April 12 – Peace

Around this time of year, I think about how peace means different things depending on where you are standing. As Jesus and his disciples entered Jerusalem, a day we remember on Palm Sunday, they were singing for peace. They wanted peace.

The Roman Empire wanted peace too. But to them, peace meant something entirely different. To Rome, peace meant no challenge to their authority. To the empire, who reasons that, since they have the power, they clearly also have the greater wisdom, so everyone should trust, them, honor them, obey them. And to Rome, the best way to keep the peace was to have the threat of violence always in the air.

The Hebrew word we usually take to mean peace is nothing like this Roman peace. Shalom, the Hebrew word, means wholeness. This is the peace of God that often passes understanding –

the peace that doesn’t really exist in this world. There are places in this world – in the Middle East, in Central America, in our own cities – where the poorest ones live in virtual war zones. Why? It is not because they have chosen this state of affairs. Rather, it is because Empire demands that the weakest pay the price for the rest. People who are poor are isolated in areas without resources and without the means to get out of there. For them, there is no peace. But, I can imagine them singing for peace.

When the poor one who has nothing shares with strangers,
When the thirsty water give unto us all,
 When the crippled in their weakness strengthen others,
Then we know that God still goes that road with us.

May we turn from the wisdom of empire and seek out the wisdom of poverty.