We anguished pray, someday peace can stay... till then the mad acquisition of territory has it's basis in expanding populations; greed as well yes, but human kind is expanding without birth limits. A fact we ignore at our peril. Somehow the sperm must find fewer eggs to grow humans or the world will kill itself, whether war, famine, disease, or simply polluting the earth with our chemicals, waste, and piles of trash. War is swift and deadly; over population is more deadly, just eons slower!
I sit in tears as I read your article and can only speculate how different things will be when all God’s people embrace the reality of , “The Kingdom of God is at hand”
WOW, A VERY CHLLENGING THOUGHT PROVOKING WRITING HERE. JUST PEACE IS SO OUT OF LINE RIGHT NOW BUT THE HOPE FOR SUCH IS STILL DEEPLY PRESENT. THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME THINK DIFFERENTLY
Gilbert’s agenda “ it’s time for all of us to think and act as a species if we are to survive!”
I agree, but sadly just like finding a “just peace” among all nations is a terrifying challenge.
Maybe we can work toward “A JUST PEACE” by healing the hurt’s among those near us. I tell my family how can we expect peace among nations if families can reconcile their differences!
Well, I tell you this is a work in progress every day. Merry Christmas to all and my we find new ways to heal our differences
Diana you are a truth teller that is so valuable 😍
Powerful, thoughtful reflection on a just peace. So elusive, so alluring, so desired deep in every heart. Thank you for engaging with Zelensky's thoughts. May the light of Christ show us the path to follow if we are to find a just peace and live into it. Merry Christmas
“A just peace is genuine repair and renewal, and it creates the possibility for all parties to be, at some level, reconciled and acknowledging the full humanity of the other. A just peace brings together victims and victimizers.” May we ALL work to attain this in our own corner of the world!
The phrase “a just peace” is tragically unobtainable for this war. A just peace would find a way for each side to be willing to walk away and not “make war no more” against each other. But the way the two sides see the war is like two non-overlapping Venn diagrams. Neither side can comprehend the way the other sees the world. The BEST case scenario in this situation would be like the Korean Conflict armistice. There are two Koreas. Each one makes noises about reunifying the Korean Peninsula, but our military presence in South Korea prevents the North from trying it on, and China would never let us get away with trying it, nor does South Korea really want to try. Everyone makes do with a situation that is not ideal from either one’s point of view. That is the best that can be hoped for when it comes to Ukraine and Russia. It would not be possible to “defeat” Russia, and it would be a catastrophe if it were really tried. A lot of Americans say stupid things in this respect. We will make sure that Russia does not “defeat” Ukraine. But until Ukraine gives up the idea of defeating Russia, the war will continue and more and more Ukrainians and Russians will die. And Jesus will continue to weep. God loves each of us the same, Ukrainians, Russians and Americans. And there is that little matter of nuclear weapons. So much chance of catastrophic screwups there.
This article was beautifully written! My daughter in law has family near Dnipro and I currently teach ESL to a woman whose family escaped Ukraine. Peace must include stopping evil from harming people and rendering justice. Some day there will be a New Heaven and Earth, and Love will shut out all violence then. Until that Apocalyptic day, the lives of innocent children, families, and elderly must be protected, even by air power and bombs.
Zelensky was not getting "bombs" but Patriot missiles which are used to blow up incoming missiles and drones- neither of which are manned. And after reading Judges in which various prophets are ordered by God to war against their oppressors, it is not surprising that a person of the Jewish faith sees Biblical injunction as an important concern against an oppressor that has ravaged in the most grotesque way, his people.
This is a lovely reflection on yesterday's news. My heart hurt for Mr. Zelenskyy as I heard his speech to Congress. A just war can ever only be attributed to the injured party, as in this case. Ukraine is fighting a just war, however, Mr. Putin is fighting an unjust war. And a just peace, needs to have amends and repair as you said; however, I believe that Mr. Putin owes amends and repair to his own people in addition to Ukraine. How many Russian parents lost sons and daughters over the last 10 months? Your reflection was so well written and helped me to think more clearly about these issues. Thank you for your work. Wishing you and your family a wonder Christmas.
