As I come to the end of the second week of Advent, the four-week period of waiting and preparation before the season of Christmas, I have been buoyed by considering hope (week one) and challenged this week to consider peace.
I first considered my personal relationships and have reflected how I can be a peacemaker, and then how I can maintain peace within. But with news of former South African president Nelson Mandela's death, I am challenged to look at peace globally.
Jesus didn't come as the Prince of Peace just so I could have peace in my heart, but as the title implies, that political structures would be affected by love and that peace with justice would be the watchword among Jesus' followers.
The Prophet Micah calls out to me, "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (chapter 6, verse 8) Mandela endured injustice, and during his 27-year imprisonment under a racist regime, promoted forgiveness and reconciliation. How do I participate in unjust structures? How can I work for peace? In considering peace, I must also consider truth, love, forgiveness and reconciliation. And rather than grow tired and cruise Facebook, I will commit, once again and with God's help, to do the work of acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly.
No one said it would be easy.
Contact Paul Woehrle at [email protected].
