We are shattered, numb with shock. The spectre of hate and war has raised its head again in my land and on this holy of holy days. Easter Sunday, when thousands were gathered in churches to worship the Risen Lord, bombs exploded in three of the most visited Shrines – and in three hotels celebrating Easter brunch.
The death toll in the first 3 hours has risen to 180 and hundreds more injured.
The day started off as a day of peace and promise as we had a simple traditional meal around the breakfast table. We had participated in a beautiful vigil service last night. Since we do all seven readings in our church, it was a long service but we did not even feel the passing of time so absorbed and elevated were we in the history and wondrous mystery of our salvation.
We had fellowship after service and then quite spontaneously, invited Clifford and Anne who were celebrating their wedding anniversary for Pizza. Cliffy’s brother had just retired from the Sri Lankan army. As a General in the front line, he had been the target of many attacks and was seriously wounded by shrapnel and mortar on four occasions. And so very very uncannily- after ten years of peace – we found ourselves discussing the repercussions of the war and our deliverance from the 30 year ethnic conflict that had ravaged our land and our people.
We also heard how Cliff’s family had found the 91st Psalm inside his mother’s pillow when clearing up her belongings on her demise. She had unfailingly and unwavering prayed Psalm 91 for close on 26 years on behalf of her son, inscribing his name on all the prayers. We were reminded of the Psalmists words .. “though many fall all around me no evil shall touch me” … a mother’s plea that had saved her son. And we thanked God that the horrible war that claimed so many sons and daughters of our soil was behind us.
And then today the shattering news.
And the questions. Is it the LTTE again? We thought they had been defeated ??
More questions. This does not tie in with an ethnic hate attack. Easter Sunday ??? It seems from all indications at present to be targeted towards Catholics and Christians?
I surprised myself by being relieved when I heard that. Yes … relief !! for we Catholics and Christians are in the minority. It cannot – and with the Christian spirit of forbearance – will not, be a massive blood shed. We won’t retaliate or be drawn in like the general population was in the ethnic conflict. Even if all Christians in our land have to die … the general populace of around 20 m will be spared.
Am I a masochist seeking persecution? Of course not. But you cannot help breathing a sigh of relief that the ugly spectre of LTTE terrorism may not be behind this. Our earnest prayer for our country is that God will not take us down that road again 🙏.
It is also timely that this happened on Easter Sunday when we are filled with the Resurrection hope and can hang onto the words of our Lord :
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. …
If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also…”
John 15.20
God give us the strength, the wisdom and the discernment to act as you did and to follow your lead and the example of love you set in your life and in your death. Amen.
Ramblin' Rose 
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As the horrible news continues to unfold, I can’t stop thinking about the wonderful travel experience my husband and I recently had in your country, and all the kind and gentle people we met. We are so saddened for the victims and all Sri Lankans who now must suffer the aftermath of this senseless act. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
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Thank you for reaching out with your thoughts and prayers. The full toll and identification of dead is leaving us in utter shock as whole families have been decimated. This senseless, insane, evil violence has to stop. The forces are now making headway with arrests but the tentacles are spread beyond our isle and needs concerted international action.
…..I hope and pray we can overcome this evil.
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I come to your blog by way of Caroline’s blog… Sad to be introduced to your blog at this difficult and challenging time….
Sri Lanka is our adopted home country for the past two and a half years and this recent tragic and senseless loss of lives is just devastating especially given the history of violence. We are but newcomers to Sri Lanka and yet, our hearts are shattered by this sad, sad devastation and awful loss. We too pray that there will not be retaliation against other communities in Sri Lanka and that peace can be restored without more violence and loss.
It seems that the world is no longer a safe place and our only hope is that countries can unite to end this maddness.
My deepest condolences and much love your way…
Peta
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Thank you sincerely for reaching out.
I’ve visited your blog and see you have written on this crisis with a true understanding and empathy for our land. Your piece on ‘Anger in Paradise’ is truly a masterpiece capturing everything that we are all feeling right now which I will be sharing around soon as social media opens up. .
As an aside – I think you should add ‘writer’ to your about page. I don’t recollect seeing that but you excel in this.
I wanted to also check out any work you are doing with the environment in SL as that is my passion too but could not spend time – having spent last few days glued to the TV .. housework awaits.
Thank you again for the love and caring and stay safe.
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So sorry for this senseless violence in your country, especially heart-breaking on Easter Sunday! May the love of Jesus strengthen & comfort your hearts at this time. You are in our prayers! ☀️🙏☀️
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Thank you for the words of comfort. Security forces have made a few arrests and indications at present are that it is not a reversal to the civil war. Looks like ISIS has infiltrated our land .. praying that the core cell will be rooted out with these arrests.
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Oh, Rose! I am crying this morning as I write you.
Last night at our Vigil, I used some of your thoughts in my homily from your previous post. You were with me.
And then this morning…this.
I send you my love and prayers for peace. J.
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Your love and prayers help sustain Janet. We are numbed with shock and can’t even begin to digest what it means and who perpetrated it.
The death toll has risen to 270. There were two more blasts – one of which was set off when Police were investigating a suspicious location.
I pray we will not go back to a civil war. All indications are that people are determined that whoever is responsible .. ‘ never again an eye for an eye’.
Thank you for the love and the prayers
both warmly received.Easter blessings to you and family. . Awesome that you used something from one of my posts… 😍❤️
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