The Coming of Peace

She is thirty-eight years old.   Branka.   She is a peace activist — her own definition.  She lives and works in Zagreb, Croatia. That country, along with Bosnia and  Serbia desperately needs someone to be working for peace.

She studied in America at Boston. She chose to come back to Croatia. Why?     “I just got tired of this feeling of being powerless.  I had to do something about it.”  Her country — one where nationalistic and religious groups hate each other have yet to learn to forgive and live together. Don’t be too quick to judge them. The whole area has a history of war, hate, violence to neighbors for centuries. It is a way of life that has few examples of a way to peaceful living.

“Branka, why did you not stay in America?” “Well, I could have stayed, worked two jobs and had a nice place to live and all the stuff I could ever want. But what kind of life is that?”   Interesting!!

“Branka, what faith group do you belong to?” “I’m atheist.” The  perception of most common people is that church and mosque are not helpful forces in bringing people together.

A phrase I learned — “The Arrogance of the Majority.” Where Catholics were majority, other religious groups were pushed aside. The same is true where the Orthodox or the Moslems had the majority. Ethnic cleansing — neighbor killing neighbor because they were a different nationality or religious group.

I admire the stance of Branka. She is tired of feeling powerless.  She is tired because of her work for peace.

           
We have not come to this point in America yet. But when our appointees to the Supreme Court must pass a religious litmus test, we are on the way.  When our judges place the Ten Commandments in courts of law, we are on the way. When our religious few becomes so intolerant that we bomb abortion clinics and murder those who take a pro-choice position — we are on the way. When we allow religious  fanatics – Christian, Muslim — to push  us to the brink of not trusting our neighbors, we are on the way.

I like those Christmas cards that have quiet scenes — that speak of the time of peace. Cards that encourage us to reach out in ways of reconciliation to our neighbors.  What I know in my heart and head is that a Christmas card proclaiming peace does not make peace a reality.  Peace comes through our common life and through ways that transcend differences of color, religion,  gender. If we want peace — we must be tired because we are working for justice for all. Peace does not come through a Christmas card proclaiming it. Peace comes when we trust each other enough to grant others the same trust and respect that we want.

Christmas, the coming of peace. Let us be tireless in making it so.

Peace,

Rev. Bud Precise