Jesus isn’t Called the Prince of Peace for Nothing

By Deacon Peggy Hahn (she/her), Director of Innovation

Given that this Jesus is the Lord of our lives, how do we feel about the show of power our President carried out five days ago? It’s confusing. Many Venezuelans—and people here—may feel relief at the removal of Nicolás Maduro, while also feeling fear about what comes next: their families, their future, their country’s resources. Celebration and fear can both be true at the same time.

When one president removes another—even a dictator—it reveals a global bullying problem. It’s hard to believe violence is truly about helping local people or reducing drug trafficking when the next conversation turns to controlling oil. Greed and power are nothing new. They run through the history of the world, including our own country.

I saw firsthand what happened when the U.S. misused its power through the lives of dear friends in El Salvador. I’ve witnessed the forced journeys of refugees fleeing political bullies. Just because this is an old story doesn’t mean we should look away.

Violence creates cycles of harm—from nation to nation and within our own homes. It’s easy to let the busyness of life distract us from naming things honestly. This is a misuse of power.

So what can ordinary people like you and me do? I keep asking that question. My list feels small, but maybe it will grow. For now, based on my study of Jesus:

• Pray—for forgiveness, for peace, for those harmed by violence.

• Pay attention to how I/we misuse power, intentionally or not.

• Stay alert and informed; listen to more than one source.

• Ask good questions and talk with each other.

Jesus was deeply political. His life literally began on the run from Herod’s death order and ended at the hands of the Roman government. Read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) if you doubt it. The Prince of Peace did not keep his head in the sand.