What a beautiful, tragic, hopeful, piece that simultaneously in its power crushes me on the rocks of reality and then transports me to the firmament of hope and possibility. I grieve for our collective inability over these many centuries to elevate humankind further than where we are still. The violence, anger, racism, fear that has taken at least a foothold in our own country can keep us distracted. A just peace on a global scale has never existed. Is it achievable? Perhaps it is just to begin simply in our own lives to imbuing our actions with peace toward the people we love most. Taking personal responsibility is what Zelenskyy has done all along. It appears to be a cultural trait that is a sadly oft-repeated response to invasion in their country. Look at their response to the last invasion! They are of indomitable spirit! I find them compelling and irresistible, and this article is truly far beyond my expectations for the sheer range of what you have covered in this piece. I choose to tarry within this article as long and often as possible because I haven't come close to feeling everything you have written, and must understand each separate offering. I am overwhelmed and so very grateful,
Thank you for your thoughts on a just peace. On a different topic, please check out Jennifer Rubin's opinion piece in the Washington Post today. It shares a bit of history (so I thought of you) as she quotes from a letter George Washington sent to a Jewish congregation in 1790. I am a retired Presbyterian pastor who now attends a progressive Methodist church as well as occasionally worshipping in the Jewish synagogue here in Corvallis, Oregon.
This was the most well-timed and beautifully written piece I’ve read during any Advent season ever! It rightly adjusted my path towards Christmas Day! I’m a UM pastor.
We anguished pray, someday peace can stay... till then the mad acquisition of territory has it's basis in expanding populations; greed as well yes, but human kind is expanding without birth limits. A fact we ignore at our peril. Somehow the sperm must find fewer eggs to grow humans or the world will kill itself, whether war, famine, disease, or simply polluting the earth with our chemicals, waste, and piles of trash. War is swift and deadly; over population is more deadly, just eons slower!
Diane
I sit in tears as I read your article and can only speculate how different things will be when all God’s people embrace the reality of , “The Kingdom of God is at hand”
Grace and Peace to all!
Phil
Bless you! Meaningful article as always! May you and Richard and your family share Christmas Blessings now and throughout Epiphany. Beverly
WOW, A VERY CHLLENGING THOUGHT PROVOKING WRITING HERE. JUST PEACE IS SO OUT OF LINE RIGHT NOW BUT THE HOPE FOR SUCH IS STILL DEEPLY PRESENT. THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME THINK DIFFERENTLY
Opps I didn’t finish!
Gilbert’s agenda “ it’s time for all of us to think and act as a species if we are to survive!”
I agree, but sadly just like finding a “just peace” among all nations is a terrifying challenge.
Maybe we can work toward “A JUST PEACE” by healing the hurt’s among those near us. I tell my family how can we expect peace among nations if families can reconcile their differences!
Well, I tell you this is a work in progress every day. Merry Christmas to all and my we find new ways to heal our differences
Diana you are a truth teller that is so valuable 😍
ways.
I suggest once more for all to read the human Paradox, by Gilbert Mulley
He goes a step futher sayin
Powerful, thoughtful reflection on a just peace. So elusive, so alluring, so desired deep in every heart. Thank you for engaging with Zelensky's thoughts. May the light of Christ show us the path to follow if we are to find a just peace and live into it. Merry Christmas
“A just peace is genuine repair and renewal, and it creates the possibility for all parties to be, at some level, reconciled and acknowledging the full humanity of the other. A just peace brings together victims and victimizers.” May we ALL work to attain this in our own corner of the world!
