Sermons I've Been Waiting To Preach

A Better Day Ahead
By Richard Clark

It goes all the way back to year 1981. The United Nations General Assembly had proclaimed an International Day of Peace for the world community.

Not much happened after that.

Twenty years passed.

And then, thanks to the tireless effort of Jeremy Gilley, the General Assembly of 2001 declared September 21st an annual International Day of Peace with an invitation for all warring peoples to lay down their arms in observance of “Peace One Day” — which happens to be the name of Gilley’s revealing documentary.

Of course, no warring parties laid down their arms during the 24 hours of September 21. The fighting continued without a peaceful disturbance. The number of American dead in Iraq approached the number that had died in New York’s twin towers during 9/11.

So one day of peace?

I suppose most people think it’s an unrealistic expectation; it will never happen. But that’s not the point. The idea is there, and once we’re aware of it, we find it ineffaceable and impossible to forget. That ineradicable idea can be an annoyance—or an inspiration.

An annoyance. An inspiration. Which will it be for you, for me, for us?

Okay, a little group of peace enthusiasts—the Blaine Peace Alliance—in Blaine, Washington, decided to take action. They reserved their beautiful performing arts center, they took announcements to their local churches, they promoted the International Day of Peace in their local newspaper, and they procured a guest speaker. About 40 people attended the community’s inaugural remembrance of the Day of Peace.

There’s no point worrying about the low attendance; what’s more important is the learning that occurred. Dr. Eleanor Stebner, J.S. Woodsworth Chair in the Humanities at Simon Fraser University gave us a gleam of inspiration and hope. Much of the evening was devoted to a discussion of Blaine’s official city theme called “Promoting Peace.” (Blaine is often called The Peace Arch City, as you probably know by now. The Peace Arch has been standing on the USA-Canada border since 1921.)

Warring parties have never ceased fighting for One Day of Peace. So what may we Americans do? Plenty! We need to build a social infrastructure. Here are some examples for 2007; you may engage them in your life, your home and community—perhaps you won’t wish to wait for year 2007:

1. Watch no violent television programs during September 21.

2. Encourage your local television stations to display no violent shows on that day.

3. Play no violent video games during the International Day of Peace.

4. Don’t attend a violent movie at your local cinema during Peace Day.

5. If it’s going to be a day of prayer, try listening in lieu of telling God what to do.

6. Encourage your church to observe the Day of Peace.

7. Drive safely during September 21—you might save a life. Still better, don’t drive.

8. Breaking up? Delay divorce one day. Set apart September 21 to think it over.

9. Fulfill non-violent communication with action that speaks louder than words.

10. Don’t overprice your wares and services. Be honest and fair that day.

11. Be especially generous during the International Day of Peace.

12. Aim to become one of God’s children by acting upon the thought of Matthew 5:9.

13. Cease arguing and/or fighting within family circles during that day.

14. Be an effective preacher and/or parishioner. Avoid hypocrisy on September 21.

15. Set aside your murder mystery and read something more productive that day.

16. Give your body a break; don’t ingest alcohol or illegal drugs during Peace Day.

17. Give your body another break; avoid junk food during that day.

18. Visit your worst enemy on September 21; have a frank, problem-solving talk.

19. Give your neighbor’s ears a rest; don’t mow your lawn during Peace Day.

20. Take a long walk and think of twenty more ways to observe the Day of Peace.

In the name of peace, there are so many religions, denominations, sects, cults, societies, institutions, associations, clubs, ideologies, doctrines, dogmas, authorities, authors, specialists, gurus, charlatans, sharks, shysters, swindlers, pettifoggers, and racketeers in the world that it’s a wonder anyone can begin successfully to promote peace.

But that’s why I’ve listed twenty doable suggestions. Some of them may entail struggle, but all are simple and straightforward. Finally, here’s a radical idea: Just think what would happen if you or I decided to transform every day into one day of peace!

John Erskine said we have a moral obligation to be intelligent. I believe, too, that we have an intelligent obligation to be moral. Let’s oblige ourselves to be intelligent and moral while promoting peace as a personal priority and our common concern.

Organize a local group to plan creatively for September 21, 2007. Let’s go for it now!

Richard Clark served as pastor of the First Baptist Church at Pincher Creek, Alberta, 1955-1959. He converted to Anglicanism and became assistant curate at St. Stephen’s Church, Calgary, 1960. He served as founding parish priest with the newly established Church of the Holy Nativity in Calgary, 1961-1967.

©2006 Vigil for Peace. All Rights Reserved
www.vigil4peace.com

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