No More of This!

On Saturday we watched Little Shop of Horrors. Seymour, a flower shop assistant who’s down on his luck, discovers a mysterious new plant. As the plant grows, he gains fame and fortune. He falls in love with Audrey. His luck seems to be changing.

As the plant grows its appetite for blood grows, demanding ‘Feed me!’ Seymour feeds it the evil dentist Orin. The insatiable appetite of the carnivorous plant gets out of control, finally eating Audrey and Seymour.

It’s bonkers, entertaining science fiction.

This morning’s BBC news:‘Fighting is continuing in the Gaza Strip despite the first UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire passing on Monday…

…In Gaza, witnesses say Israeli warplanes bombed the southern city of Rafah and fierce gun battles raged around hospitals in nearby Khan Younis and Gaza City. Rocket warning sirens also sounded in Israeli towns near Gaza…’

Reports of war and death continue from Ukraine and Moscow…

An out-of-control plant demanding ultimate power and feeding on people seems less like science fiction.

The account of Jesus’ arrest was in my Holy Week readings this morning. Coming with a crowd of soldiers and priests Judas kisses Jesus:

 ‘When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, ‘Lord, should we strike with our swords?’ And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

But Jesus answered, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.’

Brother Ramon SSF says that down through the ages we’ve asked ‘Should we strike with our swords?’ Instead of listening to Jesus’ answer, ‘No more of this’ we continue with swords of violence:

‘The three great faiths of Judaism, Islam and Christianity have produced their holy wars, jihads and crusades, together with a theological and logical justification for them.’

He concludes with the prayer: ‘Let there be enough of physical violence, mental superiority, pride and conceit. Teach me humility, Lord, at all levels of my life.’

That’s my prayer too.