“God will settle disputes for many people.
Sword will be beaten into plowshares, spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.“
So read the Old Testament prophecy that I read for you earlier. A prophecy telling us about the Kingdom of God.
With the current state of our world in mind, it is evident that the Kingdom of God is not fully realized among us yet. Something is indeed missing.
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” As the New Testament Reading states. But obvious God’s complete plan with creation is incomplete as of the time being.
At least we are not in a time of peace, but in a time of warlike conditions. We are waiting. Waiting for the Kingdom. And as threats currently grow bigger, and as allies find it hard to work together, the waiting seems both darker and less full of hope.
Because of this, I want to talk about just this today: Peace and the light in our darkness.
In these days my warmest thoughts go to the people of Greenland. It must be terrifying living in a place suddenly disputed.
Many territories are disputed. Many people are suffering under living conditions in such places. But as Greenland is disputed among allies, the situation is all different. Almost surreal.
We are thought to love our enemy. This is a challenge. But if we cannot even trust in the love of our allies, is love even an option for us?
Or is it false? Misplaced trust. Are we only left with doubt. Doubt and the gloom it creates.
It seems so. I cannot help but think that the only reason Greenland is of such interest to people is that people do not trust each other. Yes, even friends do not trust friends.
Why else would a friend question another friend and not just be happy for the benefit something brings one’s friend – even oneself if the bond of friendship is tight with trust.
At least so it ought to be. But trust is gone. Fear is looming in its stead. Fear seems to be what has brought us to the threshold of what could turn out to be a third world war.
‘Fear not’. It is two words that is repeated over and over again in the Bible. And for a very good reason: As with our current world state, fear is what brings darkness.
Because of that, fear is what God delt with as God came to earth as Jesus Christ to bring us light, bring us salvation.
In today’s Gospel Reading we are told how the proper seeding of the Gospel will bring forth a hundred folds of joy.
With the current fear of the world, we witness how the opposite is true as well: Fear only brings forth new fear if it is not dealt with accordingly. Fear brings forth a hundred folds of darkness if it is allowed to get good roots.
How do we then suffocate fear and nourish hope? This should be the question all people not overthrown by fear should try to answer.
God will of course never be overthrown by fear meaning that we will always have an eternal enlightening source of hope. But I am pleased to see that we, despite the growing fear, also in these dark times witness how hope is growing.
For the part of Greenland, many of us were probably pleased to see how many threats were withdrawn. Not that the dispute is settled, but in leu of threats, diplomatic conversations are taking place. That for sure is a step in the right direction.
We pray that all the people taking part in these conversations will receive your guidance, oh Lord, and that you will be with all of us as we await.
Another promising and inspiring case of light is how Maria Corina Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize last year. Something she received:
“For her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”
A just and peaceful transition. That is what we need and what we pray for. Far too often we have witnessed how enforced transitions never turn out for the better.
We pray for the people of Venezuela and for peace and justice. In their country and throughout the world.
Those were two present examples of light. I hope that we forever in our darkness may find strength in the Bible and in Christ. I hope we now – more than ever – will hear the words – fear not – and let it resound in our body.
Darkness is surrounding us, yet a heavenly light overshines the darkness. Maybe not every day as we live. But in a time to come. A time to come that we can lean upon in our current darkness.
Because it is promised to us. And not by friend, nor by foe. Not by any earthly being that can be overcome by fear as we.
No. It is promised to us by the creator of all, the savior of all, the God of all.
‘Fear not’. A time will come where:
“God will settle disputes for many people.
Sword will be beaten into plowshares, spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.“
Amen.