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Ekecheiria


I literally woke up this morning with an upset stomach in the wake of news stories of the knife attack in Southport, followed by shameful rioting, the consistently escalating conflict between Israel and its neighbours, with attacks that in recent days have resulted in the deaths of young people at school and play, sniping in social media over the national identity of 2 gold medal winners in a single day from Northern Ireland, and the continuing controversy and over-reaction to an ill-judged small segment of an over-long Olympic opening pageant. 
But at least I'm not a triathlete who may end up with a more significantly upset stomach from swimming in the Seine today, for reasons similar to those that affected the Boat Race in London recently.
There are times that I despair of humanity and our willingness to work together to address not only our differences but also the existential threats that we all face...

The title is drawn from the ancient Greek tradition of a truce or "laying down of arms" for the duration of the games... whilst the attached photo is the upside down Olympic flag hoisted at the opening ceremony, with the tradition being that an upside down flag indicates "distress" - perhaps this was somewhat prophetic.

The water is tested 
before competition begins.
After delay it is declared 
“Safe” - if only just.

But the very air we breathe
Seems toxic, filled
With intolerance, disrespect
And outright hate.

We mock the other and 
shocked when mocked in turn,
No love lost between enemies -
Christ’s command forgotten.

Words and pictures become
Weapons and battlegrounds...
No truce declared for the duration,
In this apocalyptic culture war.

Victory implies defeat,
We cannot celebrate 
Triumphs under other flags.
We must pick a side.

Meanwhile, the response
To the death of children 
Is riot and rocket attack 
Feeding the fires of hate.

Whether believers or disbelievers,
We seem to serve bloodthirsty gods
Deities that thrive on destruction,
Division and despair.

Pollution seems endemic 
To our cities and civilisation;
Not only our rivers run with poison
But our very veins.

Selah



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