Walk the Path of Peace

Peace Pilgrim

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased.”

Luke 2:14, Revised Standard Version

I'll be honest with you, I hadn't paid attention to the last five words of the scripture above—“with whom he is pleased.” I had always thought of it as “peace on earth good will toward men” (aka: humankind) And here I was thinking the old testament God was diversifying! That he was having a moment of magnanimous compassion for his human creation—but apparently, only the ones who please him. Okay, back to square one. Bring on the hail and brimstone, cue the earthquakes, and flocks of locusts.

I like the words of Peace Pilgrim, that lady who, in the 1950's walked the Appalachian Trail in one season, and was then inspired to walk from one end of the country to the other, preaching peace to anyone who would listen. Her message: “When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others. This it the way of peace: overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.” Nothing fancy there—she was not a prophet standing on the mountaintop shouting threats at the world. She was not heralded by an angel chorus. She just spoke peace, and was willing, and indeed, called, to spend her retirement years marching around the country in a blue tunic that said “Peace Pilgrim” on it, speaking about nothing but love and peace.

Peace Pilgrim had a great deal of confidence in us as a species, believing that our best was yet to be revealed. She said, “Humanity has only scratched the surface of it's real potential.” I hope she's right. In 1953, it seemed that way to some folks, though perhaps not if you were dark-skinned or native American. Progress is slow, and selective—and we still wait for the last to be first and the first last. All that aside—I'm not sure God is the “decider” of war and peace—that would be up to his renegade creation. Let's stand with Peace Pilgrim in believing that we may have a way to go, but our best is yet to come. If it please God, that is. Fingers crossed. In the meantime, find some peace within yourself. My money's on her!

                                                             In the Spirit,

                                                                 Jane