Reflections and a prayer by LELBĀL Archbishop Lauma Zušēvica on the 25th anniversary of the restoration of Latvian independence
Today, on the 25th anniversary of the restoration of Latvian independence, I reflected on how greatly God had blessed with courage those who, on 4 May 1990, dared to raise their voices, knowing that they would be heard not only by the world’s press, not only by Latvians near and far, but by the Soviet forces of that time. I read that, because of that reality, the chairman of the Popular Front of Latvia had concluded: “The 4 May declaration was thus a spiritual act, a proclamation. A manifesto of the people.”
A spiritual act, a courageous proclamation, a call to restore what had long been, not to let us forget how cruelly and unjustly the first independence had been taken away. In the Word of God we read: “That which is now has already been long ago, and what is yet to be has also already been long ago, for God often restores what is long past.” (Ecclesiastes 3:15) When there is a festal day such as this, let us give thanks to God with even greater fervor for the restored independence, but let us never forget history either. Recent events truly urge us to be vigilant and, with equally great conviction of heart, to pray that God may now and tomorrow protect Latvia and secure her future.
Deeply imprinted in my memory is how, back then, news came of those who had gathered in Riga with their tractors. They were ready to risk everything, building barricades, defending what was only at its very beginning: the restoration of their country’s independence. We were told how they went into the open churches to warm up, to eat, and to renew their strength. If only it were still so, that everyone knew where the doors stand open, where a person can renew their faith and strength. In this way, too, a nation grows safer and stronger.
Twenty-five years have passed. Our church has never ceased to pray and, together with all Latvians, to sing: God, bless Latvia! Let us pray today too that God may each morning renew our faith and courage, our readiness to pray together with our sisters and brothers in Latvia and beyond, that we may feel secure in Him, who has blessed us and, we pray, will bless us in His mercy and righteousness.
May the words of Imants Ziedonis’s 1996 prayer accompany us today:
“God, gather my kin – if only in thought – here before the altar: let their thoughts come together from our homes at this moment beneath Your roof! I pray…. Our Father in Heaven, the thoughts of my father and grandfather are in You, and they are here present in our family – beneath Your roof! Let our children come to us, God, give them a place here! Let them have all that we bring together here; let them not have to share, let them have everything! It is not much. God, help our family grow in ever greater light, and to walk toward the light, and to keep ourselves pure! No matter where my children are at this moment, and my brothers, sisters – I call them here, we grow up great in Your name – at this moment we cast off the darkness!”
I want to add something – and we came to safety.
I wish you a 25th anniversary of the restoration of Latvian independence full of gratitude, hope, and faith!”
Lauma Zušēvica – LELBĀL Archbishop
Reprinted from the LELBĀL website http://www.lelba.org/lv/?timeZone=Europe/Berlin
Photo: www.olain.lv