THE REVOLUTION THAT BRINGS ABOUT PEACE
(Luke 12:49-53)
Jesus started a protest in
today's gospel reading. The protest was not understood by people around him. He
said to his disciples: I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it
were already kindled!
This is interesting indeed
considering what is happening in Nigeria right now. Jesus asked the question:
Do you think I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather
division...
He has come to divide the evil
thread holding the cabals together. He has come to set the fire of passion for
justice and true peace in the world. He has come to destroy the fake peace
existing between the leaders and the led. He has come to open our eyes to end
the demagogy of evil leaders. He wants us to stop feeling at peace with the
"My People My People" we hear from those who do not mean good for us.
Indeed, Jesus is setting the fire
that will enable even those who have benefited from evil all along to come out
and say: "we are doing the wrong thing. Let us stop please"
The revolution of Jesus is a
pathway to a lasting peace. It is not the immediate peace that is like a
covered pot with things boiling inside. Let the injustices boiling inside be
treated. Let brutality boiling inside be addressed. Let the marginalization
causing grumbling here and there be dealt with. Let the fake unity and false
marriage be harmonized. Let the intimidations stop. Let the voice of the poor
be heard and not empty promises and offering of peanuts.
Jesus is not rushing into peace
but wants to attend to the reasons for absence of peace. How will there be
peace when one is not paid his salaries after working? How will there be peace
when, after retirement, a senior citizen will not receive his pension and
gratuity? How can there be peace when peaceful protesters without arms are shot
and killed by the armed forces? What type of peace will be experienced by a taxpayer
who has no good road, no access to the basic amenities that should be provided?
What type of peace are we talking
about when, because of money, a man is ready to betray his people? What type of
peace will there be when Peter is robbed to pay Paul?
Jesus is inviting us to work for
a lasting peace. Jesus is calling us to be united in common good. Jesus is
challenging us to feel with one another in an authentic way. Jesus wants us to
see the humanity in the other. Jesus wants us to rise and defend each other. He
wants us to say no to evil wherever it is coming from, even when our own
friends are the perpetrators. Until true
peace is restored in our land the Lord will not rest. Till something is done
about the blood of the innocent that have flowed on our land, Jesus will not
rest. Till we collectively expel unrest
and abuse of power there will not be true peace.
Let all of us, wherever we are,
revolutionize our mindset and create an enabling environment for Jesus' brand
of peace to reign. May we achieve this
peace which Saint John Paul II propagated through dialogue and solidarity. May the peace of Christ be with us all.
Let us pray
Lord Jesus, you are the prince of
peace. We are living in a world filled with chaos and anarchy. The unrest in
our society now is overwhelming. Indeed, our understanding of peace as keeping
quiet in the face of evil has failed us. Raise up for us more peacemakers. Put
an end to the turbulence in our world. Help us to listen to that voice that
speaks of peace May our revolutions remain peaceful and yield a positive
result. Protect us all now and always. May your peace that the world cannot
give be our portion through Christ our Lord. Amen
St JohnPaul II, pray for us.
God bless your Thursday
Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh
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