Heavenly Peace

"War No More" by the Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity

This weekend is our annual Cantata Sunday, with beautiful music and images from around the world and throughout history.

But one thing we will not be doing is reading and expounding upon the prophet's words for the weekend, which is why I want to take a moment to do so here.

The passage, if we were to read it, would be from Isaiah 2:1-5. It is a song about the future establishment of God's house and kingdom when people will come to God's mountain to receive instruction on how to follow God's ways and paths. It speaks of God judging and arbitrating between the nations and peoples. And that in those days that are coming, we shall beat our weapons into tools for farming and gardening, for no one will learn war anymore.

It is a vision of remarkable peace.

But it is biblical peace. Shalom. A word that has absolutely nothing to do with a lack of conflict.

Shalom's true meaning is wholeness and flourishing, something that cannot be found without the presence of justice and equity among God's people. It is transformation of all the world and its systems from ones that seek war, territory, and control, into an interrelated life working together for a better creation.

Make no mistake: our world will never choose this vision willingly. There is far too much wealth and power tied up in domination and destruction.

But that is why Jesus told us who God chooses to stand with: anyone and everyone the world looks down upon, casts out, and degrades. Which means it is our job to stand with them, too. To fight for them in nonviolent ways until everyone in this life finds the flourishing and wholeness God desires.

If we want to keep a holy Advent and hold up the spirit of Christmas, we should really start there - with the poor baby born in the cold to a barely-wed teenage mother who becomes a refugee within months of his birth. Seek out anyone who looks like him, and you will find Christ in our midst.

Blessings,

Rev. Janie