Peace is not just the absence of conflict out in the world--it is the absence of conflict within me. Peace is a state of consciousness in which my thoughts align with my divine nature more closely than they align with the ego driven thoughts of defense, attack, revenge and making things right.
When acts of violence occur, as they continue to do, the troubled waters are not only out in the words and actions of those in the world but the storms rage within me. The word "hatred" kindles a kind of boiling bubbling that surrounds my heart and blocks the natural radiance of love. I see what is so "wrong" and my thoughts long for retribution to be visited upon those who commit violence. Herein lies the challenge. If my response to "All the Jews should die" is "All the supremacists should be eliminated", am I perpetuating the violence of hatred?
To truly eliminate the belief in supremacy is to create an environment of love in which there is no need to fear there is not enough and there is no need for someone to be less worthy in order for another one to recognize its own worth. That environment of love is a huge undertaking and we are called to nothing less.
Yes I believe in gun control and yet, to remove one weapon and not remove the hate allows the violent heart to seek new weapons. Our ultimate goal would be to remove the need to hurt one another.
Since the 2016 Election Season we have Paused for Peace the last Wednesday of each month from 6pm to 6:30pm in the sanctuary and in our prayer time. It is not an elaborate or lengthy service. It happens again tonight. I am inviting ministries from Emmaus and our Lehigh Valley Interfaith groups to join us in the coming months. There never ceases to be a call for peace. It is a reminder of the peace within that feeds our resolve to work for peace without. Tonight we'll speak the names of those who lost their lives in Pittsburgh and in Jeffersontown, KY. We'll pray for the shooters and bombers who fearfully believe violence will resolve the issues in our world. There will also be an Interfaith Vigil at the Jewish Community Center in Allentown, on Tilghman Street at 7pm. Please plan to be at one or the other events.
As I shared last week: T
he words to Here I Am Lord say, "I will break their hearts of stone. Give them hearts for love alone." Only a fierce love will break hearts of stone. Love fiercely. Live in the possibility of peace.
Reverend Joy
