DAY 9: Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let It Begin with Me

​Everyone says they want “peace on earth.” But do they? Do we? I shudder as I ask myself, “Do I?” If I do, indeed want there to be peace in our world, then I need to start somewhere. I need to start with me.
 
In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven”.  We are called to create the peace we seek through praying for our enemies, loving even them! Not belittling them or continuing the cycle of hatred that inevitably leads to violence. In the opening of this “Sermon”, in the Beatitudes, Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.” That is the vocation of God’s children, to make peace. And we start by making peace within ourselves (often our greatest enemy).
 
Recently I came upon this powerfully moving poem by David Whyte, which I feel captures the challenge of beginning the peace making process within ourselves and gives a hopeful reminder that we can begin that work right now … where we are standing (or sitting) … this very moment. Within the ground we occupy. With the questions that inhabit our minds. In the voices we follow. Finding our voice singing in harmony with the Prince of Peace, so we can truly let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me!
 
START CLOSE IN - David Whyte

Start close in,
don’t take the second step
or the third,
start with the first
thing
close in,
the step
you don’t want to take.

Start with
the ground
you know,
the pale ground
beneath your feet,
your own
way to begin
the conversation.

Start with your own
question,
give up on other
people’s questions,
don’t let them
smother something
simple.

To hear
another’s voice,
follow
your own voice,
wait until
that voice
becomes an
intimate
private ear
that can 
then
really listen
to another.

Start right now
take a small step
you can call your own
don’t follow
someone else’s
heroics, be humble
and focused,
start close in,
don’t mistake
that other
for your own.

Start close in,
don’t take
the second step
or the third,
start with the first
thing
close in,
the step
you don’t want to take.