from the Reverend Fran Rhys, Toll Gavel Church, Beverley
According to the Imperial War Museum, the number of lives lost to war during the 20th Century has been estimated at 187 million and is probably higher. We go on manufacturing and selling weapons as big business, which contributes to how conflict can escalate into a murderous business.
Horrific violence has now started again in Israel / Palestine. Even though this current violence was triggered by the Gazan leaders, we need to keep balanced in our minds the needs and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.
The former principal of a theological college, Rev Dr David Hewlett, with whom I trained for ministry in Birmingham, wrote in The Methodist Recorder newspaper on 28 Jan, 2018 an article about war, asking, ‘Are we able to remember the full cost of war – the carnage faced by all combatants, the execution [or imprisonment] of deserters or the vilification of pacifists? Can we remember not only courage and fidelity but the darker side of uncritical service, or ‘winning’ at any cost, or manufacturing hatred by propaganda and xenophobia [hatred or fear of foreigners or strangers or of their politics or culture]?”
One of the most distinctive characteristics of Christ’s teaching is found in the Sermon on the Mount, where he says: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Gospel of Matthew 5:43-44). As we espouse these words, we claim that with God’s help and grace, we should make all possible efforts to resolve any kind of conflict by peaceful means.
Blessings,
Rev Fran Rhys
Toll Gavel United Church where faith, people and justice matter 