Today, like all September 21sts, is the International Day of Peace. Does this mean a lot, as far as actual warfare? No. But for those of us at home, it is a day of reminder that there are others in the world who are committed to peacekeeping. I found this morning's Verse and Voice particularly lovely:
Peace is the beauty of life. It is sunshine. It is the smile of a child, the love of a mother, the joy of a father, the togetherness of a family. It is the advancement of humans, the victory of a just cause, the triumph of truth. Peace is all of these and more and more.
- Menachem Begin
In a place like Berkeley, at a school like PLTS, it is easy to become overconfident in the rest of the world. We know that, here, there is commitment to peace and justice and equality for all. We know that there are others who believe in the same overflowing love of Christ that we believe in, and not in the condemning, divisive Christ that others are wont to cite. But, here is also where we are paying attention to all the things in the world that would say otherwise. We are calling to the forefront atrocities that can never be undone. People who will never find peace. Short of barging in and taking guns out of the hands of oppressors, there is little more we can do than pray for their peace of mind.
So, as I have been known to say, "may you be on your way to peace."
- Menachem Begin
In a place like Berkeley, at a school like PLTS, it is easy to become overconfident in the rest of the world. We know that, here, there is commitment to peace and justice and equality for all. We know that there are others who believe in the same overflowing love of Christ that we believe in, and not in the condemning, divisive Christ that others are wont to cite. But, here is also where we are paying attention to all the things in the world that would say otherwise. We are calling to the forefront atrocities that can never be undone. People who will never find peace. Short of barging in and taking guns out of the hands of oppressors, there is little more we can do than pray for their peace of mind.
So, as I have been known to say, "may you be on your way to peace."