September 6, 2020
Congregations of many denominations extend the peace of Christ with a blessing during their service. “The peace of Christ be with you (and also with you).” It is a blessing offered and a blessing returned in kind. The peace of Christ is part of what our faith offers to us. Extending the peace of Christ is part of an active, engaged faith — a witness to what it means for us to be building the household of God.
In God’s house, there are people of every background. In God’s house, there are people of every race, age and gender. In God’s house, people who are different from each other in almost every way live together and seek ways to bring about Christ’s peace in every part of our lives. We speak out and claim the truth in Second Thessalonians, “May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways.” In our church gatherings, we practice offering Christ’s peace, trusting that the blessing offered will also be returned.
It’s easy to see peacemaking in the world as some distant impossibility, too vast and unrealistic to ever engage in effectively as individuals. It’s also easy to forget that there is peacemaking work to be done here at home, in our own lives. A Season of Peace is meant to help us remember that engaging with our own internal conflicts, building healthy relationships with each other, grappling with issues of justice in our communities, and re-imagining international relations are crucially interconnected steps on the path of peacemaking.
Daily reflections during A Season of Peace are designed to help participants explore practices for building peace on every scale. From the personal level to global issues, these reflections and prayers will help grow the faith and witness of the whole church. Throughout the 29 days of the 2020 Season of Peace, we are invited to reflect upon peace within, peace in relationships, peace in community, peace in the world and holistic peacemaking.
A Season of Peace begins Sept. 6 and culminates on Oct. 4, World Communion Sunday, when the Peace & Global Witness Offering is received.
We are the church, together. We are peacemakers, together. We are the builders of God’s household of peace. And when, together, we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.
Bryce Wiebe, Director of Special Offerings, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, September 6, 2020, the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Today’s Focus: A Season of Peace
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Bill McConnell, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Terri McCurdy, Presbyterian Foundation
Let us pray:
Gracious God, keep us from being ordinary. Sharpen our vision through the eyes of Christ, that we might practice your peace, at all times, and in all ways. Amen.