PEACE: Community, Family Dinner

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Friday, August 12, 2016

PEACE: Community, Family Dinner

This post includes another in the series of definitions of PEACE. But, before we get to that, I need to give a little background. Several people from Morton Grove travelled down to Chicago a week and a half ago to participate in a dinner outreach called Give Them a Meal. Run by Mothers Against Senseless Killing (MASK), this is a generous act. An opportunity to be kind, to anyone who comes to the table.

When I was helping at the dinner, I asked one of the Mothers Against Senseless Killing for her personal definition of PEACE. Tamar’s personal definition: “Peace is family dinner—dinner with your community. Fellowship.”

Tamar is a straight-forward, no-nonsense person, instrumental in the outreach Give Them a Meal. When I asked her to elaborate on her personal definition, she was clear. Almost forceful in her enthusiasm. “This is it. People eat dinner together, get to know each other. This is what it’s all about.”

She wants to bring the neighborhood together, and provide an opportunity for community and fellowship. Table fellowship, where individuals can become friends.

This can be a powerful, life-changing act, breaking bread and sharing a part of themselves, a part of their very lives. Yet, such a simple act of friendship, too.

Thank God for this meal outreach. Bless all those who share in the meal, either daily or on an occasional basis. Bless those who faithfully serve, donate, and pray for this outreach. Dear God, we pray not only for the Englewood neighborhood, but also for the whole city of Chicago. For all of the suburbs, too. Bring PEACE to these many neighborhoods. And, stop the senseless killing, we pray. Dear 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.  #PursuePEACE. My Facebook page, Pursuing Peace – Thanks! And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

PEACE: Balance between Justice and Fairness

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, August 8, 2016

PEACE: Balance between Justice and Fairness

Today, we take a serious look at peace. A serious personal definition.

Before we turn to that, let’s set the stage. Here we are in the Englewood neighborhood of the south side of Chicago. A mothers’ group called Mothers Against Senseless Killing (MASK) offers a free meal outreach called Give Them a Meal. Several people—including me—ride down to help out last week.

While there, I asked a number of people on that street corner for their personal definition of PEACE. This definition by one of the Mothers Against Senseless Killing struck me in a heartfelt way. Maria’s personal definition: “PEACE to me is a balance between justice and fairness for all groups in society.”

When I asked her to elaborate on this well-thought-out definition, at first she was hesitant. I encouraged her, and then the words started to flow. “There is a reason why we don’t have peace—especially in these [inner city] areas. Residents of these areas do not have access to opportunities in some ways. That is, in an even level as other groups.”

Maria strongly presented her excellent point. She talked about the limited access to education, decent jobs and housing, and low crime areas. That is, the limited access to opportunity, of all kinds. Little wonder why the cycle of violence perpetuates itself, over large parts of the city of Chicago. A cautionary definition of PEACE, certainly. Thank you so much, Maria.

Let us pray. Dear God who loves the cities, God who loves the residents of those same areas so torn by violence, and unsavory words and deeds. We thank You for Your everlasting love for humanity. We pray for the city of Chicago, and especially the Englewood neighborhood. Bring Your peace that passes understanding into unpeaceful hearts. We pray support and encouragement fill hearts that need Your serenity. In the powerful name of the Prince of Peace we pray, amen.

@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.  #PursuePEACE. My Facebook page, Pursuing Peace – Thanks! And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

PEACE: Inner, Positive Quality

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, August 6, 2016

PEACE: Inner, Positive Quality

This post includes a second definition of PEACE. But, before we get to that, I need to give a little background. Several people from Morton Grove traveled down to Chicago on Wednesday to participate in a dinner outreach called Give Them a Meal. Run by Mothers Against Senseless Killing (MASK), this is a tremendous opportunity to give back what God shows to us: love and grace.

While there on the south side of Chicago, I asked one of the Mothers Against Senseless Killing for her personal definition of PEACE. Everloyce’s personal definition: “PEACE is an inner quality that is expressed in positive ways on the outside.”

Absolutely marvelous, I told Everloyce. Since she has obviously given the matter much thought, I asked her to elaborate on that explanation. She said, “PEACE is something that you feel intuitively. My mother said, ‘Still water runs deep, but it’s hell at the bottom.’ In other words, you can look at the calmest person, but it’s all turmoil inside.

“Unbelievable. You think, just like on the outside, everything is calm. But on the inside, it is pain, rage, sadness. The full range of emotions.” As I checked further, I ran into people who were so emotionally invested in this question, and it is powerful. Thank you, Everloyce.

Let’s pray. Gracious God, we pray for the catechism that is coming to those young people. For freedom of expression and passage. Dear Lord, we pray for the Mothers Against Senseless Killing. Bless their outreaches, including Give Them a Meal. Give all those in the Englewood area Your peace, Your peace that passes human understanding. And, bring about a lasting peace that is expressed in positive ways, dear God.  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.  #PursuePEACE. My Facebook page, Pursuing Peace – Thanks! And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er