"Instruments of Thy Peace"
Bible Study Explores Alan Paton Book
Summer, 2002

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is sadness, joy; where there is darkness, light.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; not so much to be understood, as to understand; not so much to be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.
This remarkable prayer, written by Francis of Assisi, offers a challenge to us all - to love our neighbor unconditionally; to offer forgiveness even when we feel wronged; to give without thought of receiving; to put aside our fears and work for peace.

Alan Paton
Alan Paton embraces this challenge in his book “Instrument of Thy Peace,” the summer selection chosen by the St. Joan of Arc Bible Study. Paton, a South African proponent of racial equality, is perhaps best known for his book Cry, the Beloved Country. In Instrument, Paton tells us he writes this book “…for those who with all their hearts wish to be better, purer, less selfish, more useful; for those who do not wish to be cold in love, and who know that being cold in love is perhaps the worst sin of them all; and for those who wish to keep their faith as bright and burning in the dark and faithless world; for those who seek not so much to lean upon God as to be the active instruments of his peace.”

For the Bible Study, this book offered a way to prepare for the anniversary of September 11th and to help us think deeply about what it means to be instruments of God’s peace. For most of us, the book challenged us in ways we had not anticipated. As one member stated after finishing the book, “I felt deepened spiritually.”

Through the five weeks of reading, the group discussed many questions including “what does giving oneself to God mean?” and “how can I be an instrument of peace in these turbulent times.” We shared personal stories, discussed current events and found insights in other readings.

We discovered that giving oneself to God means giving oneself to others - not withdrawing when we feel hurt or melancholy, not hoarding our talents or skills, but reaching out to friends, family or strangers and helping when and where we can. It means giving ourselves with each gift - not just a gift symbol like flowers or money - but a true giving that does not seek gratitude in return.

We learned that a major barrier to experiencing peace and forgiveness within ourselves is not that someone outside has failed to forgive us but that we have failed to forgive ourselves. God loves us as we are and perpetual guilt is a rejection of God’s grace. It prevents us from acting as instruments of God’s peace. By giving an apology and asking for forgiveness we can absolve ourselves and let grace in, grace being the key to restoring peace and the Godly attribute that can get us through the day.

We learned the more we allow ourselves to be used as instruments of peace and the more we give of ourselves, the closer we can come to a state of abiding joy.

At the end of each chapter, Paton offers a prayer, which concludes with the request to be able to “do some work of peace for Thee.” The group was continually drawn to these prayers and spent time reading and reflecting on them. The prayers below, among my favorites, offer a wonderful starting point to think about what it means to be an instrument of God’s peace and to start the work to be so.

O Lord, help me to order my life better, help me to use my gifts more industriously, help me to turn from no one in need, help me to see You in the hungry, the sick, the prisoners, the lonely, help me in this coming day to some work of peace for You.
And:
Lord, help me to give myself when I am giving. Teach me to give without thought of receiving, and to receive without thought of giving. Teach me not to withhold or to withdraw myself. Teach me to hoard nothing: love, money, time, possessions. Make me ready to give, even if my life is required of me. And while I have it, use it as an instrument of Your peace.

Upcoming Fall Session:

If you are looking for a way to become more involved at St. Joan of Arc or to explore your faith more deeply, the Bible Study offers a perfect starting point. It is a welcoming environment where ideas are shared, history is explored and current events are discussed. It is a place where you can ask those pesky questions you thought you shouldn’t ask - “what happens after we die?” “where is heaven?” “what about original sin?” Many of the members have read the bible extensively and some, like myself, are just starting. The group, now in its fourth year, has developed into a community of friends where laughter and support are readily shared. No one remains “new” for long.


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Jeanne Morales has been active at St. Joans for the past year. She loves working in her garden, attending the St. Joan of Arc Bible Study and sneaking off for camping trips when she has time.
The Fall session begins on Tuesday, Oct. 8 with the book “Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously but not Literally,” by Marcus Borg. In this book, Borg offers some new lenses for reading the bible. The group will read this book in conjunction with the related passages in the bible. The session will provide a great opportunity for those who have never read the bible or for those looking for a fresh approach. St. Joan’s own “biblical scholar” Tom Smith-Myott will start the group off October 8th with some general background information and historical insights. Books will be available for purchase in the bookstore. All are welcome.

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