Since Pentecost we’ve been looking at Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. We traveled a long way, from birth and death to weeping and dancing to losing and being silent. Last week, we considered how love and hate both impact our lives, and how the greatest of these is love.
The final phrase speaks of a time for war and a time for
peace. The Rt. Rev. Michael Hunn, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the
Rio Grande, stated before the election that politics and democracy are not supposed
to be like a war. He said, “It’s not winner take all [like in the Super Bowl or
World Series or battle].”
In his acceptance speech, President-Elect Joe Biden quoted other leaders who said
similar things. President Abraham ended his First Inaugural Address in 1861 by saying, “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may
have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of
memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart
and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the
Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our
nature.”
History tells us that his words did not stop the bloody
Civil War where brother fought brother, and left deep wounds that are still
felt today. However, as the online Pulpit Commentary says, “The second clause [of Ecclesiastes 3:8] has to do with national concerns, and touches on the statesmanship which
discovers the necessity or the opportuneness of war and peace, and acts
accordingly…the lesson intended is this--that man is not independent; that
under all circumstances and relations he is in the hand of a power mightier
than himself, which frames time and seasons according to its own good
pleasure. God holds the threads of human life…Koheleth [author of Ecclesiastes] never denies man's
liberty, though he is very earnest in asserting God's sovereignty.”
We say that we believe God is ultimately in control. As Julian of
Norwich’s famous quote from Revelations of Divine Love says, “All shall
be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” As
humans we may sin by killing, tearing down relationships, sowing hate or
causing grief. However, in the end, God promises that we can find peace in our
hearts. God has the final say.
Wars have been fought for territory and for greed. They have
been waged to gain or keep power. There have been conflicts because of
conflicting ideology. There are even plenty of wars mentioned in the Old
Testament. Divisions caused by differences can run deep-deep enough to cause rage and ultimately war.
In contrast, both Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3 promise, God will
judge between many peoples and arbitrate for strong nations far and wide. Then
they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning
hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor will they
train anymore for war.
Psalm 46: 9-11 tells us God makes wars cease to the end
of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields
with fire. Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I
am exalted in the earth.’ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our
refuge.
Our day-to-day lives are not meant to be lived at war with
each other. We don’t need to fight over ideas or skin color or who is right.
Instead, we should look to the God of love who makes wars to cease and commands
us to love your neighbor as yourself.
The National Cathedral has been using the Prayer of St.
Francis (make me an instrument of your peace) since early October. You may want
to add this to your prayer time, too.
Where can you make peace today?
In what way can you listen to someone who has differing
views?
