Last week was Holy Week that culminated with Easter, the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. In the gospel of John, the resurrected Jesus’ first words to his disciples on Easter evening are “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19) During this time when our country is at war, there are contrasting views of how to pursue peace even among those who identify as followers of Jesus.
During Holy Week, the President of the United States and the Pope provided vivid examples of this contrast. The President’s way to peace was to threaten to bomb all the bridges and power plants in Iran. He proclaimed that this would destroy their entire civilization but claimed that the people of Iran who oppose the current regime would accept such massive suffering. On Easter the President released a profanity laced message that ended with the threat to unleash “Hell” on Iran. The first video posted below shows the President making these threats.
By contrast, the Pope emphasized the need for dialogue and to never become accustomed to the suffering of innocent people that comes with war. Here is a brief excerpt from his Easter message, “Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash war choose peace. Not a peace imposed by force but through dialogue. Not with a desire to dominate others but to encounter them.” The second and third videos posted below feature remarks by the Pope during Holy Week and Easter.
Both of these world leaders call themselves Christians. Which one of their ways of pursuing peace is consistent with the Way of Jesus? The life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus consistently demonstrate the power of nonviolent, inclusive, self-sacrificial love. Jesus calls his followers not just to believe in him but to also embody his Way in the world. In this past week, the President and the Pope provided both a stark contrast and a stark choice for any of us who identify as followers of Jesus. It is time to choose.