PIERCE CROCKETT WRITINGS ON CHRISTIAN PEACEMAKING

Pierce Crockett is a CPA who lives and works in Champaign, Illinois with his wife and four children. He recently moved to Champaign from Memphis, Tennessee, where he has been very involved in church ministries, including serving as the Peace & Justice ministry coordinator and actively participating in the Prison Ministry.

In 1996, Pierce's life was transformed by a videotape workshop on Christian Nonviolence presented by Father Emmanuel Charles McCarthy. Not only did it enable him to grasp the Truth of Nonviolence, but also compelled Pierce to actively work to spread the Word regarding this Truth. The following essays and short story are his attempt, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to apply this Truth to everyday living and to answer the numerous questions that arise when discussing these applications.

If you would like to contact Pierce regarding these writings, please email him at crocketthome@aol.com.

Would Jesus Bomb Iraq?
by Pierce Crockett

On December 16, 1998, the United States initiated a bombing campaign on Iraq with the objective to eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and destroy their capability to produce these weapons. Although the timing was questioned, it was largely a popular thing to do.

As Christians, we are asked to consider whether the actions of our country are consistent with the Gospel teachings of Jesus. If they are consistent, then we have no problem with supporting the military action. But if they are not, we are required by our faithfulness to Christ's teachings to oppose any such action.

For us to make this determination, we must look to the Gospels, find similar circumstances, and observe how Jesus reacted under those circumstances. In our situation, Iraq has the capability to deploy and use weapons of mass destruction against us. In other words, Iraq can directly threaten our lives. Therefore, the parallel we are looking for is a situation in which Jesus' life was threatened.

Jesus' arrest in the garden of Gethsemani provides that setting. According to the Gospel, Jesus and his Apostles are praying in the garden and are approached by Judas and "a great crowd carrying swords and clubs." Although we can safely assume that Jesus knew the end of his life was approaching, we can also feel certain that the Apostles saw this crowd as a direct threat to their lives as well. Here exists the same choice that the U.S. has with Iraq. Can one choose to use violence to resolve a situation and still remain faithful to the teaching of Jesus? We are given a very clear response in the Gospel. One of the followers of Jesus decides that violence is appropriate, draws his sword, and cuts off the ear of the high priest's servant. At this point Jesus could have said nothing, supported the action of his follower, and attempted to escape with his life. But how does Jesus respond? Jesus responds in two ways. The first response is a command followed by an admonition. He says, "Put back your sword where it belongs. Those who use the sword are sooner or later destroyed by it" (Matthew 26:52). His second response is even more profound. The Gospel says that "he touched the ear and healed the man" (Luke 22:51). Jesus not only warns against the use of violence, but he also demonstrates nonviolent love by healing his enemy. Jesus' response is clear and consistent with his teaching to nonviolently love the enemy. We cannot use violence as a means to resolve threatening situations.

In reaching this conclusion, we can understand that the bombing of Iraq is completely inconsistent with the teaching of Christ. As Christians who strive to remain faithful to that teaching, we must take some action. The best and most obvious action is the imitation of Jesus and His example of healing. We may do this by praying for the safety and healing of the Iraqi people. We may do this by directly appealing to our government to cease from any future bombing operations and to seek nonviolent means for resolving problems in the Middle East. We may do this by urging the United Nations to lift the sanctions which do nothing but starve and kill Iraqi men, women, and children. Whatever we choose to do, we must remember that we, the United States and Iraq, are all children of God and are all loved by Him. God's will for us is not to destroy each other, but to love each other as His Son loved us. Only when we confront our differences in the spirit of Christ's love will we ever attain true peace and security in our world. And only then will we inherit the kingdom which God has prepared for His faithful.

Why Should We Participate?
by Pierce Crockett

Why should I participate? This is a question we ask ourselves every time we are presented the opportunity to be involved in a church activity. We weigh the pros and the cons, check our busy schedules, and then find a ministry that best suits us. However, do we realize that our participation is not as much a choice as a mandate from Jesus Christ?

In the Gospel of Matthew, in describing for us how we will be dealt with at the Last Judgment, Jesus shows us what is expected:

-- (Matthew 25:35-36,40)

The parish social ministries of Holy Spirit provide us with numerous opportunities to do one or more of the above. If you would like to feed the hungry or thirsty, there is the Holy Names food pantry or soup kitchen, or there is the Angel Food ministry which provides meals for people when they need a little extra help. For those in a welcoming mood, there is the Newcomers ministry, the Transportation ministry, the ministry for Persons with Disabilities, and the Hispanic ministry. Habitat for Humanity provides one with the opportunity to "clothe the naked" by providing affordable shelter for those who need it. There are many opportunities for comforting the ill. There is the Care ministry, Bereavement ministry, Health ministry, the Haiti medical mission, Ministry to the Sick, and the Holy Names Health Ministry. And finally, those who would like to visit the imprisoned can participate in the Prison ministry. If you are interested in any of the above ministries, you can get more information by contacting Betty Wallin at the Parish Social Ministry office.

In the Gospel, Jesus is not asking us to change the world, He is only asking us to make a change in our hearts by giving our time and talents to others. He is again asking us to love each other as He loves us. If we do this, we will earn eternal life with Him. If we don't, the Gospel is clear on the consequences: "These will go off to eternal punishment" (Matthew 25:46). Instead of asking why we should participate, maybe we should focus on why we would not.

For Part 2 of Crockett's writings in three parts, click here.
For Part 3 of Crockett's writings in three parts, click here.