‘How happy are you?’ 

The Beatitudes were the focus for National Youth Sunday 2014 celebrated by the Catholic Church in England and Wales on the Feast of Christ the King, Sunday 23 November 2014. Below is a reflection by Matt, our education officer, reflecting on one of the beatitudes, be peaceful…

 

Be peaceful – everybody is a child of God

At first glance this seems a simple enough. An encouragement to look after your spiritual and emotional wellbeing, to live kindly, to avoid doing harm to those we share our lives with, and to keep space for God.

But it is in the second part of this deceptively simple statement where the real challenge lies. For as we remember that we are all are children of God we are also reminded that peace is relational. We are pressed to ask ourselves, how does my peace affect others? And reflecting on this question will surely stir us to action.

If international security depends on dominating other nations, the murderous threat of nuclear weapons, or the bombing of enemies; what kind of peace is this?

If national security means closing the door to the stranger, suspicion of neighbour, or the compromising of basic human rights; what kind of peace is this?

If economic security means cheap food, clothes, and technology because our brothers and sisters work in terrible conditions for little money; if it means affluent nations growing ever richer off the back of the arms trade, or the poor relying on food parcels and charity; what kind of peace is this?

And if personal peace means closing our hearts to those who live day-to-day with violence and the fear of violence what kind of peace is this?

Jesus not only tells us to be peaceful but he also shows us how. By turning the other cheek, by loving our neighbour and our enemies, by forgiving one another, and by putting down our swords we have a blueprint for the life of the Christian peacemaker. A life that challenges injustice whilst also rejecting violence, a life that stands up for the poor and the oppressed, a life committed to creative and nonviolent resolution to conflict, and a life that recognises ever human person as a precious child of God.

Be peaceful – everybody is a child of God.

Dear friends,

 

Today marks the beginning of a month of prayer and fasting for peace. Join us to fast and pray for one or more 24-hour period between now and 7 October. Call to prayer and fasting

We know some schools holding a week of prayer and fasting 22 – 26 September – linking with UN International Day of Peace on 21 September. Why not join them and make that week one of particular prayer for peace in our troubled world.

 

We are taking booking for school workshops this term. The diary is filling up so book now to avoid disappointment. About our workshops

 

We have a growing number of First World War peace education resources on our website 

New resources recently published and well worth a look include Conscience (Primary School) and Conviction (Secondary School) from our friends at the Quakers.

The Martin Luther King Peace Committee at Newcastle and Northumbria universities have published teaching and liturgy resources which commemorate and reflect upon the truces which occurred on the Western Front during Christmas 1914. These resources are particularly useful in December and for Advent liturgies.

 

The Peace Education Network is hosting an event in London on Thursday 13 November (Friends House, Euston, 5pm-7pm) to explore experiences of the military in education. We are inviting people involved in schools to join us in exploring the problems and the benefits of military involvement in our schools. Contact me for more information or if you would like to be involved in this conversation. education@paxchristi.org.uk

 

You – or your school – can now become a member of Pax Christi online. By joining Pax Christi you become part of a worldwide movement for peace.

 

Schools Outreach Day, Tuesday 11 November, Manchester Friends Meeting House
Following our successful London workshop last November, we are organising another Schools Outreach Day to support members who want to engage with local schools and young people. This will be in collaboration with Quaker Peace and Social Witness and supported by Northern Friends Peace Board. For more information or to book a place contact me. education@paxchristi.org.uk

 

There are various key events in the peace diary these coming weeks:

21 September: UN International Day of Peace
21 – 27 September: World Week of Prayer for Peace in Palestine and Israel
4 – 11 October: Drones Week of Action
11 October: Peace History Conference, Imperial War Museum, London 

 

With every good wish for the new academic year.

In peace

Matt Jeziorski
Schools and Youth Outreach Worker