On this Christmas we remember….
Light came into the world and said,
“I will crush your darkness.â€
Justice came into the world and said,
“I will proclaim your freedom.â€
Peace came into the world and said,
“I will turn your conflict.â€
The Word came into the world and said,
“I will call your name.â€
Love came into the world and said,
“I will share your life, always.â€
Amen
(ht again to Stewart Culter for “cultivating” this great message)
Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. – Romans 12:20-21
I’ve been chewing on this idea of Obama winning the Nobel Prize for Peace since it was announced. It’s been interesting to read all the varied comments.
Especially when many conservatives were up in arms that he won it and then turned around and applauded his speech and his justification of war.
The Jesus Manifesto shares many of the thoughts that have been swirling around my head and I’ve yet to be able to put to paper – or keyboard.
So I encourage you to read his post and watch this video from Cornel West:
And consider this, did Jesus come to offer up a high-fetched dream that could never be lived up to? Or did he come as baby in a manger and the Prince of Peace to show us that living a life of love and non-violence could be achieved — and can be lived out — even in the face of the Empire?
He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
isaiah 2:4
Remembering those who have lost their lives in the name of redemptive violence — all around the world.
May we become a people who seek creative alternatives to violence — surrendering our rights to retaliate.
And may we seek the Pax Dei, rather than the Pax Romana or Pax Americana (aka peace through war).
Fire and Water
Originally uploaded by peasap.
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
Luke 12:49-53
Wait a second… what happened to the God of Peace and Love!? What’s he talking about here?
I have come to give you life
And to show you how to live it
I have come to make things right
To heal their ears and show you how to forgive them
Because I would rather die
I would rather die
I would rather die
Than to take your life
How can I kill the ones I’m supposed to love
My enemies are men like me
I will protest the sword if it’s not wielded well
My enemies are men like me
Peace by way of war is like purity by way of fornication
It’s like telling someone murder is wrong
And then showing them by way of execution
When justice is bought and sold just like weapons of war
The ones who always pay are the poorest of the poor
– derek webb
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