January 8, 2020
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As we hear and watch the news of the
moment, our unfortunate reality is that once again we are engaged in
armed international hostilities. While reflecting upon this situation it
is all too easy to default to the emotions of all too quickly formed
conclusions and anticipations. Often that means that we will appeal to a
combination of anger and fear. In 1861 during his inaugural address to
our nation President Abraham Lincoln, seeing that the country was as
well at the brink of hostilities, then a time of conflict which
ultimately would pit states against states and even brothers against
brothers, asked the members of our country to appeal to our "...better
angels." (1) When the dark clouds of such hostilities are on the
horizon, it is well for people of faith to be reminded that we follow a
different way; a way of faith in God that beckons us to rise above
vengefulness to way of our better angels.
While our inclinations for revenge and
retaliation are wholly natural responses, as persons whom the Apostle
Paul described as people of "...the way..." (2) of Christ Jesus, we are
called to an extraordinary and different response. In 1963, the Roman
Catholic Bishop of Rome wrote a letter to the church entitled "Pacem in
Terris (Peace Upon Earth)." While the backdrop of this letter, the
global nuclear arms race, was a different setting than what we face
today, the bishop offered what I believe are some very applicable
thoughts. For one thing, the letter was addressed to "...all men of good
will." (3) The Bishop believed that all men and women of God's creation
had the infused spiritual capability to rise above partisanship and
join in the pursuit of peace upon earth. Accordingly, the Bishop of Rome
challenged people of faith to be both-and-citizens of the countries and
states in which they lived: full faithfulness and full citizenship.
They were called to be people of prayer whose constant supplication was
for peace and thoughtful decisions for the good of all of God's
children. Simultaneously, they were called to be citizens who were fully
engaged in the affairs of their nation. Our Christian mission is to be
both followers of the risen Lord Jesus and to be citizens involved in
the public life of our country.
Considering the heavy military
concentration within the confines of our diocese, this is a particularly
poignant moment in our lives. As a retired career service member I have
great empathy for service members and service families who must bear
the heavy weight of this burden. To them and to all of us I ask you to
be mindful that we are in the hands of a loving and caring God.
In her recent missive to our diocese,
Bishop-elect Susan Haynes implored us to a daily rule wherein we
faithfully read our scriptures and offer our prayers. As individual
Christ-followers and corporately as members of the body of Christ, this
is a time when we need to be so engaged. Accordingly, for your
individual and corporate worship usage I commend these prayers adapted
and taken from The Book of Common Prayer (1979):
Eternal God, in your perfect kingdom no
sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but
the strength of love. So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all
peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as
children of one God of all people. Guide the nations of the world into
the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which
is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Almighty and loving God, your Son
commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to
truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in
your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in
all the world: We commend our nation to your merciful care, that, being
guided by your Providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant to
the President of the United States, and to all in authority, wisdom and
strength to know and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth
and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve
this people in your fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
Almighty God, we commend to your
gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at
home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace;
strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to
face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding
presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Brothers and sisters, go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
+Jay
- https://www.the-american-interest.com/2019/07/04/better-angels-in-our-past/. Accessed January 08, 2020.
- Acts 9:2, NSRV.
- http://www.vatican.va/content/john-xxiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_j-xxiii_enc_11041963_pacem.html. Accessed January 08, 2020.
