Streams of Mercy

In this morning’s Daily News Briefings from the PC(USA) I read a timely article, written by Carl Horton, coordinator of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program in the Presbyterian Mission Agency: “The World Needs Peace- But What Exactly Is This Peace We Say We Need? I believe these thoughts are helpful for the living of these days.

“If you ask a Presbyterian to define “peace,” you’ll get lots of answers, and they’re mostly all correct. Peace is tranquility and calm and quiet and respect and all those things that we ask of our children, at least for a few blessed moments every now and then. Peace is well-being, wholeness, health, safety, security, civility and all those things we expect from our communities. Peace is diplomatic treaties, international accords, global conventions, mutual aid, disaster relief and all those things that create understanding among nations. Peace finds its expression in many ways, takes on a variety of forms and is evident in both the most intimate and expansive parts of life. And as people of faith, we believe peace — in all its expressions and forms — is a gift from God.

For Presbyterians, peace is more than an idea or a declaration. It is the work we do, and it requires both compassion and justice. As peacemakers, we are both compassion-bearers and justice-seekers, meeting the needs of the world around us and righting the wrongs that, still today, impede justice for all.

Our formation as peacemakers is an essential part of our lifelong faith formation. And yet, sometimes the peace we seek as Presbyterians is not easy. Sometimes it demands change, sacrifice and a disruption of the status quo. Peace can often be countercultural and might even call into question the church’s own culture, systems and structures. It can speak truth to power and take on the principalities of the world. And while Jesus may have been able to say “peace” and the storms would subside, the prophet Jeremiah reminds us that many times people say, “‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.” Indeed, peace is not peace if it is achieved for some and not for all.”

I’m grateful for Horton’s contribution to the journey my heart is making these days, and for those streams of mercy, never ceasing, carrying us through!

Elizabeth