Psalm 145, 1-3
Something to read
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
To read the King James Version, click here
Something to think about
Today the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in Kingston, Jamaica gets underway. It celebrates 10 years of grassroots initiatives and work by the World Council of Churches throughout the Decade to Overcome Violence.
Today is the day when the 1,000 delegates, all members of local church or community initiatives engaged in the work of conflict transformation and peace building are focusing on brining just peace to their communities.
The motto for the convocation is ‘Glory to God and Peace on Earth’ and the opening of the Psalm today reminds us so clearly that peace and justice grow out of praise, praise as a daily activity, praise as a ceaseless activity.
Praise is world changing, praise can bring peace and justice; praise can lead to the laying down of weapons and the distribution of wealth in just and equitable ways. The philosopher Martin Heidegger, in his reflections on the roots of language noted once that the English word ‘to think’ has the same root as the word ‘to thank’.
Our thinking is also thanking, our thoughts and actions for peace and justice are rooted in thanks and praise for all that is just and all that brings peace.
And when peace and just come to comes, we find ourselves in the presence of unfathomable greatness, such as those delegates in Jamaica are experiencing today as they listen to stories from around the world of peace being brought to communities torn apart by violence.
Something to do
Have a look at the Website for the IEPC: www.overcomingviolence.org/en/peace-convocation.html. Consider what you might praise God for today for that has brought peace in your community.
Something to pray
Let me praise you even as I learn to live justly.
Let me praise you with every breath as I remember those who have work to bring peace to my community, peace of mind, peace of body, peace of spirit, who work to make sure that there is enough for everyone’s need in my neighbourhood, but not for everyone’s greed.
Let me praise you for the clearing of rubbish and feeding of those who are frail and sick, let me praise you for the ground where young people play football and the neighbours who greet me with a smile.
Today's contributor is Alison Swinfen, a member of the Iona Community