The Second Sunday in Lent
The Work of Peace
Reflection by Abigail W. Moon
Let there be peace on earth And let it begin with me.
- Jill Jackson
The song, Let There be Peace on Earth, was first sung at a youth retreat in 1955. Jill Jackson, the composer, deeply desired not only peace in the global community but also within herself. Composing this simple song after her own mental health struggles, the lyrics speak to finding peace within and alongside those beside us.
We live in a world of unrest, violence, and pain, and—if we are being honest—that world has existed since the garden of Eden. Choices that harm ourselves and others distract us from living in harmony with our greater community.
As a person who dislikes conflict, I recently found myself in a heated conversation with a colleague. We both disagreed and there was no common ground to be found. Pain and fracture seemed to be the only outcome of our discussion. I left hurt, sad, and wounded because of the anger and pain of our discussion on both sides. When I got home, I found the bag of daffodil bulbs that had yet to be planted in my yard, so I picked up my gardening gloves and got to work.
Planting in the midst of all the emotions gave me something concrete that I could do as I listened to both my heart and brain wrestling over how to stay in relationship while disagreeing with my colleague. Digging in the dirt gave me a space to find a place for this pain and anger to be transformed with time into something that could bring about beauty and new life. I wasn’t burying my emotions, rather holding them and letting them go so that the experience could bear new fruit.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” He did not say peace-making would be easy work. Peace work begins within tension and can cause more tension as peace is created. In order to be a part of peace, we have to lean toward each other and the common goal of working together to restore community.
The seasons of creation often remind me of the constant renewal and beginning again. Often, I find myself humming simple songs in the midst of stressful times, refocusing my attention to the words and tune, and finding a different sense of peace about the situation and what can be done.
What practices have you adopted that recenter and refocus you to be a peacemaker within yourself, and within your community?
Listen To Our Lent Podcast Episodes
We also invite you to listen to the Living Compass Spirituality and Wellness Podcast hosted by Scott Stoner. This is a year-round, weekly podcast; however, during Lent, there will be two new episodes each week to enrich your experience of our Lenten readings on Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit.
You can listen to the podcast on our website by clicking HERE. You can also find this podcast in your favorite podcast listening app (Apple, Google, Spotify, etc.)—just search for Living Compass Spirituality and Wellness