It is Armistice Day, 90 years since the first World War ended in 1918. On this day, it is usual to remember those who gave their lives in this, the 'Great War' and the Second World War as well.
The Little Sisters of Joy is a Foundation for Peace and Reconciliation, whose starting point comes from a different angle: we first look to the whole human community and its need of healing, in which an anti-war stance is simply part of the wider spectrum. This approach, which encompasses Jewish-Christian reconcilation at the heart, also building bridges of Peace between Arabs and Jews, different Christians and indeed men and women,is both realistic and almost impossible to measure at any one given time.
Sometimes, being asked 'What do you actually do?' and not being able to give an accurate answer on the spot, one can only be consoled by the saying of Jesus:
'You shall know them by their fruits.'
Sowing the seeds of love can be very fruitful when talking to people involved in the Military. I meet them quite often on my travels and there is a large airforce US base very near to Cambridge. My dream is to go and sing there, as I nearly did in my youth at the Faslane submarine base in Scotland. Music is always the best way to make Peace, as is attested by Daniel Barenboim's bringing together muscians, Arab and Israeli , to play together in Israel/Palestine. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra also has a programme of 'Playing for Peace.' But even talking to military personnel I find something in common, and there is usually always mutual respect.
There are those who hold up banners,and those who go on marches, those who sing and those who quietly grieve. Death and destruction is never a celebration, neither is earthly glory. Only the knowledge that death is never the end.
The seed that dies in the ground, buried and hidden in the depths of winter,slowly incubating and germinating, must be gently tended and nurtured, until,at the appointed time and in the harvest of righteousness, it bears enormous fruit.
Shalom
Sister Gila
1 comment:
One thing you have written here brought back a vivid memory to me. I was at a social luncheon and the lady next to me said "what do you do?" I was a little taken aback as I obviously was passed retirement age and I wondered what she meant. I answered that I looked after my family, she did not speak to me again. This did not upset me but made me think that I was doing a very worthwhile "job", which I then had the time to do properly. I am sure it helped to make us a close and loving family. Barbara
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