Come, behold the works of the Lord;
see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations;
I am exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge
Psalm 46: 8-11 NRSVue
Yesterday more than 60 and perhaps several hundred young men died after a rocket attack blew up a barracks which was inexplicable placed next to an ammunition storage area. These were Russian soldiers, most recruits for the unjustified war of invasion against Ukraine. It's not surprising that the Ukrainian military celebrated this strike. Every dead or seriously injured Russian combatant reduced the potential a Ukrainian soldier is killed, and strategic strikes such as these must weaken the resolve of the Russian people.
My heart sank when I heard about these deaths. It's likely that many of the soldiers were in their late teens and early twenties. We know that new recruits have been conscripted into the army against the will or have enlisted to escape poverty. While many Russian men fled the country rather than be called up to service, these are the ones who had limited options. Now they are dead, probably without ever having fired a shot in combat.
What is the sense of all this? There is none. When the new, ill-equipped, poorly trained, Russian soldiers are deployed there is fanfare with military officials extolling their courage and corrupt Russian Orthodox clergy blessing their ill-fated service. Nationalism and religion become a toxic brew. It's wicked, as war is so often wicked.
I want the Russians to withdraw from Ukraine and for the courageous and resolute Ukrainian people to have the opportunity to rebuild and celebrate their independence. Just the same, the deaths of these soldiers and all who have died leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. God, break the bow and shatter the spear.
2 comments:
Amen to that. Putin had always been very sketchy to say the least, but with this invasion he has shown that he is downright evil. The bloodshed he has caused is tragic, and with his ego it's hard to see him backing down without making ridiculous demands.
Thanks Roger. My chaplaincy internship decades ago influenced me to regard people as those who are capable of evil, rather than being evil. Yet I'm inclined to agree with you about Putin, who has gone over so totally to the dark side. I'm afraid you're correct about his intransigence and short of regime change it's hard to know where this will end up.
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