and a vast number of people – is not satisfied. He seeks to expand his power, no matter the cost in lives and property. He has lead his militarized nation to dominate a smaller but courageous nation. Just so, Jesus recognized the extreme danger in the Devil’s temptation to power, and history, time and again, has demonstrated how dangerous it really is. Yet powerful leaders are loath to learn either from the Prince of Peace or from history. Eventually, the lust for power is self-consuming. Eventually, the meek will inherit the earth.
The Temptation to Godless Self-adulation
Satan’s final temptation was to rebellion against God. He urged God’s Son to work a miracle, a stunt really, not to address the needs of others but rather to glorify himself, in opposition to the authority of God the Father. With that, Jesus dismissed Satan and his evil designs, and he set his whole mind and heart on the mission for which his Father had sent him. For the Father and the Son are one, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Wealth and power can dull one’s sense of God while inflating one’s sense of self. Isn’t this what we see writ large in Putin’s decision to wage war on Ukraine? He sees himself as the master of Ukraine’s fate, as well as that of other nations, with powers of life and death to be wielded over innocent peoples. Positioning himself on center stage, he has embarked on a mission of destruction. The true Lord of history came in humility and love, to embark on a saving mission.
Our Own Spheres of Influence
Praying for peace means praying for the conversion of hearts, the hearts of aggressors but also the hearts of leaders who would be peacemakers. Praying for peace means humbly seeking our own conversion of mind and heart, for we all have our role to play in manifesting the Kingdom of God in today’s world. In Lent, with greater intensity than usual, we must resolve to deprive ourselves not only of food but also of comforts, so as to open our hearts to Christ, so as to open our hearts to those in need, whether near or far. In Lent, we must renounce any tendency unjustly to assert ourselves over others, any tendency to intimidate or take advantage of others, like minor potentates! In Lent, we fast, pray, and engage in works of mercy and charity, surely to help others, but also to ensure that God is center stage in our lives. This is how we participate in Jesus’ mission of mercy in our own personal spheres of influence.
Of this we can be sure: if we set ourselves firmly on the road of conversion and penance, the Devil won’t like it and he will do everything he can to stop us. Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, let us proceed with undaunted courage and joy, for in Christ the victory is won. May God bless us and keep us always in his love!