Peace Moment for November 7, 2021 Blessed Be the Lord Ruth 3:1-5;4:13-17
by Claudia Schooler
We revere the story of Ruth – her loyalty to Naomi, the imagery of gleaning in the fields, the love story and her role in the lineage of David. This short book in the Hebrew scriptures stands out for giving us a rare glimpse of the feminine perspective. Blessed be the Lord who watched over these two women.
If we dig deeper, we realize this story would not be remarkable without the long standing customs of patriarchy that did not allow widows to inherit their husband’s property. How many widows and orphans, especially daughters, were thrown out to live or die in abject poverty? It was (and in places still is) an unjust system.
There are so many barriers to peace and wholeness built into the world’s power systems. Doctrine and Covenants 163:3b reminds us, “Courageously challenge cultural, political, and religious trends that are contrary to the reconciling and restoring purposes of God. Pursue peace.”
` Community of Christ awards a peace prize to individuals who stand up to injustice. Here are some of the causes these courageous people have addressed.
- Gary White -access to clean water and sanitation
- Sister Andrea Kantner -medical supplies for countries with low access
- Leyma Gbowee (Bow-ee) -leader of women’s movement to end war in Liberia
- Bread for the World -world hunger
- Dr Tadatoshi Akiba -nuclear disarmament
- Dolores Huerta & Father Elizando -farm workers’ rights
- Reverend James Lawson -segregation in Nashville, TN
- Dr. Jean Vanier -barriers for adults with developmental disabilities
(The complete list can be found at cofchrist.org/international-peace-award )
My efforts for peace may not lead to an award. But there are plenty of cultural, political and religious trends, and we can add economic, educational, environmental trends and more. All of these call for our courageous challenges. How and where will you pursue peace? *An appropriate peace prayer might be The Mission Prayer.