U Thant, then United Nations secretary general from Burma,
addressed 1600 delegates from 42 nations in the late 1960’s with a question.
“Why is it for that, for all our professed ideals, our hopes and skills, peace
on earth is still a distant objective seen only dimly through the storms
and turmoil of our present difficulties?``
Translation: Why haven’t we
figured this out already?
The rage of the nations (Psalm 2) can feel like a forest
fire of hatred that leaves behind the scarred remains of hope the world over.
COVID has been ruthless it seems. Families are torn apart, people are
displaced, and suffering and disillusionment pulls our hearts through the
images of war we see.
Where do we go with our craving for peace? God’s word. David’s mention of raging nations
isn’t the final word. That is found in the book of Revelation where John
proclaims “The kingdom of this world has
become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ.” (Revelation 11) The
nations rage, but without any absolute effect. The battle has already been won.
Our task in Christian education is to so
capture our student’s hearts with the peace of Christ that they are compelled
to words and action to secure peace for all.
May peace abound in the hearts of our students and transform
them as they pronounce Christ’s kingdom that will come, and has already
come. SJ
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