Bring near the day when wars shall cease

Bring near the day when wars shall cease

My instinct is that, following the momentous events of the past week, the world has moved a little closer to the day when wars shall cease. But I have to say straight away that I’m not the most politically astute person around, and on the whole, don’t get particularly interested in the realm of politics. So I could be being swayed heavily by one of the most inspiring speakers I’ve heard in a long time. Nevertheless, my instinct says we’ve made a move towards peace.

But, even if Barack Obama does try to lead the USA on a more peaceful path, and we in the UK continue to tread the same path, it’s still only one side trying to move along that route. We need to pray that those we’re still fighting in the world will join us on the more peaceful path. So much progress has been made in recent years; it does give cause to truly hope for even more.

If we can do something to reduce the huge economic costs of war and defence, then maybe we’ll be in a better position to bring about the end of poverty and pain too. War does much to increase poverty and pain; maybe ending it will do as much to reduce them.

Over the next few days (Remembrance Sunday tomorrow and Remembrance Day on Tuesday) we do so much to remember those who have fallen in times of conflict. Let us also remember what it was they were ultimately fighting for — peace. And let us, each and everyone of us, recommit ourselves to achieving that goal — let us continue to strive for peace in our world.

God, our refuge and strength,
bring near the day when wars shall cease
and poverty and pain shall end,
that earth may know the peace of heaven
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Additional Collect for The Third Sunday before Advent
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

Barack to the Future

Barack to the Future

ASBO Jesus does it again. The wave of optimism sweeping the internet following yesterday’s momentous events in the USA have been summed up perfectly in Jon’s latest cartoon.

Along with many many other people, I think something good happened in the world yesterday. I hope and pray that Barack Obama will not be bowed by the weight of expectation being heaped upon his shoulders, but will stand tall, and proud, and do the right thing by the world. Can he? Yes we can!

*cartoon used in accordance with ASBO Jesus policy. Do, please, take a few minutes to visit the site; I’m sure you’ll be as entranced by Jon’s work as I am.

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Updated to add a video of Barack Obama’s victory speech — added to YouTube by the Office of the President Elect (change.gov).