Dear Parish!
With concern, in pain, and perhaps also in fear, we continually receive news from Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and neighbouring countries.
It is a deep need of my heart to send you a sign of solidarity and sympathy. I also speak on behalf of my dear wife, our Matushka.
War is the face of the devil and his attempt to create a counter-design to God's creation. The devil is the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44), thus war is a lie and a lie is war. Therefore, this is directed against God, against our fellow human beings, and ultimately against ourselves, against our own soul.
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" — Matt. 16:26
This is why it is so important to desire and strive for inner peace, peace of the soul, and peace of heart. That is why we seek God's face in prayer.
"Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek." — Psalm 26 (27):7-8
God's face is Jesus Christ. God's peace with us and in us is Jesus Christ (John 16:33). If we seek peace, we seek Christ. If we desire peace, we must be ready to let Christ find us. This may be granted to us if we are ready to see God's image, the face of Jesus, in every human being. This can be our prayer, our prayer for peace: to see an image of our LORD in every human being. Then we can begin to grasp what Paul calls out to us:
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." — Gal. 2:20
Please write me the names of the people you know who are in distress of war and mortal danger, so that we may remember them in our personal prayers and intercede for them during the Divine Services, and please send them our heartfelt greetings.
Let us also consider where and how we might, despite our limited strength, provide concrete help or support to those in need.
"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." — Psalm 26 (27):13-14
In heartfelt solidarity, with God's blessing and in the love and peace of our LORD Jesus Christ,
Your Priest Johannes Kaßberger