The phrase “a just peace” is tragically unobtainable for this war. A just peace would find a way for each side to be willing to walk away and not “make war no more” against each other. But the way the two sides see the war is like two non-overlapping Venn diagrams. Neither side can comprehend the way the other sees the world. The BEST case scenario in this situation would be like the Korean Conflict armistice. There are two Koreas. Each one makes noises about reunifying the Korean Peninsula, but our military presence in South Korea prevents the North from trying it on, and China would never let us get away with trying it, nor does South Korea really want to try. Everyone makes do with a situation that is not ideal from either one’s point of view. That is the best that can be hoped for when it comes to Ukraine and Russia. It would not be possible to “defeat” Russia, and it would be a catastrophe if it were really tried. A lot of Americans say stupid things in this respect. We will make sure that Russia does not “defeat” Ukraine. But until Ukraine gives up the idea of defeating Russia, the war will continue and more and more Ukrainians and Russians will die. And Jesus will continue to weep. God loves each of us the same, Ukrainians, Russians and Americans. And there is that little matter of nuclear weapons. So much chance of catastrophic screwups there.
This article was beautifully written! My daughter in law has family near Dnipro and I currently teach ESL to a woman whose family escaped Ukraine. Peace must include stopping evil from harming people and rendering justice. Some day there will be a New Heaven and Earth, and Love will shut out all violence then. Until that Apocalyptic day, the lives of innocent children, families, and elderly must be protected, even by air power and bombs.
Dear Diana,
You wrote an excellent commentary on Zelensky's speech to the U.S. Congress and our nation. Often life is full of paradoxes: War & Peace side by side.
Darkness & Light!
Blessings to you & your loved ones!
Mimi
Zelensky was not getting "bombs" but Patriot missiles which are used to blow up incoming missiles and drones- neither of which are manned. And after reading Judges in which various prophets are ordered by God to war against their oppressors, it is not surprising that a person of the Jewish faith sees Biblical injunction as an important concern against an oppressor that has ravaged in the most grotesque way, his people.
This is a lovely reflection on yesterday's news. My heart hurt for Mr. Zelenskyy as I heard his speech to Congress. A just war can ever only be attributed to the injured party, as in this case. Ukraine is fighting a just war, however, Mr. Putin is fighting an unjust war. And a just peace, needs to have amends and repair as you said; however, I believe that Mr. Putin owes amends and repair to his own people in addition to Ukraine. How many Russian parents lost sons and daughters over the last 10 months? Your reflection was so well written and helped me to think more clearly about these issues. Thank you for your work. Wishing you and your family a wonder Christmas.
From Barbara P.
What a beautiful, tragic, hopeful, piece that simultaneously in its power crushes me on the rocks of reality and then transports me to the firmament of hope and possibility. I grieve for our collective inability over these many centuries to elevate humankind further than where we are still. The violence, anger, racism, fear that has taken at least a foothold in our own country can keep us distracted. A just peace on a global scale has never existed. Is it achievable? Perhaps it is just to begin simply in our own lives to imbuing our actions with peace toward the people we love most. Taking personal responsibility is what Zelenskyy has done all along. It appears to be a cultural trait that is a sadly oft-repeated response to invasion in their country. Look at their response to the last invasion! They are of indomitable spirit! I find them compelling and irresistible, and this article is truly far beyond my expectations for the sheer range of what you have covered in this piece. I choose to tarry within this article as long and often as possible because I haven't come close to feeling everything you have written, and must understand each separate offering. I am overwhelmed and so very grateful,
Barbara Pinkston
Thank you for your thoughts on a just peace. On a different topic, please check out Jennifer Rubin's opinion piece in the Washington Post today. It shares a bit of history (so I thought of you) as she quotes from a letter George Washington sent to a Jewish congregation in 1790. I am a retired Presbyterian pastor who now attends a progressive Methodist church as well as occasionally worshipping in the Jewish synagogue here in Corvallis, Oregon.
This was the most well-timed and beautifully written piece I’ve read during any Advent season ever! It rightly adjusted my path towards Christmas Day! I’m a UM pastor.