A reflection on the lessons for the fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
Earlier this week I was attending Morning Prayer in a side chapel of Ely Cathedral. As the lessons were being read, I looked at my surroundings and was struck by the empty spaces that were once occupied by hand carved statuary. The intricate work of devoted artisans’ hearts and hands had been destroyed by the hands of hate. The statuary carved into the walls of the cathedral had all been smashed during the English Reformation. The violence brought tears to my eyes and I must admit, I heard nothing of the lessons being read. As we began to pray, I offered God my heartache on behalf of the artisans who’s beautiful work dedicated to God and that had enhanced the worship and prayers of so many had been destroyed.
The question that stayed on my mind and in my heart through the week was why do we let disagreement and difference drive us to violence? How does any human heart grow so cold that destruction is the answer? It isn’t just about beautiful things but about destroying the beauty of human life. How does anyone come to think that because someone else is different or disagrees with them that to destroy what they hold dear or to take their life would solve what makes them angry?
On Friday, I was on a video call with Global Immersion Peace Fellows (the follow on to the Leadership Cohort I’ve participate in this year) and our speaker, John Paul Lederach asked the question, “can real change happen without violence?” He then said that violence is the option for those who cannot imagine any other alternative and that our work as peace builders is to help people see the alternatives.
How do we as Jesus’ Followers help the world, or at least our neighbours in our small corner of the world, see the alternative? How do we live into the answer to the prayer we pray today when the leadership of the US is saying they are going to destroy an entire civilisation and continuously threatens violence as the solution to problems?
Saint Paul says, “so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God …if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
To destroy our enemies, perceived or real, is anti everything that Jesus teaches us. We are to work against violence by not being violent in return. And violence isn’t just physical. It can be verbal, emotional, and mental. When we do not want for others what we want for ourselves, i.e. when we do not love our neighbour as ourselves, we are being violent against their very humanness as well as our own. The Founder and Executive Director of Global Immersion, Jer Swiggart, started our call yesterday with the statement, “peace is about helping people be more human.” When we work to build peace, we are living into who and Whose we are, God’s beloved, and we help others to see that they are Beloved, too.
As we follow Jesus, we live the alternative. We face violence with peace by refusing to dehumanise others and ourselves. Evil does not do away with evil, it only perpetuates more of it. Love overcomes evil and perpetuates more love even though it may not seem so in the moment. Peace building is the slow, continuous work of relationship building. It is our lifelong work.
Another part of the Cathedral, what is known as the Lady Chapel, dedicated to Mary the mother of Jesus, was absolutely decimated by those who lived violently and called it ‘reformation’. In the chapel now stands a statue of Mary placed in the year 2000. Mary is wearing a strikingly bold blue gown with her arms raised to heaven. The artist describes this work as the moment of conception for Mary. Mary will give birth to the Prince of Peace, the One who shows us in flesh and blood the alternative to the violence of this world. Mary stepped boldly into the life of showing the world the Alternative.
After services, the cathedral hosts coffee time in the Lady Chapel and people fellowship in the proverbial shadow of this statue of Mary in all her God given Glory, beautifully crafted by a skilled and devoted aritisan. In a place once overtaken by violence people build relationships over coffee and biscuits. What an amazing picture of God’s redeeming work!
Wherever you are spending time with others in worship today, ask God to show you how you can do the relationship building work that gives birth to peace. What is it that we need to let go of to live the life Jesus calls us to, the life that doesn’t seek to gain the world but to boldly participate with God in building a Kingdom of Peace?
Lord Jesus, show us all how to bear the fruit of your peace building work on earth as it is in heaven.
Keep lovin’ louder than the hate, Y’all!
Mother Nancy's Coffee Thoughts 