By Roger Mitchell, Stevensville
Peace on Earth, good will toward men!
At this time of year, when hearts soften and strangers are looked on more kindly, our outlook is influenced by a wish for world peace. Yet, it appears that, instead of growing more peaceful, the world is becoming more violent. Everywhere, it seems, people are hell-bent on using violent force to attain what they want–power, money, revenge, pleasure, etc. From the top of the heap to the lowest of the low, we celebrate and worship the naked use of force to achieve our ends, regardless of who gets hurt in the process. Surely, the end justifies the means.
The list is huge–mass shootings, planes shot down or bombed, drone missile strikes, video games, movies and TV shows, brutal cops and out-of-control SWAT teams, wars without end, retaliation for slights perceived, revenge sought for hurts received, et al. In the middle of a world going berserk, the standard usually is this: If you hurt me (us), I (we) will hurt you back, only more so. And it intensifies every time someone exercises the prerogative.
I’m reminded of the scene in “Fiddler on the Roof” when the men of Anatevka are discussing what to do about the violence which is being conducted against them. “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” shouts one man. “Yes,” Tevye responds, “and soon the whole world will be blind and toothless.” What a profound statement! Even in his own distress and sorrow, Tevye can see beyond the desire to avenge wrongs and hurts. He realizes that, as violence escalates and revenge is sought after, everyone is harmed and no one wins–in the long run.
Jesus is the reason for the Season, we are repeatedly assured. This simplistic platitude is virtually worthless to a world in which people are not interested in following His example or His words. “Love your enemies,” He said, to which we reply, “Forget that! I’m going to hurt them.” When He says, “…do good to those who hate you…,” we ignore that and start thinking of ways to get even. When He admonishes us to forgive, we respond with, “…you don’t know what so and so did to me.” Except for a few weeks in December, of course, when all of us are on our best behavior.
The cycle of violence must be broken–by someone. Sooner or later, someone has to refuse to retaliate when another person “strikes them on the cheek.” Tevye understood that the escalation of violence would only result in more violence, a higher level of violence, and so he cautioned against it. Jesus the Christ commands us not to take vengeful action, no matter what, and He expects that we will obey those orders. Refusal to listen or to act accordingly has brought us to the place where presidential candidates are cheered when they promise to “make their sand glow” and office parties, movie theaters, and rock concerts are shot to pieces, for whatever reason. To seek violent retribution is to make the world more dangerous for everyone, because there are no guarantees where or when the next hammer blow will fall.
The only way out is for those who know better to call a time out, a halt to the destruction and murder, a time of peace on earth and good will toward men. All men, everywhere, no matter who they are or where they live.
“Why do you call me, LORD, LORD…”, Jesus asked, “…when you refuse to do what I say?” As avowed disciples of the Lord Christ, Christians are directed to adopt a peaceful, forgiving, non-retaliatory way of life. There are no Scriptures within the Holy Bible which allow us to circumvent this. There are no excuses. There is no other way. If we want to live IN peace, we must live AT peace.
The only question is this. Who will be the first one to take that step? The answer is obvious to anyone who wants to see it. Let there be peace on Earth AND let it begin with me.