Christians around the world are currently observing the period of Lent, which will close this weekend with the Holiest events on the church’s calendar, the Easter Triduum. Whether one strictly follows the Lenten abstinence or not, whether one is pious or not, I feel that there is a great need for self-reflection and prayer at this time of great uncertainties facing many societies in many aspects – economic, environmental, security, political, so the list goes on.

Living in Europe today, there is trepidation and a certain fear. It’s not one thing but I guess, it is a build up of events over the last few years. Yes, it is the random terror attacks and here in London, there have been attacks since the early 70s and 80s with indiscriminate large scale bombings, so it’s not entirely that. It is also the uncertainty of Brexit and all the growing issues that comes with it. It is also about people’s tolerance with politicians and each other. Trust, respect and truth. Virtues that have so little meaning today in a world with so much spin, sometimes it is not possible to see beyond the sound bytes. Perhaps, every generation has to face these events.

There is every possibility that my generation will see another world conflict. Never in post war history has North Korea, Russia and the United States been so filled with conflict rhetoric than now. The situation in the Middle East doesn’t seem to subside with every week that passes. In fact, Syria is getting decimated by it’s own people and there’s nothing we can do about it.

Sometimes I feel that we are in a world that seems to be heading into self-destruction.  I guess everything is relative, and whether one senses these ‘events’ or attempt to block them out, depends on how secure our imaginary protective bubble shields us. Everyone has different opinions and degrees of comfort ‘thresholds’ to exist.

I guess ultimately, that is what living and existing means. We bang on with our own individual life duties and chores. Perhaps blinkered, perhaps not, riding the wave.