Thought for Today
Ecclesiastes 3:8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
Jeremiah 8:11 They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, "Peace, peace," when there is no peace.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
Acts 9:31 Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
Yesterday, after I finished writing about Lent and its being a time of preparation, I saw on my web browser several articles about President Trump’s displeasure at comments made by Vladimir Putin about Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Irrespective of any opinions about politics, President Trump has certainly made the war in Ukraine a top priority during the first 100 days of his second term. That conflict is one of two major wars currently in progress. Is this now the “time for peace” of which Qoheleth wrote? Or, is this the time of which Jeremiah wrote? “carelessly, saying, "Peace, peace," when there is no peace.”
My planning calendar tells me that March 13th began the Jewish day of Purim. March 30th was the Islamic holiday Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Next Sunday will be the Fifth Sunday of Lent, followed by Palm/Passion Sunday and then Easter. This is a season of special emphasis for all 3 of the world’s monotheistic religions. All 3 religions preach and celebrate peace, “saying, "Peace, peace," when there is no peace.”
This morning, I am once again wondering whether conflict is an inevitable aspect of being human. Are the children of God fated to endlessly continue the animosity between Cain and Abel? Must we still fight the battles of Ishmael versus Isaac or Esau versus Jacob? As long as there are people, will there also be wars?
I know that all wars are not necessarily religious in nature. Although there are differences between the Russian Orthodox and Ukrainian Orthodox churches, that particular war seems much more tribal in nature. However, given that the ancestors of both Vladimir and Volodymyr migrated out of the steppes of Asia many generations ago, can that war even be considered tribal?
Is there even one, single, ultimate basic cause encompassing all wars? Territorial envy? Food security? Hopefully, somewhere, sometime social scientists, religious scholars and others will work together to attempt to understand why all of God’s children are seemingly incapable of fulfilling "Luke 10:27 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."
As Easter approaches, I am busy planning special worship services, coordinating with our Music Director for those services, and a myriad of other details for celebrating the Resurrection of God’s Son, the one we call the Prince of Peace. Are we merely “carelessly, saying, "Peace, peace," when there is no peace?”
Christians regularly pray “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Do any of us imagine that war or any conflict is God’s will? Even we Christians don’t seem to be able to agree to peacefully disagree on the least significant things. Do we truly believe that God cares which particular day we set aside for formal worship? Or, do we truly believe that God cares whether we “debt” or “trespass” when we pray? We have important theological reasons why we come forward to the chancel to receive the Eucharist or whether it is brought to us and served to us in the pews. Does God really care about our “important theological reasons” enough for it to excuse our inability to love each other?
I love the denominations I serve. I find their polities and liturgies help me grow closer to the God I love and worship. I know that my ancestors-in-the-faith warred with other Christians during the Reformation. Christians killing other Christians in the name of love?
Years ago, we had a friend who was raised Islamic and then became Christian. He maintained that we worship the same God. Does God then care about how we spell His name? Is there any legitimate excuse for God’s children killing other children of God? Can we stop the warring madness, or are we “carelessly, saying, "Peace, peace," when there is no peace?” Was the song reflecting reality? Is reality that “the beat goes on?” This year, let’s accept Christ’s gift of peace.
Stay safe, pray for peace, trust God,
Pastor Ray