20 Aug Mission of Peace

MISSION OF PEACE

“A time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:8)

The poetic nature of Ecclesiastes 3 could easily deceive us into ignoring the severity of some of the topics listed. A time to kill and a time to heal. Wait, what? A time for war and a time for peace? Hang on a minute! Some serious reflection is needed here: a time to kill and a time for war? How could anyone ever suggest that there is a time for war? Surely it is ideal to live in a world where there is no time for these horrific ordeals, but Qohelet – the author of this book – prescribes this series of difficult dichotomies in poetic form. This is quite ironic and perhaps deliberate. So what does Qohelet mean by this?

Ecclesiastes is, among other designations, a book of ironies. It speaks to the contradictions that life continues to dish up/out and offers commentary on the uselessness, meaninglessness, vanity, and ambiguity of it all. Qohelet’s tone, therefore, is one of scepticism and doubt. In this light, we need to reconsider the words of Qohelet in Chapter 3 in the light of his own scepticism.

The spirit behind Chapter 3 reflects an acknowledgement that life is cyclical. Nature itself follows this pattern. The sun rises, and the sun sets. Intriguingly, in my Samoan culture, nature’s patterns are observed wittingly as nature discerns wisdom for Samoans. One particular pattern is that of cyclones where Samoans say, “E sosoo maninoa ma afa, e sosoo foi afa ma maninoa.” (After the calm, there comes a storm, but after the storm, there comes calm). The interesting thing in this proverb is that

Samoans expect a storm to happen. It is not something that is sudden because when it happens, Samoans know that it is part of life, it is part of nature’s cycle. In a similar notion, Qohelet may be expecting something similar. That perhaps after peace, one can expect hostility. This provides an interesting and rather radical point of reflection. But let us think for a second, is hostility, like peace, not a part of life? While we are shocked when turmoil and terror occur, is there not some expectation within us that things like this do happen? I am reminded of the words of another biblical sceptic, Job, here: “Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?” (Job 2:10) Life, as we have come to expect, will not just dish up good, but it can also give us a plate full of bad. But herein lies the message of hope: just like the maninoa (calm) that comes after the storm, we can also expect maninoa (peace) after the war. But maninoa is a word that also speaks to the open space of the skies. For Samoans, maninoa is, therefore, a space for learning and discernment. If the wisdom writers, as well as Samoans (and Pasifika people), can perceive wisdom and hope from the environment, might we also look to the earth, air, and ocean for inspiration?

This must be our mission: A mission of peace, a mission of maninoa! To embrace the cyclical patterns of nature as a reminder of the peace that follows pain and suffering. It’s not easy to get over the pain, and when war comes around, whichever form it manifests, it is not easy to overcome the terror. But as Qohelet reminds us that when we are at war, that is the time for war, but also know that there is a time for peace to follow, a time for maninoa to emerge after the storm.

prayer

God of peace, help us when we are in times of war and hostility. Give us strength to endure the terror and grant us comfort to bear the pain. Open our hearts to seek wisdom in your creation, to remind us that beyond the war comes the maninoa (space) for us to channel your maninoa (peace). In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen!

for further thought

What are some lessons that you learn from your local culture that teaches you about peace?

Brian Fiu Kolia

Malua Theological College, SAMOA