There is a lot that is going on in the world at the moment (isn’t there always?) – large, overwhelming, frightening things.

There are wars, conflicts and acts of violence going on it feels like everywhere. Now, we are in a “trade war” with the United States. On top of that, we are entering an election season, which does not seem to always bring out the best in us and feels more and more polarizing and war-like.

It is OK to feel overwhelmed, afraid, angry or frustrated. It is OK to feel strongly about issues. It is OK to be engaged in politics – our faith even demands it. Let me tell you, I certainly hold some strong positions and opinions.

However, an important question for us, I think, is how, as Christians, are we called to be “peacemakers” in the midst of all of these things that call us to war?

How can we, as we promise to do in our baptismal covenant, both strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being?

I don’t know if I have any easy answers. I don’t know…

Maybe part of the answer is curiosity.
Maybe part of the answer is compassion.
Maybe part of the answer is joy.
Maybe part of the answer is community.
Maybe part of the answer is praying for our “enemies.”
Maybe part of the answer is imagining how the very small can affect the very large.  

A fulsome answer escapes me. But it is still worth asking and wrestling with, as we walk alongside Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Maybe part of the answer is the prayers of lament and repentance that Lent is so known for.

This week in particular, I am thinking of the “Agnus Dei,” an ancient prayer that we pray sometimes as the bread of Communion, the Body of Christ, is broken and shared out of love for the sake of the world.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Grant us peace.

May we become more peace-filled, peace-loving, peace-making this Lent. May our prayer be, ‘Lamb of God, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, grant us peace. ‘

Thanks be to God!

 

 


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