The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth...
Isaiah 11:1-4a NRSVue (Advent 2 reading)
There is a tradition of themes for the season of Advent which identifies Peace for the second Sunday. I've been musing about the notion of peaceful protest in recent days with examples close to home and at a distance. Over the weekend there were rallies in many communities across Ontario voicing opposition to Bill 23 which will open up portions of the Greenbelt despite promises by Premier Doug Ford not to touch these important agricultural, forest, and wetland areas. From what I've heard and seen these were both passionate and peaceful assemblies, and in some respects voices raised on behalf of the voiceless. It's likely that the legislation will be introduced as early as today.
Meanwhile the testimony for the inquiry into the use of the Emergency Act earlier this year has come to an end. The Act, which is intended as a last-resort response to threats to national safety, was implemented as a response to the occupation of downtown Ottawa and the blockades at border crossings in several provinces. These protesters were entrenched, often belligerent to the point of being threatening, and unclear in their goals. While they have insisted they were peaceful in intent there was plenty of evidence to the contrary. In Alberta some of them were armed and plotting to attack police.
We should also be aware that there are continuing protests by Indigenous groups against the development of pipelines on traditional lands in British Columbia in the immediate area and in other provinces. These have been, by and large, peaceful.
Around the world there have been protests in Iran and now in China which are pushing back against oppressive regimes which prohibit public gatherings. Some of the participants have been arrested and in Iran scores have died, including children.
In Advent we're a long way from Palm/Passion Sunday but that event was also a public and peaceful protest against the "powers that be" only days before Jesus was arrested, tried, and executed by the Roman regime. There isn't much doubt that this procession put Jesus on the radar of authorities. Was the birth of Jesus a form of peaceful challenge to the world order in itself?
As I say, this is pondering on my part, maybe even meandering! We have taken part in peaceful protests through the years, including marches through city streets. Did they make a difference? It's hard to say. I do feel that as people of faith and followers of Christ we must be passionate rather than passive about what matters for the shalom, the deeper peace intended for human relations and for all of Creation.
Christ's Entry into Brussells in 1889 -- James Ensor
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