We Serve Neither Bush Nor Blair - But Ireland

by Máire - Peaceful Means Campaign Tue Apr 18, 2006 09:54 gospelnonviolence at hotmail dot com

The history of nations,
Tells of many people,
Who suffered very greatly,
Under a foreign rule.
So let us now consider,
What we know can happen,
If rising against a system,
Which we know is very cruel.

We should never choose,
A violent way of dealing,
With evil and oppression,
No matter of what kind.
For we can just become,
Like those whom we oppose,
If we justify any killing,
Inside our little mind.

Trying to resist evil,
By any violent means,
Is absolutely useless,
And pointless to defend.
If we insist on gauging out,
Another person’s eyes,
We’ll only blind each other,
And that’s how it will end.

Counteracting violence,
With any violent means,
May make every one of us,
Just as evil too.
So let’s set out to follow,
A more successful way,
To bring about a peace,
Which will be just and true.

We need to use imagination,
And a lot of common sense,
In fostering peace initiatives,
And help to build a bridge;
We know that it is better,
When people agree to share,
Than when we kill each other,
On some embattled ridge.

The high moral ground,
Is better indeed by far,
Though nonviolent means,
Can cost us quite a lot.
Achieving lasting peace,
Is a noble and grand ideal,
The most worthwhile belief,
Which any of us has got.

Jesus wasn’t asking us,
To take a passive stance,
Turning the other cheek,
Wasn’t asking for a blow.
It was just a sign to bosses,
Of that time and place,
That respect for their servants,
Was what they ought to show.

Parting with undergarments,
In a debtor’s court,
Carrying a soldier’s pack,
For yet another mile,
Were nonviolent methods,
To resist the evil of His day,
They gave the people hope,
And maybe made them smile.

This was Jesus’ Third Way,
Which we should always seek,
So we can resist evil,
In a good and caring way,
It calls us to be brave,
To help out people in need,
We may even with our lives,
Someday have to pay.

Nonviolence can be seen,
As a spiritual challenge,
Of epical proportions,
Which are called for today.
It’s the only option left,
To get us anywhere.
But it is God’s Way of Peace,
For which we ought to pray.

Jesus didn’t do just nothing,
To bring peace here on earth,
He faced up to rampant evil,
And paid dearly with his life,
He asked that every person,
Be committed to His peace,
And live with one another,
Avoiding violent strife.

After crucifixion,
Resurrection came,
It reveals God’s Love for us,
Which we need every day.
Let’s call upon Christ Jesus,
To help us make this world,
A place where children grow,
And happily can play.

Trusting in His way,
Can even change our world,
It’s a way of bringing Peace,
Which we need never doubt.
Let’s spread the message of Easter,
Of the Glory of the Cross,
For Peaceful Means can bring,
A True Peace on Earth about.

May the Holy Spirit guide us,
When we seek a Peaceful Way,
For Jesus asked this clearly,
As ‘Love your Enemies’ He did say.

Let’s Pray for Liberation,
Of People Everywhere,
For Refugees seeking Asylum,
With whom We Need to Share.

When Opposing Domination,
Let’s adopt a Peaceful Way.
If Remembering a Nation’s Rising,
Let’s Remember Resurrection Day.

See Walter Wink Books:

Jesus and Nonviolence: A Third Way
(Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2003)
ISBN 0-8006-36093-0.

The Powers That Be: Theology for a New Millennium
(New York: Doubleday, 1998) ISBN 0-385-48752-5

[email protected]

Apologies to anyone who may be annoyed at my posting the above reflection below several other news item related to the similar themes!

by shane ocurry Tue Apr 18, 2006 17:51 http://www.blackshamrock.org/article/59

"Feeling impotent
by Jim Keys Tue Apr 18, 2006 16:15 sundayproductions at lineone dot net

Sometimes I feel so impotent when an article like this communicates to me the extent of the reality of Iraq and our slumbering collusion. Then what is heartening is that I remember that if I don't at that moment feel the surge of energy you need to motivate you to organise an event that can communicate, other people are doing it while you wait for the next wave to come. So thanks everybody in GAAW who thought one up, those who contributed to seeing it through ..."

by Máire - Peaceful Means Campaign Wed Apr 19, 2006 23:32 gospelnonviolence at hotmail dot com

I am interested in hearing from anyone planning to hold a vigil at the Israeli Embassy of Friday 21st April. Is anyone else interested in attending a brief vigil in the early afternoon?

by Máire - Peaceful Means Campaign Wed Apr 19, 2006 23:38 gospelnonviolence at hotmail dot com

Apologies! I meant to post the last comment at the end of the item on Vanunu posted last Monday!