Today's gospel, 26 Sept: From violence to nonviolence
Today's gospel, Friday 26 Sept:
From violence to nonviolence, hatred to peace
Luke 9:18-22
Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’ They answered, ‘John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered, ‘The Messiah of God.’
He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, ‘The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’
A thought for the day
Peter (Saint Peter), who features in today's gospel is one of the most interesting biblical characters and disciples. His declaration in reply to Jesus' question, "But who do you say that I am?", is known as the Confession of Saint Peter - "[You are] the Messiah of God.’
The image below shows Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane at the arrest of Jesus, prior to the crucifixion. In spite of his love for and faith in his Friend and Master, Jesus, Peter, who seems to have been somewhat bold and impetuous, and even violent, responds to the threat in the garden with violence, striking the High Priest's servant Malchus with a sword and cutting off his ear. Peter at this point hasn't learned and imbibed his master's example and teaching of non-violence.
Yet it is Peter who is entrusted by Jesus with the major responsibility of pastoring the nascent church. And when later he finds himself arrested and in prison, there is nothing to suggest that Peter's old inclination to lash out is still at work. (See Acts chapter 12.) There has been change and growth. The Holy Spirit and grace have brought about transformation in Peter. The Holy Spirit and grace, with our cooperation, can change us, human beings and God's children, too, and through us the world. "Therefore we do not lose heart..." (2 Corinthians 4:16).
You can find a helpful article by Richard Rohr on Martin Luther King Jr's Principles of Nonviolence, below (- King's Principles of Nonviolence; https://cac.org/daily-meditations/kings-principles-of-nonviolence/).
A prayer
Almighty and All-loving God, there is so much violence in the world, violence in human beings, and violence even in the church and even in our hearts, speech and ways. Pour out your Spirit upon us, humanity and all your children, and quench the flames of anger and hatred.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
King’s Principles of Nonviolence
23 Sept 2025
Father Richard offers a summary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s principles of nonviolence:
1. Nonviolence is a way of strength and not a way for cowards. It is not a lack of power which allows us to be nonviolent, but in fact the discovery of a different kind of power. It is a choice, not a resignation; a spirituality, not just a tactic.
2. The goal of nonviolence is always winning the friendship and the understanding of the supposed opponent, not their humiliation or personal defeat. It must be done to eventually facilitate the process of reconciliation, and we ourselves must be willing to pay the price for that reconciliation. King based this on Jesus’ lifestyle and death and on Ephesians 2:13–22 and Romans 12:1–2.
3. The opponent must be seen not so much as an evil person, but as a symbol of a much greater systemic evil—of which they also are a victim! We must aim our efforts at that greater evil, which is harming all of us, rather than at the opponent.
4. There is a moral power in voluntarily suffering for the sake of others. Christians call it the “myth of redemptive suffering,” whereas almost all of history is based on the opposite, the “myth of redemptive violence.” The lie that almost everybody believes is that suffering can be stopped by increasing the opponent’s suffering. It works only in the short run. In the long run, that suffering is still out there and will somehow have to work its way out in the next generation or through the lives of the victims. A willingness to bear the pain has the power to transform and absorb the evil in the opponent, the nonviolent resister, and even the spectator. This is precisely what Jesus was doing on the cross. It changes all involved and at least forces the powers that be to “show their true colors” publicly. And yes, the nonviolent resister is also changed through the action. It is called resurrection or enlightenment.
5. This love ethic must be at the center of our whole life, or it cannot be effective or real in the crucial moments of conflict. We have to practice drawing our lives from this new source, in thought, word, emotion, and deed, every day, or we will never be prepared for the major confrontations or the surprise humiliations that will come our way.
6. Nonviolence relies on a kind of cosmic optimism which trusts that the universe/reality/God is finally and fully on the side of justice and truth. History does have a direction, meaning, and purpose. God/good is more fundamental than evil. Resurrection will have the final word, which is the very promise of the Jesus event. The eternal wind of the Spirit is with us. However, we should not be naïve; and we must understand that most people’s loyalties are with security, public image, and the comforts of the status quo. [1]
Sacred Space
A gentle prayer guide with short reflection can be found here:
https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-09-26/
- Bishop Michael will preside at the Eucharist in Turlough Parish Church, on Sat 27 Sept, 7pm, followed by tea. Everyone is warmly invited and welcome.
- Christ Church Castlebar, 10am, Morning Prayer, followed by tea
- Westport in St Mary's Church (for Holy Trinity), 12 noon, Morning Prayer, followed by tea in Carrowbeg House
- St Thomas's Dugort, Achill, 3pm, the Eucharist
- Funeral Service, Mrs Sonya Noone, 3 October, 11am in Turlough Church
- Holy Baptism: Sat 4 October, 7pm in Turlough Church. Everyone is warmly invited and welcome.
- Inishbiggle Harvest Thanksgiving, Sat 25 October. Meet at Doran's Point, Ballycroy at 9.30am, for 10am departure. Returning around 2.30pm. Everyone is warmly invited and welcome but please let us know (0838003233) if you wish to book a seat in the boat (currach). Bring a packed lunch, water, sturdy footwear, weather-appropriate clothes, and 10 euros towards the ferry cost.
Revd Suzanne Cousins, Rector, Aughaval Group of Parishes
Aughaval Parishes' Website aughaval.tlk.ie
