"For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." - An Advent Reflection
Rev'd Emma Ackland, Bishop Mary's Chaplain, reflects on Peace to mark the Second Sunday of Advent.
The word ‘Peace’ was used all around me as a teenager in Belfast before the Good Friday agreement and during a time which is colloquially called ‘the troubles’. Peace seemed as unlikely in Northern Ireland then as it does in other parts of our world now. A break from violence and war can seem like an impossibility, as can trying to uncover a sense of peace in our own lives and hearts.
Recently, the proposed ceasefire in the Middle East serves as a fragile reminder of the potential for peace even amidst the deepest conflict. It shows that peace might just be possible when people are willing to seek understanding, though it remains a work in progress.
"For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." (1 Corinthians 14:33) this verse speaks to the heart of Advent, a season that calls us to stillness and reflection. Peace, as described in this verse, is not the absence of conflict but the presence of God’s order, where reconciliation, unity, and understanding reign. This peace calls us to embrace harmony in our relationships with one another and with God.
One of the most personal experiences I have of such peace comes from living through the Northern Irish peace process. For decades, communities were torn apart by murder and sectarianism leaving deep scars. But it was the work of committed individuals whose dedication to listening and understanding which silenced the violence eventually. At the centre of this work was Mo Mowlam, a woman so often overlooked. Mowlam was pivotal in fostering dialogue between conflicting sides. Mowlam's willingness to serve the people by putting mutual understanding and respect at the centre of talks, were instrumental in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Her selfless work showed that peace is not about erasing differences but about holding space for them and seeking reconciliation with love and respect.
We know that Jesus offers a profound gift: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14; 27). But this peace is not passive; it requires action on our part to heal divisions and to build bridges between people. It is a peace that asks us to confront our fears, to recognise and challenge the divisions that separate us, and to trust in the presence of God’s love in our lives.
Maya Angelou’s poem, "Let There Be Peace on Earth," echoes the same sentiment. "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me." Angelou reminds us that the pursuit of peace starts within each of us. Angelou calls for us to carry this peace outwards into the world.
This Advent, in a world that so desperately needs it, let us seek the peace that Christ offers and intentionally bring that peace into the world, one act of ‘Mowlam’ at a time.