The war in Ukraine continues unabated. Little did anyone think a month ago that major cities in Ukraine would be destroyed by the bombings, millions of families would be separated and people from all over the world would have to take refugees into their homes. According to recent Reuters figures, thousands of lives have been lost. More than 10 million people have been displaced and billions of dollars worth of damage have been done to buildings and infrastructure in the country.
We have a lot to learn from this war. Think about issues that have never been considered before. They help us in our personal lives and are problems and lessons that we can pray and remember.
1. People Want to Help Others
The response of the world to the Ukraine conflict has been remarkable. Many donations are pouring in from all over. To help the refugees, people packed their cars and drove thousands of miles to reach evacuated Ukrainian families. Although the war is painful, it is comforting to know that compassion and generosity have not yet dried up in society.
2. The Importance of Children in Society
Some of the pictures coming out of Ukraine are horrible. Especially when families or children are trying to escape being attacked, men who go to war without even knowing if they will ever see each other again, It is painful for them to say goodbye to their children.
The incredible interactions of some children between these sad pictures are also noteworthy. For example, the girl sings beautifully, cheering thousands of people out of the bunker. It is also possible to highlight the importance of children in society amidst painful situations.
3. The Church is with those who are in Pain
The Catholic Church has continued its work for decades in conflict-torn countries, including Sudan and Afghanistan. Whenever there is a war or a natural disaster, the first thing that comes to mind is the Catholic charity. The same thing happened during this war too.
The Church is committed to bringing peace and ending the war. Hundreds of people are kneeling and praying for the end of the war. The Holy Father has repeatedly called for an end to the war. Prayer is a powerful weapon of peace that can be used by millions of people around the world.
4. Love Still Succeeds
Before going to war, there were reports of people wanting to get married. In times of fear and uncertainty, the desire to be united before God through the sacrament of marriage is very important. This love and commitment give couples the strength to face difficult times together.
5. Broad Thoughts
This war has raised many questions regarding support for countries in crisis. Many are wondering why the wars in war-torn countries such as Syria, Ethiopia, and Yemen have caused global resentment and the clear support Ukraine receives from even the world’s most powerful nations.
People pay more attention to each other when they feel threatened or in a situation where they can be contacted. This war has caused us to see everyone as brothers and sisters, to think about situations we are not familiar with, and to discuss how we can help.
6. Always Stand up for What is Right
Without going into all the history and complicated politics of Russian-Ukrainian relations, the Ukrainians showed tremendous resistance and courage. They had to pay a heavy price for it.
The valuable lesson they taught their children is that you should always fight for what is right. It happened in Ukraine and Russia. Many Russian citizens bravely took to the streets against the war. Even though they had to be imprisoned for it, they really stood up for themselves.
7. There are Always Innocents on Both Sides of the Conflict
The decision of a leader affects their entire country. It affects even ordinary Russians who have not even intervened in the war. To make matters worse, the heavy economic sanctions imposed on Russia also applied to ordinary Russian citizens. It causes trouble for people who send their loved ones to war in Ukraine or for people who are worried about friends and family living in Ukraine.
There are many people who are suffering because of this war. Let us pray for them all.