"When our lives are orderly and predictable, when we experience more pleasure than pain, when we feel we are in charge of things, we may breathe a prayer of gratitude and add the request, 'Please God, let this peace remain.' Yet in those delicious personal moments we may not recognize that the systems that contribute to our peace may be oppressive to others. The pleasures we find in our purchases may be the result of tragic working conditions on the other side of the world. The satisfaction we get at work may be at the expense of other workers in the same company.
"Personal peace and an orderly life may feel good, but they are not shalom, for shalom does not bring everything to rest; it puts everything in motion. Shalom does not prevent all risks but accepts every risk that is necessary for its work. Shalom does not resolve every conflict; rather, it accepts conflict as the context in which the work of shalom must be done. Peace is shalom only when it comes with and through justice."
~Danny A.
Belrose, Keynote Address, 2001 Peace Colloquy,
Nov. 4, 2001, Independence, MO.
Cited in:
Embracing the World: Praying for Justice and Peace by Jane
Vennard (p. 14).
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3 comments:
Reminds me of the warning not to say "Peace, peace" when there is no peace.
No peace without justice.
Peace for all.
True shalom.
A vision worth working for....
Thanks for this great quote, Jan!
Jan- how I thank you. What a brilliant way to start my day.
You have given us all a gift with this post!
Jan, that is beautiful. Thanks for posting it.
Peace is shalom only when it comes with and through justice.
Amen.
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