PEACE: Freedom and Equality

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Sunday, May 29, 2016

PEACE: Freedom and Equality

This is the next in a series of posts from Gemini Jr. High School in Niles. (Again, a big thank you to Mr. Rich Groeling, Gemini’s principal!)

Among the students who participated, I had two young people make their personal definitions of peace. However—neither of them left their names on the backs of their sheets of paper. I am sad about this! Still, I am presenting them here, knowing that they were and are meaningful to many, not only to these two young people.

The first definition: “Peace is freedom and equality.”

Whoa. Succinct, yet this definition says a mouthful. Yes, peace often is accompanied by freedom and equality. In the Hebrew scriptures, we can see how Moses spoke to the nation about the freedom that God grants. The spiritual redemption provided is invaluable, as is deliverance. Equality is an additional layer, layered on top. No one is more equal than any other. Each of us—each human being is unique, valuable, and different from each other person in the whole world. And, each one’s gifts are valued as much as the other. Color, creed, culture, ethnicity. Everyone matters. Unique, valuable, special.

The second definition can be challenging, and politically charged. I want to present it as the student wrote it. Simply, and in a heartfelt way.

The second definition: “Peace is freeing Palestine.”

Simply put, this definition shows a longing for freedom, just as much as the first definition did. And, not freedom in some abstract sense, but instead freedom to come and go, to work and to live their lives without fear. Without unequal distribution of power and control.

I can think of many other countries occupied by other regimes: the powerful states of Egypt, Greece, Rome. The Holy Roman Empire, the Muslim Caliphate, the British  Empire, various other controlling states.  Dear God, have mercy upon all those who suffer and have died with little or no aid or assistance. Wonderful opportunity to #PursuePEACE.

@chaplaineliza

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Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza  And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

PEACE: Justice, Freedom, and Getting Along

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, May 28, 2016

PEACE: Justice, Freedom, and Getting Along

I continue a series of posts from Gemini Jr. High School in Niles. (Again, a big thank you to Mr. Rich Groeling, Gemini’s principal!)

I feature two personal definitions of PEACE per day. This was a wonderful chance to talk with young people and get their viewpoints on PEACE.

First, Gianni’s definition: “Peace is justice and freedom between everyone. No matter what color or race we are, we still have equality.”

Next, Franklin’s definition: “Peace is having no war, and people getting along.”

I was impressed by both definitions. Excellent. Young people have such innovative ideas.

Gianni highlighted equality, no matter what color or race anyone is. Gianni, you are mirroring what you see each and every day in your classes, walking the halls at Gemini School. This school has such rich diversity! According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Chicago suburb of Niles is the most diverse—culturally, ethnically, and in every other way—of any suburb in the state of Illinois. What a wonderful viewpoint to have. What an open and welcoming lens through which to view the world, too!

Franklin gave a two-part definition: no war, and getting along. If I consider the first part, “having no war,” that only means no active fighting (or killing). Yes, that is so important! If only that was a more widespread sentiment, Franklin …

However, this young man went one step further with his personal definition: “people getting along.” This part of Franklin’s definition goes hand in hand with Gianni’s view. No matter what the differences are between individuals (or between groups of people), Franklin wants to promote peace.

Now, we need to think of some simple yet creative ways to accomplish these things! God willing, perhaps one of these young people will lead us all towards peace. Cessation of hostilities. Justice, and freedom. What a way to #PursuePEACE.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza  And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

PEACE is Accepting Yourself, and Equality

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Thursday, April 21, 2016

PEACE is Accepting Yourself, and Equality

Today I come to the end of the personal definitions from St. Viator’s High School in Arlington Heights. I am sad that I have reached the last of those personal points of view. It was so good, so refreshing to talk with so many young people and find out what they truly thought about PEACE.

That was the most interesting part. I would ask them, engage their minds. And, I could see so many young people thinking hard. Dipping down into the well of ideas, and bringing one (in some cases, two) up and out. Sharing the definitions on pieces of paper, and verbally. Some even going on at some length, with considerable eloquence. So exciting!

Finally, I would like to sincerely thank Father Corey Brost, the President of St. Viator’s High School, for his kind invitation to come and talk with the young people during their lunch periods. I truly appreciated it. I hope the young people were helped by my being there, too.

Now, to the last two definitions. First, Mike’s personal definition: “PEACE is equality.”

I asked him to explain. He said, “You can’t get peace until everyone feels part of things. If people don’t feel part of things, there can be conflict. Conflict all over.”

Mike, you spoke such truth. Alienation is such a part of conflict. Separation is a huge part of conflict, too. If people are constantly isolated and divided into separate little cubicles (real or virtual), conflict and even war are looming on the stormy horizon. (Scary thought.)

Last, Christine’s personal definition: “PEACE is something that comes with accepting yourself and others.”

Intrigued, I asked her to explain further. She said, “Not being afraid to express yourself helps me to be peaceful inside. Since I have inner peace, I can spread it to others.”

Peace. Spreading peace to others. What a wonderful idea, Christine. May we all strive to do so.

Dear Lord, help each of us to strive to spread peace to someone else. Thank You for this opportunity to talk with so many others, and to search out ideas, personal definitions of PEACE. Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza  And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

PEACE: Understanding/Equality. Part of God’s Creation.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, March 14, 2016

PEACE: Understanding/Equality. Part of God’s Creation.

Today, I start on a fascinating part of my Pursuing PEACE Project (#PursuePEACE). Last week I had to opportunity to visit St. Viator’s High School in Arlington Heights. Their principal, Fr. Corey Brost, gave me the opportunity to hang out in the lunch room and talk briefly with anyone who came up to the table I had set up on one side of the large room.

I’ll be featuring two personal definitions of PEACE per day. As I said before, a fascinating experience!

Kiana’s definition: “PEACE is when everyone understands each other’s differences and treats everyone as a part of God’s creation.”

I asked Kiana for further explanation. She said, “I wish for our world to get along [with each other]. Each person has their own opinions, and everyone needs an open mind.”

Maddie’s definition: “PEACE is equality and understanding.”

Maddie considered balance to be a fundamental part of peace. “There’s a lot of unrest when you don’t have balance between people.”

Looking at both these definitions, I see a common thread. Understanding and equality. Yes, the added icing on the cake is treating everyone as a part of God’s creation. Yes, yes. However, as a part of the #PursuePEACE Project, I am looking for the similarities. What a wonderful thing to hope for. To work for. God willing, God will help me.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er