To Gentler Places

Psalm 122

I rejoiced when I heard them announce,
“The time of warfare is past.
No more will brother hate brother
or violence have its way.
No more will they drown out God’s silence
and shut their hearts to his song.”

Pray for peace in the cities
and harmony among the races.
May peace come to live on our streets
and justice within our walls.
With all my heart I will pray
that peace comes to live among us.
For the sake of all earth’s people,
I will do my utmost for peace.
Source: The Psalms (translated by Stephen Mitchell)

In times like these, the words of this Psalm speak to us directly and personally. In the midst of violence, we hear words of hope. In the midst of racism, we hear words of reconciliation. In the midst of terrorist acts, we hear words of comfort. In the midst of chaos, we hear words calling us to make peace and justice.

With these words from the Psalmist, we become brother and sister, joined inseparably with the mission of seeking a more hospitable world. We long for days of peace. We yearn for love among humanity. We set our hearts on building a world of compassion. We hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Thanks be to God for comforting words that move us to gentler places.