Sisters and brothers, just what is a peacemaker? What does it mean to be a peacemaker, especially in the face of today’s realities? What, if any, is unique to women peacemakers?
I pose these questions, conscious of the ever-present violence and war, especially these days in the Arab world where people are caught up in a deathly struggle for freedom and peace, and many are paying the ultimate price. At times as I watch at the suffering and death on screen, I feel helpless but I am also encouraged by those faces of our sisters and brother, old and young, Muslims and Christians, in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and beyond where there is still fire that flickers in the dark of night; where there’s still sounds of life amidst the thick smoke created by tear gas being thrown and bombs being dropped from the air to break the silence and quiet and the peace of women and men trying to survive, trying desperately to claim their fullness of life.
Indeed, how can we be peacemakers in today’s realities? One woman theologian once said that “Peacemakers are prophets. They are vital and in fact central to every operation” (Diann Neu). Prophets, as we know, are people who announce good news as well as denounce transgressions and violations! They are the ones who work to uproot all forms of violence…those who work to end war and conflict, those who seek justice…those who seek righteousness… for as the Scriptures say: The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever (Isaiah 32:17).
Righteousness for women I believe is just relationships. Peace is rooted in right relationships with all of creation and with the most marginalized and most impoverished people. It is more than the absence of war. It is the absence of will to dominate the other. It is the absence of violence against women and children. It is the absence of discrimination and prejudices. It is the absence of greed and selfishness. It is the absence of poverty and deprivation. It is the absence of political repression It is the absence of corruption and deception. It is preservation of the earth and the environment. It is respect for life and the integrity of all creation.
As women of faith and hope, committed to bringing about just realities, to bringing about the Shalom of God, we cannot be BUT peacemakers. As peacemakers, we gather and combine our efforts not to debate politics but to discuss and work for peace, not to create military strategies but to open our hearts to the spirit of mercy and justice and be part of the force that creates peace (Diann Neu).
We denounce evil and all forms of domination. And we dare announce good news, good news that might be bad news for others as we seek justice for all. We discern, pray and act with faith, with determination, with confidence. We act in wisdom. We are women. We are earth from which life continues to spring forth!
Today, we stand in this place with our sisters who have walked the path to freedom and carry the marks that demonstrate courage and solidarity. We draw strength from them, inspired by their passion and led by their vision. We dare to be trail-blazers and bridge-builders in this work for lasting peace. Together WE HAVE POWER. We draw power from our faith and conviction that together, we can vanquish the enemy of righteousness and peace.
We draw power from the memory of our ancestors, our foremothers and foresisters of long ago who laid out the path for us…On occasions like this, we honor them. Let us begin by remembering my two favorite women in the Old Testament: Vashti and Esther.
The story of the noble Queen Vashti is found in the same Book that bears the name of Esther. Vashti as we all know is the Queen who chose to defy her husband, the King, rather than compromise her dignity and integrity as a woman. She refused to allow herself, her beauty, to be used by her husband to entertain his guests (Esther 1:10-11).
She lost her crown as a result and was banished from the palace, but she kept her dignity, self-respect, and peace of mind and body. Let Vashti remind us that each one of us, have been created in the image and likeness of God. It is in this image and in this likeness that we derive our dignity and self-respect. To defile another human being is to defile that sacred image and likeness of the creator God. Vashti knew instinctively that there is value to honor and self-respect; and to allow herself to be displayed and lusted over to satisfy the sexual fantasies of the guests is to dishonor God Herself.
You and I know very well the plight of many of our sisters who are trapped in the sex industry and who fall prey to trafficking. These do not have the privilege and influence of Queen Vashti to say no. Instead they simply endure the humiliation. It’s no wonder that we honor Vashti today if only to remind us that there is still a spirit within every woman who struggles for freedom and self-respect that will never be compromised. May Vashti, our ancient sister, continue to be an inspiration and be truly a model queen for all times and seasons.
The other woman that I would like us to remember today is Rahab. She is known as our prostituted ancestor. Rahab was not an Israelite and therefore considered as stranger in a foreign land. Her house was on the outer side of the city wall and she resided within the wall itself. Two men Israelites arrived at her place and stayed with her during the night. When the king of Jericho learned about the men’ presence and motive, he sent an order for Rahab to bring them out. But Rahab hid the men and helped them escape.
Before the men left, Rahab made a pact with them: She said to them: “…Your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below. Now then, since I have dealt kindly with you, swear to me by your God that you in turn will deal kindly with my family. Give me a sign of good faith that you will spare my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” The men said to her, “Our life for yours! If you do not tell this business of ours, then we will deal kindly and faithfully with you when God gives us the land.” Then she let them down by a rope through the window.
Again, this is a story of how a woman dealt with a crisis, a crisis that came suddenly in the night. She is another example of a woman who did not hesitate to save the spies (not her own people) for she believed in their God and in their cause. Because of her wit, confidence and faith she saved the spies and let them live so they can continue their mission. In return, she was able to save her family and people from destruction.
These women we have called to mind indeed all played an instrumental role in the story of salvation. They were peacemakers in their own right.
One lesson to be learned in the stories of these women: even the tiny can generate enough power to topple the mighty. And this is also echoed by Ms. Heidi Mendoza who is courageously exposing the corruption in the armed forces of the Philippines. In a public letter, she said: “The recent events have shown me that the truth is unveiled not in the brilliant minds of men/women but only in the hearts of women/men burning with Love and Faith.”
We do not forget Lola Rosa Henson, who was the first Filipina to tell the world of her story as a comfort woman for the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. By sharing her story, she emboldened hundreds of women not only in the Philippines but in other places in Asia to come out and expose these war time atrocities done by the Japanese.
We also remember those who had courageously spoken up against the sexual abuses in our churches, and those who continue to do so. And our sisters in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Libya and in other places who are now at the forefront. In the face of adversity and oppression, they are all standing together to topple the unjust rule of corrupt dictators.
You and I can name many more women who had risked their lives, had died, whose bodies were abused and tortured for the sake of peace by way of justice. Today perhaps, more than ever, each one of us is called to be peacemakers. But we all know that it would take courage. It would take coming together in solidarity.
Together, no matter how small we are and how few, we can generate enough courage and strength. As I say oftentimes, we have to do what we have to do to drive out a powerful enemy. Size does not matter. More important is persistence and determination, and when it calls for it, even sacrifice of one’s own life. May we find inspiration from these words in the New Testament:
“Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Mat 17:20).
Yes, let us not underestimate the power of faith and the power of solidarity. We women can do it because we have seen how our foresisters and foremothers, our sisters, living and dead, did it and continue to do so. Together we shall be signs of hope, actively promoting the preservation of life, justice, peace and reconciliation among peoples and nations.
These wars and strife will have to end fast. This destruction of the earth and environment must stop now. Let us make alive that vision for the Philippines, a vision for a world where righteousness and peace reign.…a government that is free from corruption and deception….a world where there is mutuality in relationships and equal access to resources….and all are able to live that well-being, the SHALOM that we long for. Jesus said: I come that all may have life and that all may have it in abundance (John 10:10).
Inspired and guided by Jesus the Christ, let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding (Romans 14:19). May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance (Jude 1:2).
– Sister Leonila Bermisa, MM
