The heart of the matter is faith
by Emmett Jarrett & Anne Scheibner

Thomas Merton wrote, "The God of peace is never glorified by human violence." Yet once again our country is embarked upon a war that extends across the world and involves a broad range of targets and strategies. Daily the phrase total war takes on new meanings. At the moment, enormous destructive force is unleashed against Afghanistan. The war is characterized as a "war on terror," a war "against evil." There is no end of enemies when such are the categories, yet Jesus taught us to "love our enemies," and did that Himself even to death on the cross.

One of the frustrations of peacemaking is the smallness and seeming ineffectiveness of our efforts, compared to the grossness and destructiveness of war. Therefore it is important to meet together for prayer, mutual encouragement and reflection on a regular basis. The heart of the matter is faith. Christians believe — and Jews and Muslims do as well, among others — that the earth belongs to its Creator. Human life itself is a gift from the Creator and not ours to destroy. It is not our efforts, but God’s will, that brings peace. Our task is to pay attention to God’s Spirit moving in the world, wait patiently for God’s gift, and act daily in the faith that God is present, God’s will is sovereign, and "will be done on earth as it is in heaven." It is hard to live this faith in wartime, but we do not live it alone. There are witnesses.

Christian Peacemaking Teams, an initiative among Mennonite and Church of the Brethren congregations and Friends Meetings, has issued a Statement of Conviction Regarding the "War on Terrorism". They reject war and support efforts to reduce violence in the world. The witness of the historic "peace churches" is awe-inspiring.

The Christian community at St. Francis House accepts their challenge to organize a weekly community "Truth Forum" from now until Christmas, and provide a place for people to come with questions, fears, hopes and prayers for peace. Other forms of witness must follow, but this is where we are starting.

Our customary series of every other Friday night meetings for clarification of thought is now expanded to a weekly meeting. In addition to reflection on the "works of mercy," which we began in the fall of 2001, we will include "Truth Forums" in our weekly schedule.

If you can’t come to our "Truth Forum," find one nearer home, or start your own. We’ll be happy to assist you in planning, and keep you in our prayers. Please keep us in your prayers as well. As St. Francis said, The Lord give you peace.

Emmett Jarrett and Anne Scheibner live and work at St. Francis House in New London, Connecticut. It is a Franciscan house of prayer, a house of hospitality, and a justice ministry based on the Catholic Worker model. They can be reached by email at stfrancishouse@mindspring.com