Collaboration: Contrast between Paralympics and War

 I have been intrigued and inspired watching the Winter Paralympics. There are the visually impaired skiing or sledding down giant slopes, with a guide leading them.  What trust, what collaboration.

I have enjoyed sled hockey, yes particularly the U.S. team. For me it's not about how many points, or about winning and losing. It's watching the collaboration among the team members. With skill and collaboration they pass the puck from person and person.  Not just "chemistry" among the men, but co-labor. Beautiful and productive. Collaboration doesn't mean one has to work less, but the incentive to work harder together.

I cannot even make a logical contrast between watching the Paralympics and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It's beyond contrast and comparison. Instead of celebrating each other, the goal is to annihilate, conquer, kill. All the more reason to co-labor with allies trying to stop Putin. We need inspiration and energy from the Paralympians.

Ashes

 Ashes. While I write, I am watching the opening ceremony of the Paralympics. (Yes, I regularly awake by 5:30 a.m.) How enjoyable from March 4 though 13. On another channel, more news about Russia's attack on Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant. The fire is now out.  Ashes. But, at this hour, there is still fear of a nuclear meltdown. Ashes.  Amidst the ironic juxtaposition, I ask myself, "Which is reality?" Lent is the time not just to realize we are all human--ashes--but also to recognize the human condition. God created us to live together, with each of our abilities and disabilities, to joyfully use our gifts and to inspire one another. Historically and globally, we try to conquer land and annihilate the one we call enemy. Does that have to be the dominant reality? Lent: a time to reflect, repent and be restored by the Creating, Redeeming and Life-Giving God.