Peace Moves The Class To Clap
The picture on my left reminds me of a visit i made to Eca in Peru to meet up with some of the children in the Vine Trust and union Biblica Homes. I'm always amazed at how well the children turn out to attend school.
I had a very interesting time visiting a very different kind of school a couple of days ago. I'm always impressed with the young people I meet in the classes at Bo'ness Academy. They are always well turned out, and very well mannered. And what is good from my perspective as School Chaplain is they take part very willingly in the discussions.
The last visit was no different except that this time after looking at a video reflecting on peace the class burst out into instant applause. There then followed a fascinating discussion. Among the questions asked was 'Who is the Prince of Peace?" What an amazing question to be asked. I was able to tell the student that the Jewish prophet Isaiah identifies the Prince of Peace as the coming Messiah when he writes, " He shall be called, Wonderful Counsellor,Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" ( Isa.9. 6b). Isaiah also speaks of the great sense of joy and completion that surrounds the one who will bring the good news of peace to the world. In Chapter 52.7-10, he reflects ' How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace. I think the teenagers where clapping because in their hearts they too are looking for peace. Have a look at the video Sanctus Media produced a few years ago, it was one of four videos we discussed exploring the words peace, love, joy and hope.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWJ55guQy3Q&list=HL1323479131&feature=mh_lolz[/youtube]
In the video the viewer is being encouraged by Isaiah and other Biblical writers to lift their eyes beyond our present trouble and believe that God will rescue us form our times of oppression and weariness. The message of Scriptures always has an optimistic note even in the darkest of places. Listen to this short meditation on peace taken from the Taize website.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1Lf2FGdKRY[/youtube]
"Throughout our life, we are beset with situations hard to explain; they sometimes include oppositions, departures of friends and loved ones, breaks in communion. And then we ask ourselves: "Will we let our joy fade away?" We have to say No, to the darkness and allow joy to remain even in times of difficulty. Instead of burdening others with our sadness, the joy of our heart brings happiness to those around us.
Today you and I are called to be the people who bring good news to our world. There is nothing more wonderful than to bring good news to someone who has lost hope and can't see a way ahead.
For many the economic difficulties facing Europe adds to the unease that is in the world to day. It is a bit of a parable. It tells us that we see the need to do something to save our world but we are unwilling to pay the price. In many ways this has been the challenge facing Germany and France and index the whole of Europe. can we become the United States of Europe and in doing so if we could guarantee peace for our children would it be worth it?
The Problem of Peace
Something I have noticed over the years is that people from all walks of life are looking for the same thing out of life. They are looking for peace of mind. Yet peace seems to be the one thing that eludes so many. Could it all boil down to the fact we are unwilling to pay the price of peace.
Is there something in our genes that makes us never quite content? There seems to me to be a continual striving after peace. We think if we get this, we'll be content. However when we get it we are looking for something else.
The huge contradiction of Christmas is we are celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace but for many there can be no peace at Christmas because of the brokenness of their world and rejection by others. The fact is that many people cannot find peace because they live in a perpetual war zone be it Africa Afghanistan Iraq or even some of our major cities in the UK.
I attended a conference couple of years ago we had a speaker fro the police. There could be up to 177 gangs in the east end of Glasgow and for at least 2,500 young people who are involved with gang lifestyle it is almost impossible for them to encounter peace. We need to be aware that there are parts of our Scotland where people can't sleep at night because of the violence that is happening all around them. Trouble in families – peace seems to be a far off dream
Trouble at work examples of this are the Public Sector workers, challenging government over their pensions. In many other places people are troubled and sad and edgy at work The Educational System's trouble and hurts have spilt over into the lives of children and students. Last week students were at a loss regarding their future. We have many schools that seem like war zones for both children and teachers. I know of teachers who are struggling to communicate with the generations. Many have lost faith in the message they are trying to communicate. This all adds up to a generation where even the teachers have lost confidence in their message of the modern world. However the truth is that the world is crying out for an encounter with peace
So the Message of the Old Testament reminding us that God is going to bring peace to our world is a life giving, hope inspiring message. The reality that this promise was lived out in the life of Jesus of Nazareth is quite breathtaking when you examine the evidence.In other words the Gospel of Grace is not just for the Jewish nation but it is for all. Jesus has come to be the bridgebuilder. He comes to reconcile us to God.
Posted By: h On: 11 Dec 2011 At: 4:55pm
Liked your wee videos.
I think you have just found the “right” words to say what many people feel, - not just around Christmas time, but throughout the year.
Thank-you!
And wishing all in Bo’ness a Happy, peaceful Christmas and 2012.