Síocháin

Today I visited Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin. I got there around 11am and decided to do the audio guide, which should've had me out in about half an hour. Two hours later I left with a feeling of peace that only comes from hanging out a bit in the presence of God.

I was about half-way through the audio tour when I came to a little corner with candles and an invitation to light one in prayer for peace for Ireland. As I lit one and prayed quietly under my breath I couldn't help but feel deeply how little I really understand the depths of struggle and bloodshed that has been both the ancient and modern history of the people of this little patch of green called Ireland. The strangest thing is how easy it is to associate that kind of struggle with 3rd world nations and forget that at the foundations of all these western-world shops, streets and lovely churches is the blood and tears of many.

I don't mean to be all doom and gloom. I think this city is so very lovely. I just think it's amazing what this modern, western city has seen that my comfy and rarely-touched-by-national-tragedy America never has. I take so very much for granted.

A few minutes after I lit my candle there was an announcement that there would be noon prayers of peace for Ireland. I sat down for the Anglican prayers to which I'm becoming so accustomed, and the vicar began with a blessing of peace and prayer for all of us. And then we prayed the Lord's prayer, which was really lovely for me because I have several friends (you know who you are!) who pause each day at noon to pray the Lord's prayer. It was actually quite moving praying "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven" and thinking that His kingdom coming and will being done in Ireland was peace for those in turmoil, pain, anger, strife and grief, and His love, hope and complete provision for the hopeless, downtrodden, victimized, marginalized, poor, hungry, homeless and lonely. The vicar started by reminding us that we are all called to be peacemakers and to bring peace to each other's lives. I truly want to be an instrument of His peace, love, help and blessing wherever I go and whatever I do. Today reminded me of that. As if that wasn't lovely enough, when prayers were over a large group of Germans visiting the Cathedral sang two hymns together, one in German and then in English. It was really beautiful.

There is also something I find intensely beyond human about being in a place that men have come to seek and see God for so many hundreds of years - in this case, nearly a thousand. As the German group was singing it made me mindful of how many millions of voices have been raised in song in that very place, all to God - for generations and generations. What a human way to see it, but the locked-into-time nature of my human perspective finds in that perspective a glimpse of how incredible eternity is that is only possible because I am locked into time.

Anyway, all that to say: God, bring your peace to the hearts and lives of the people of Ireland, and release the awareness of your love and goodness so that every kind of peace will continue in this beautiful land.