If You Want Peace, Work for Justice

In preparing for my upcoming sermon for the last Sunday in Advent,  I came across the 1972 address of Pope Paul VI given on the World Day for Peace. You may have heard the phrase, “If you want peace, work for justice”; the phrase was coined in this speech. Particularly on the Sunday during which … READ MORE…

I Pledge Allegiance to the Earth

At this time of reflecting on what it means to be a steward of the earth’s resources – I came upon this beautiful, visionary pledge, created back in 1966 , by the Women’s Environmental and Development organization: “I pledge allegiance to the Earthand to the flora (plants), fauna (animals) and human lifethat it supports, one planet, indivisible, … READ MORE…

Interactions for Peace

The Cathedral is celebrating The Annual International Day of Peace by featuring three events. In addition to showing a beautiful an Academy Award nominated film Tangerines, Saturday, Sept. 19, the other two events will feature Ms. Eden Steele from the Interactions for Peace in the forum on Sunday, Sept. 20 and a follow-up workshop on October 3rd. … READ MORE…

How are Christians to relate to Government?

Anita Wucinic-Turner continues her reflections on peace and justice Until the crisis of Naziism struck into the heart of Protestant theological scholarship there was little question about the centrality of Romans 13: 1-7 as the foundation of a Christian doctrine of state. Christians were to obey their rulers not only because they fear state sanctions but because they support its function of … READ MORE…

The Politics of Jesus

Anita Wucinic-Turner writes, This question of how Christians are to relate to world power and government are an extension of my previous 2 blog submissions re: people of faith.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer certainly wrestled with these crucial issues, as does every generation. Most of us have been misled into believing that as responsible citizens, and Christians, whatever government, or world “powers” asks of us, is … READ MORE…

The Original Mother’s Day Proclamation

Anita Wucinic-Turner points out that Julia Ward Howe’s Proclamation inaugurating Mother’s Day was originally intended as a statement against war: Over and over again, particular women have declared the cause of peace in the public square, Julia Ward Howe [among them].  In 1870, in the wake of the Civil War, she wrote the proclamation which would … READ MORE…

A thousand cranes (updated)

I took this picture of origami cranes that were twisted into the rope around the memorial marker at Manzanar, the site of one of the internment camps where Japanese Americans were imprisoned during World War 2. In the background, you can see the sheer cliffs of the eastern Sierra Nevada rising up to 14,000 feet … READ MORE…