Our discussion today went something like -
Have a look at one picture or image - what do you feel about it, what do you think about it and imagine Jesus is sitting with you and what do you imagine he would make of it and have to say about it in relation to his take on 'peace on earth'?
We shared in small groups about several very different images and began to dwell more on the third part of the question...Here are some snippets:
"In this picture there are angels and animals - lots of different ones from around the earth. They are not hurting or harming each other. There is a lamb with a halo in the middle! If a zebra and a tiger and a lamb can be together - why cant we? They kill for food. We kill for pleasure"
"Jesus would say about this picture - if they can do this then why can't you all do it - no on is in fear, no one is attacking each other out of spite...if they can then you can."
"Jesus would want us to be concerned about the environment each of these animals has to live in because some of where they live is being chopped down and taken away...they have no home - like the forests, rainforests and places like that. Jesus wants us to make sure they have their own kind of environment, not just to learn in zoos about these animals. To make a home for them is peace on earth."
"For Christmas my son did something different this year. He bought us all an animal - sponsored each month. My grandson got a black panther for Christmas and he could tell all his friends about it and his teacher too - and they did a special lesson to learn about it. I think I might do that next Christmas. That's peace on earth isn't it? The animals need peace on earth as much as we do."
It was an amazing sharing of the interpretation of the theme Peace on Earth given by the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation meeting this week in Jamaica after the Decade to Overcome Violence by the World Council of Churches.
The United Reformed Church has a representative there - Revd Sian Collins and she will share in more detail about it later this year with us in November. I will post here to let you know more.
In the meantime - what does the One of Peace call you to today - what specific person or place or way is calling you to bring, share or pray for peace on earth? May the Christ of Peace be with you in your walk. Amen
