Faith in a Time of Pandemic – The World of Shalom

CXXIX
The World of Shalom
(8/11)

The wolf shall life down with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid…they will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:6, 11; read Isaiah 11:1-11)

The world of peace and wholeness seems an impossible dream these days. Not only the destruction wrought by the Coronavirus but also the ongoing conflicts among nations and the incivility in our own land. Isaiah had a dream of the peaceable realm and we are still dreaming of that world to come.
Activist A.J. Muste once said that “there is no way to peace; peace is the way.” In other words, if we seek peace in the world, we need to cultivate our personal, relational, and political peace. We need to become persons of peace, guided by the far horizon of peace that shapes each encounter and every step.

The world does not to be as it is. We do not have to be content with incivility and violence, divisiveness or domination. We can chart a new pathway and let the circles of peace widen as a result of our personal commitment to be peace.

God is the source of peace. God’s peace depends on his, as God’s hands, feet, and heart in the world. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with us.
Let there be peace on earth – sung for Pope Francis – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH2FekyDKdw
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God, give us your peace. Let us bring peace to every situation and joy to every encounter. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with us. Amen.

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Bruce Epperly is a Cape Cod pastor, professor, and author of over 50 books including HOPE BEYOND PANDEMIC, FAITH IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC, GOD ONLINE: A MYSTIC’S GUIDE TO THE INTERNET.