December 2004
Bridges Vol. 1, No. 10
Agents of peace
As you may know, December 6 is a special date in this part of
the world because it is the “name day” of sv. Mikulaš
(alias St. Nicholas). In keeping with tradition, on the evening
of December 5, sv. Mikulaš appears in many different places,
accompanied by the angel and devil who are his cronies. This trio
greets children with questions about their behavior and with sweet
treats that are often carried in little baskets. It is a charming
tradition, which was particularly enjoyable this year because
“Mikulaš Eve” occurred on Sunday. After a Christmas
musical presented by the youth of the church that we attend in
Prague 6, Mikulaš appeared, and the younger children displayed
an enchanting innocence and joy as they accepted the treats that
he offered them. Later that afternoon, John and I found ourselves
walking behind a teenaged angel and devil who clearly were enjoying
the opportunity to masquerade as agents of goodness and mischief
(which seems to be the role that the devil often plays in Czech
folktales.) As I contrasted this gentle scene with news footage
depicting the violence and conflict that are typical in so many
places, I found myself wishing that the entire world could be
serene and safe enough to enjoy such winsome traditions. “Let
there be peace on earth” seemed to be an appropriate, and
necessary, Advent prayer, which came to life in a most amazing
way less than 24 hours later.
John and I had been asked to escort a representative from the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) to an ecumenical
worship service at the “military church” of St. John
of Nepomuk near Prague Castle. That mission worker was in town
because the ECCB, which resulted from a union of Reformed and
Lutheran churches, recently became a member of the World Lutheran
Federation. I was looking forward to the evening, but I was curious
about what a worship service hosted by army chaplains would be
like. I did not know what to expect. However, insofar as the military
chaplaincy was one of the first ecumenical pursuits which Czech
Catholic priests and Protestant ministers undertook together,
I was anticipating a rich blend of traditions.
I was not disappointed, as organ music filled the sanctuary,
a beloved hymn was sung, Scripture was read, and a prayer for
peace was offered. Following an orchestral interlude, some special
guests from Britain were introduced, and, in an instant, it became
apparent that this was an extraordinary occasion. You see, the
Czech military chaplaincy had been selected for membership in
the “Community of the Cross of Nails.” That network
of advocates of peace and reconciliation arose as the result of
a vision that came to a caretaker of the Cathedral Church of St.
Michael in Coventry, England, after it was destroyed during a
bombing raid carried out by German forces during the Second World
War.
That caretaker had made crosses from the nails that he had found
in the ruins of the Church of St. Michael in the belief that that
these symbols of Christ’s solidarity with all who suffer
had real potential to call the world to engage in the sort of
forgiveness that often is an essential component of peace.
The British representatives who presented the chaplains of the
Czech army with the Cross of Nails stated that this was the first
time that a military body had received this honor and its accompanying
responsibility to be mediators of peace. In a corner of my mind,
a question arose: Had the Czech military chaplaincy received the
Cross of Nails because it had advanced a spirit of reconciliation
and cooperation between Catholic and Protestant clergy, in spite
of centuries of alienation between the agents of the Czech Reformation
and the perpetrators of the violent Counter-Reformation?
I do not know if that theory is credible. However, when our guest
from the ELCA raised the same question during the reception at
the Archbishop’s Palace that followed the service, I remembered
that a few days before, I had heard a top military official repeatedly
speaking of peace during an interview on the Czech morning news.
A new theory presented itself: Would not members of an army that
sees itself as being an instrument of peace be invaluable participants
in the Cross of Nails’ community of reconciliation? Is not
such a self-perception the exception, rather than the rule, in
military circles at this point in time? And isn’t such a
radical revisioning of the role of military power essential, if
this world is to be serene and safe enough to enjoy winsome traditions
of life and love? Let there be peace on earth, indeed!
Joyce Michael
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
337
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