Violence breeds violence and we ask ourselves, how is it possible to talk to people who kill, maim, bomb? As Israelis mark this grim day, which yielded horrendous harm to any hope for rapprochement, even a truce, we have to ask ourselves, how do we talk to those who are violently opposed to the values we may hold, those who hate us.
Every war, whether verbal or with arms, carries with it a history and a need to justify whatever occurs. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the invasion of Ukraine, the Israeli response to the October massacre, or gerrymandering voting districts to skew an election. But at some point, most recognize the need to stop warring and begin talking.
Talking also means that one must listen and accept some compromise, sometimes, an odious one. But what do we do when the other side doesn’t want to talk, but just plow through with their goals? This is the conundrum any group wanting to develop solutions faces. We’re certainly facing that here with our internal warring factions. Developing leadership that seeks to work for compromise, if not reconciliation, is an important step.
Prayer for the Day
Told to forgive those who harm us,
We recoil at your command, O God;
Called to embrace those who seek to destroy us,
We shudder because we feel it is unreasonable.
But, you, O Lord, demand more of us,
And we struggle with how you want us to live.
In the name of the One who reaches out to all,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Reconciliation should be accompanied by justice; otherwise it will not last. While we all hope for peace, it shouldn’t be peace at any cost but peace based on principle, on justice.
Corazon Aquino, Filipino President who defeated Marcos (1933-2009)
The work of community, love, reconciliation, restoration is the work we cannot leave up to politicians. It is the work we are called to do.
Shane Claiborne, American religious writer
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for God will speak peace to the people,
To the faithful, to those who turn to God in their hearts.
Surely God’s salvation is at hand for those who fear God,
That God’s glory ay dwell in our land.
Psalm 85: 8-9