Wednesday, 17 March, 2004

We will continue to base the devotions on “God for a Secular Culture” by Jurgen Moltmann.



This week we will look at how we apply a principle like ‘unity in division and division in unity’ to the knowing of other people, other things, and the Wholly Other God.

Must a society’s enemies not be told: either adapt or emigrate? I do not believe so. While the foundation of a society consisting of people who are like each other is normally the love of friends, the foundation of the society made up of the different is, if the worst comes to the worst, the love of enemies. To love our enemies means taking responsibility not just for ourselves and those who belong to us, but for our enemies too. We then no longer ask merely: how can we defend ourselves against our possible enemies? Our question now is: how can we take away their enmity, so that we can all survive together? In this sense, love of enemies is the foundation for a shared life in conflicts.



What a very different way to look at enemies. Rather than focus on how we defend ourselves against them, we ask how we can take away their enmity/hostility. Obviously, it is a much easier take into consideration defense against someone than to consider entering into a relationship with that ‘other’ so that both sides can look at the power of division that manifests itself in the form of hatred and hostility. Jesus always went toward those who criticized him. The conversation never stopped. In family systems theory we are told to stay connected with those against whom we may simply want to war! Unfortunately, we don’t teach the ways of peacemaking very often. As much as Dennis Kucinich was derided for many of his ideas, I really did think his notion of a department of peace would and could be an asset for it does not call us to arms; it calls us into conversation and the ongoing journey of reconciliation. Aren’t we, as followers of Jesus, called to be ministers of reconciliation? I think so.



Connection: Building a community in which our so called ‘enemies’ are included is not as easy as simply closing our doors to them. For the sake of peace, we may be invited within this day to spend more time…to step out of our box…to look again at the actions and ideas of others. Yes, that takes time…and patience…and endurance…and hope. That’s sounds kind of biblical.



God of Peace and Reconciling Lord, continue to make into the instruments of your peaceful Reign. Lift us up, send us out, lift us up again, and bless us with the power of love that given by your alone. Amen.