“INSPIRING MORE PEOPLE TO MAKE PEACE POSSIBLE”

“INSPIRING MORE PEOPLE TO MAKE PEACE POSSIBLE”

A Theological Reflection Paper on the MPI 2017 Annual Peacebuilding Training

Rev. Jeric C. Cortado, July 15, 2017

My experience during the 2017 Annual Peacebuilding Training of the Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute held last May 2017 at Davao City, Philippines, refreshed me to some provisions of the United Methodist Church Social Principles and help me to re-affirm my commitment of living out this principles that “we stand for justice and peace in every nation” (¶165, letter A); “we will promote restorative justice strategies to support positive social change and peace building….and urges Christians in every society to encourage the governments under which they live ….to aid and work for the development of more just and economic orders” (¶ 165, letter B); and “we are called to love our enemies, seek justice, and serve as reconcilers of conflict (¶165, letter C). Thus, we are called to link people in the spirituality of building bridges, passionately living out the art of transforming conflict through dialogue and mediation, and in finding ways on peace building addressing the root causes of conflict.

The following are the new insights I’ve learned during the training:

First, Let the Light of Peace and Justice Shines in the World (Matthew 5:16). Let our religious teaching on peace and justice, our scriptures (verses), stories and practices that encourage good relationships across communities and speak against violence be shared to one another. Thus, the people from the different cultures, traditions, religions be enlightened by one another, empower one another that leads to the realization that peace is possible by weaving our connections and strengthening our harmonious relationship. The topic particularly, “The Theories and Practice of Peace building”, taught me about the foundations of inter-religious peace building which begins with the methods of promoting tolerance, respect, and understanding among people of diverse faiths and for reducing prejudices and stereotypes. And thus, our claim as the People of God is not considering ourselves to be better than other. This is a claim that we are called to be a people of God to bring peace with justice to all nations. We believe that our political leaders as chosen by God are not simply summoned to exercise their authority but to embody the pain, suffering and struggle of the people.

Second, Blessed are the peace builders; for they shall be called the Children of the God of Peace and many colours (Matthew 5: 9). Being the Children of God, we possess the capacity and potency as created in the image of God stipulated in the creation story in the book of Genesis (chapter 1: 26-28), to build relationship with one another – to build peace with one another. Being the Children of God is the image of a peace builder living out the following principles.

·         Possessing the comprehensive lens that identify the needs of our neighbours and partners in the peace building initiatives, a clear vision of our efforts, a concrete actions and relevant design towards our vision.

·         Living out the spirituality of interdependent, intimately connected to the nature and quality of relationships, and bridging those people who are not like-minded.

·         Having the awareness that peace building is not about skills but about arts and soul in the making peace possible. It is about perpetual commitment of discovering and strengthening the resources rooted in the context of the protracted conflict.

·         Strategic assessment of the day to day peace-building initiatives is a way of life, thus leads to learn how to respond the immediate and long-term concerns and needs objectively. The what, where and how is very important in the peace-building process.

·         Building a compassionate infrastructure. “Compassionate” from the word “Compassion” means “to feel with”, it means feeling the feelings of somebody else.  Feeling the suffering of our neighbour and being moved by that suffering to do something. In this sense, building a compassionate infrastructure means building a womblike facilities or communities that gives, nourishes, embraces life, encompassing and caring.  Building a compassionate infrastructure is creating hopeful, empathetic, and cooperative dynamics among parties in conflict, such as identifying connectors.

Third, Let us build bridges that makes peace happen and possible in our community (John 14:27).

Using the framework of inter-religious peace building, first, in the practical dimension, together with my classmates and colleagues we integrated the peace lens in the day to day activities of the school, and in even in our personal life. Second, in the spiritual dimension, we enhanced the Spiritual Formation Program of the SPMCI, especially in our Daily Morning and Evening Praise and Prayer, Chapel Services and other spiritual exercises. Third, in the cognitive dimension, syllabus of theology courses along with the general education courses are enhanced with peace lens. Certificates Courses were enhanced and developed, like the following:

·         Peace Education and Cultures of Mindanao

·         Certificate Course on Christian Unity and Interreligious Peace Building

·         Certificate Course on Doing Mission through Theatre Arts (DoTA) Ministry

The new courses offered and program developed rooted from the affirmations that,

We believe that the almighty and gracious God created us in one blood, men and women; and we are called to dwell on this earth and be responsible stewards.

We believe that we are created in God’s image with potency to know and love God; and we are called to know and love each other as brothers and sisters, caring for one another as members of the People of God.

We believe in God of many colours, who called us to become peoples of different languages, races, and religious communities.

We believe that God called us to weave our harmonious relationship with one another, and be the instruments of building bridges to make peace happen and possible in our community.

And thus, through this we may praise and glorify God. Amen.

And Fourth, Therefore Go, inspire more people to make peace possible. This is the commission of God of many colours to us, as we listen from one another’s testimony, learning one’s songs and dances, and to the lectures of our three facilitators, namely, Ms. Myla Leguro, Jean Baptiste, and Shamsia Ramadhan.

We therefore,

·         Go forth in Peace, and be the instrument of the dialogue of life where people strive to live in an open and neighbourly spirit, sharing their joys and sorrows, their human problems and preoccupations.

·         Go forth in Peace, and be the instrument of the dialogue of action in which Tri-people and others collaborate for the integral development and liberation of people.

·         Go forth in Peace, and be the instrument of the dialogue of theological exchange where specialists seek to deepen their understanding of their respective religious heritage, and to appreciate each other’s spiritual values.

·         Go forth in Peace, and be the instrument of the dialogue of religious experience where persons, rooted in their own religious traditions share their spiritual riches, prayer and contemplation.

Amen.