操练和平
20世纪可以算是一个人们迫切寻求和平的世纪。第一次世界大战被称为“结束所有战争的战争”,但很快,第二次更大的世界大战又接踵而至。20世纪60年代,卖花的孩子们将康乃馨塞进士兵的枪管,高喊着“和平,和平”,以示抗议。70年代,青年们放弃了好战的心态,寻求内心的平静。80、90年代,人们的呼声是“以繁荣求和平”。雅皮士们通过积累财富、追求上进来追逐和平。但在21世纪的今天,大多数人根本不知道到哪里去寻找他们所渴望的和平。
只有当圣灵进入我们的生命,我们才能发现真正的和平。圣经中的和平一词是shalom,这是中东地区至今仍在使用的问候语。Shalom指的是一种祝福,包括与神和好、个人的幸福和兴旺、人际关系的和睦、社会的和谐。而耶稣因为爱我们的缘故,藉着祂的降生、受死和复活,使这一切对我们的生命成为了可能。
圣灵的和平也让我们看到了社会不公,敦促我们致力于反对种族主义、暴力执法和新冠病毒(COVID-19)的肆虐。正如堕落的人类用他们所有的能力和毅力发动战争一样,基督徒也用类似的努力和规划发动和平。我们活在圣灵中,就藉着祂为我们赎回的和平纽带,保守我们在基督里的合一。
神的灵啊,感谢你将你的平安赐给我们。为耶稣的缘故,使我们今天在你的世界里成为和平的使者。阿们。
约翰福音 14:25-31; 以弗所书 4:2-6
25“我还与你们同住的时候,已将这些话对你们说了。
26但保惠师,就是父因我的名所要差来的圣灵,他要将一切的事指教你们,并且要叫你们想起我对你们所说的一切话。
27我留下平安给你们,我将我的平安赐给你们。我所赐的不像世人所赐的,你们心里不要忧愁,也不要胆怯。
28你们听见我对你们说了,我去,还要到你们这里来。你们若爱我,因我到父那里去,就必喜乐,因为父是比我大的。
29现在事情还没有成就,我预先告诉你们,叫你们到事情成就的时候,就可以信。
30以后我不再和你们多说话,因为这世界的王将到;他在我里面是毫无所有,
31但要叫世人知道我爱父,并且父怎样吩咐我,我就怎样行。起来,我们走吧!”
2凡事谦虚、温柔、忍耐,用爱心互相宽容,
3用和平彼此联络,竭力保守圣灵所赐合而为一的心。
4身体只有一个,圣灵只有一个,正如你们蒙召同有一个指望;
5一主,一信,一洗,
6一神,就是众人的父,超乎众人之上,贯乎众人之中,也住在众人之内。
The Practice Of Peace
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." - Ephesians 4:3
The 20th century could be described as a desperate search for peace. World War I was called "the war to end all wars," but soon a second, bigger World War followed. In the 1960s flower children stuffed carnations into soldiers' gun barrels while protesting "peace, peace." In the 1970s youths gave up their militancy and sought peace in inner feelings. In the 1980s and '90s the cry was "peace through prosperity." Yuppies chased after peace by accumulating wealth and pursuing upward mobility. But now in the 21st century most people simply do not know where to look to find the peace they crave.
Only when the Holy Spirit comes into our lives will we discover true peace. The biblical term for peace is shalom, a greeting still used in the Middle East today. Shalom refers to a blessing that includes peace with God, personal happiness and flourishing, reconciled relationships, and harmony in society. And Jesus has made all this possible through his life, death, and resurrection for our sake.
The peace of the Spirit also opens our eyes to injustice and urges us to work against racism, police brutality, and the ravages of COVID-19. Just as fallen humans wage war with all of their ability and tenacity, Christians wage peace with similar vigor and strategy. When we live in the Spirit, we maintain our unity in Christ through the bond of peace that he bought for us.
Spirit of God, thank you for giving us your peace. Make us peacemakers in your world today for Jesus' sake. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
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