Paving a path to peace
By Jane Morrow
Currently, our world observes an "International Day of Peace" that encourages 24 hours of non-violence and a cease-fire on September 21 — one day every year.
That’s just twenty-four hours.
Jesus calls us to live out peace throughout our entire lives, not just one day here and there. In the Sermon on the Mount, he encourages his disciples to prioritize the pursuit of God’s righteousness and peace. As the disciples follow Jesus’ call, God’s kingdom begins to take shape around them.
Through his teachings, he envisions a world in which people transcend their selfish desires and prejudices. In that world, conflict, exploitation and violence are a shocking and rare occurrence; environmental stewardship, cultural diversity and universal well-being are sacrosanct; and poverty is a thing of the past.
Peace is not an abstract ideal but a living force capable of healing wounds, forging connections and transcending boundaries.
"Un-peace" creates anguish, war and suffering. It is a product of greed, jealousy and a lust for power. The Doctrine of Discovery provides an example of centuries of exploitation that has left unending anguish, war and suffering in its path.
The Doctrine of Discovery originated with papal bulls that authorized various European powers to conquer the lands of non-Christians. In 1452, Pope Nicholas V issued the bull Dum Diversas, which authorized King Afonso V of Portugal to "subjugate the Saracens and pagans and any other unbelievers and enemies of Christ," and "reduce their persons to perpetual servitude." King Afonso V was given the right to take their belongings, including their land, as his own, for his own use and the use of any future kings of Portugal.
This "permission" eventually became an international law that was enforcible throughout the world, including Africa, Latin America and North America.
But that was then. And this is now.
In this issue of Beyond, we have included stories from our work across these three continents, to exemplify how the Doctrine of Discovery continues to exploit and subjugate. Poverty, violence, addiction, suffering, land grabs and environmental disasters — these are the outcomes of this "international law."
When the people of God take seriously Jesus’ call to live lives of peace, there is hope, even in the midst of exploitation. The following stories also bear witness to how this hope is flourishing, through the support and peacebuilding efforts of Mission Network workers and partners across the street and around the world.