Tuesday, August 23, 2005

CHRISTIAN = PEACEMAKER

"Peacemaking can no longer be regarded as peripheral to being a Christian. It is not something like joining the parish choir. Nobody can be a Christian without being a peacemaker. The issue is not that we have the occasional obligation to give some of our attention to war prevention, or even that we should be willing to give some of our free time to activities in the service of peace. What we are called to is a life of peacemaking in which all that we do, say, think, or dream is part of our concern to bring peace to this world."

"Just as Jesus’ command to love one another cannot be seen as a part time obligation, but requires our total dedication, so too Jesus call to peacemaking is unconditional, unlimited, and uncompromising. None of us is excused ! It isn’t something limited to specialists who are competent in military matters, or to radicals who have dedicated themselves to passing out fliers, demonstrating and civil disobedience. No specialist or radical can diminish the undeniable vocation of each Christian to be a peacemaker. Peacemaking is a full time vocation that includes each member of God’s people."

-- Henri Nouwen, from The Road to Peace, edited by John Dear