Display of Origami Cranes at the International Peace Garden, September 2024, in memory of Sadako Sasaki, who died of Leukemia caused by the Atom Bomb. She had a goal of making 1000 Cranes

“God will judge between the nations and shall arbitrate for many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war anymore. ” Isaiah 2;4 NRSV

Isaiah envisions a time, when both justice and peace exist in every nation, and among the nations. Today that vision seems far away. The fixings of war, and the building up of military arsenals, are a profitable business. The machinery of war is expensive, paid for at the expense of ones citizens. War’s economy leaves little left for health care, strong safety nets, affordable housing or less expensive colleges.

Our screens are filled with the suffering in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, where the innocent suffer most.  Shattered buildings, and shattered lives are evidence of ongoing grief and pain.

Knowing the consequences of war, Jesus blessed the peacemakers, calling them “Children of God.” Matthew 5:9

Isaiah’s vision encourages us to hope for the day when people of the world lay down their arms. One  when nations learn to live in such a way, that even training for war is no longer considered a necessity.

Reading Isaiah’s words this week, lines from  the Spiritual, *“Down by the Riverside,”  came to mind.  The song was popularized during  the 1960’s as an anti-war song and a protest against the  Vietnam War. Folk Singers shared its message of hope, “I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield, Down by the riverside,” and it’s refrain,  “I ain’t gonna study war no more.”

As we approach Advent, may we carry Isaiah’s vision, a message God gave him to pass through the centuries, to stir hope  in our hearts.  A hope that transcends our understanding, but is firmly set in God’s hands.

*Lyrics to Down by the Riverside

“I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield,
Down by the riverside
Down by the riverside
Down by the riverside
I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield,
Down by the riverside
I ain’t gonna study war no more.a”

“I ain’t gonna study war no more
Ain’t gonna study war no more
Ain’t gonna study war no more.
I ain’t gonna study war no more,
ain’t gonna study war no more,
ain’t gonna study war no more.”

2 Gonna lay down my burden,
down by the riverside,
down by the riverside,
down by the riverside;
gonna lay down my burden,
down by the riverside,
down by the riverside.

I ain’t gonna study war no more.
ain’t gonna study war no more,
ain’t gonna study war no more,
I ain’t gonna study war no more,
ain’t gonna study war no more,
ain’t gonna study war no more.