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Chapel Theme 2012-2013
The search for good and harmony is foremost in the mind and heart of every man. Since the dawn of civilization up to the present, every person has persistently worked for it. The world knows the importance of peace and people strive everyday to bring it. Leaders of nations are working round the clock in finding ways to bring about conflict resolution. Indeed, the urgent need for peace has never been felt in our world at this level.
One only needs to read the papers and watch the late night news to have a picture of the situation. Conflict may be happening in some far away place but the possibility of it taking place near you is not remote. You can imagine and almost hear the sound of guns and fighting. These sounds make the need for peace even all the more urgent.
Jesus himself had to live and work with an unfriendly environment. Throughout his life he sought peaceful ways to confront difficult situations. He taught that “if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also” (Matthew 5:39). One might say that no one in their right mind would do so. The ways of the world encourages the ‘natural’ and opposite reaction. We all however realize that the world’s principle of ‘a tooth for a tooth’ will leave many toothless. It was an eye for an eye culture that Jesus found himself. However, he consistently taught the values of understanding and loving one another.
He preached, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). It was hard to do and it came at a heavy price but he proved it that it can be done. In fact, before he breathed his last on the cross, he was heard speaking to his father, “forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). The cross reminds us of the challenges and the tough road to peace. Jesus’ invitation is “deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).
The Chapel theme for the School Year 2012 - 2013 is, “Be a Peacemaker”. The bible verse on which the theme is based is from the Sermon on the Mount or the Beatitudes where Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Here at Brent School students study, play and work with peers from different cultures, backgrounds and beliefs. They learn to be understanding, to be strong, patient, compassionate, forgiving and loving. In their youth they learn and teach one another that to be a peacemaker means to be all of that and more. They are a constant reminder of the beautiful song and prayer, “make me a channel of your peace, where there is hatred let me bring your love…”
Peace is foundational and a sine qua non to any human or communal development. Our hard work, determination and desire for peace will one day bear fruit. Everyone wants to live in peace. We can and we will! Be a peacemaker! The choice is ours.
Have a wonderful and peaceful school year 2012 - 2013!
Take care and God bless.
Fr. Benjamin A. Jance III
Chaplain / Registrar
Brent International School Manila
Mr. Dick B. Robbins
Headmaster
Brent International Schools
Bible Passages
| Found by focusing on God’s promises… | 7And she said, ‘Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.’ (Genesis 21:7) |
| What would you give up for it… | 17So Isaac departed from there and camped in the valley of Gerar and settled there. 18Isaac dug again the wells of water that had been dug in the days of his father Abraham; for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham; and he gave them the names that his father had given them. 19But when Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found there a well of spring water, 20the herders of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herders, saying, ‘The water is ours.’ So he called the well Esek, because they contended with him. 21Then they dug another well, and they quarrelled over that one also; so he called it Sitnah. 22He moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it; so he called it Rehoboth, saying, ‘Now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.’ (Genesis 26:17-22) |
| Takes priority over conflict… | 21Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through their territory; so Israel turned away from them. (Number 20:21) |
| Obedience leads to… | 1So Abijah slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in the city of David. His son Asa succeeded him. In his days the land had rest for ten years. 2Asa did what was good and right in the sight of the LORD his God. 3He took away the foreign altars and the high places, broke down the pillars, hewed down the sacred poles, 4and commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and to keep the law and the commandment. 5He also removed from all the cities of Judah the high places and the incense altars. And the kingdom had rest under him. 6He built fortified cities in Judah while the land had rest. He had no war in those years, for the LORD gave him |
| Not necessarily a time to rest… | 7He said to Judah, ‘Let us build these cities, and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars; the land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought him, and he has given us peace on every side.’ So they built and prospered. (2 Chronicles 14:7) |
| Comes from the assurance of answered prayer… | 5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the LORD sustains me. (Psalm 3:5) |
| Takes hard work… | 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14) |
| Everyone wins when it is sought… | 7 I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war. (Psalm 120: 7) |
| More than the absence of conflict… | 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. 7 Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.’ 8 For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’ 9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good. (Psalm 122:6-9) |
| Make peace with others quickly… | 25Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. (Matthew 5:25-26) |
| Ultimate peace will come with Messiah’s return… | 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’ (Luke 21:28) |
| The kind the Holy Spirit brings… | 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. (John 14:27) |
| Peace vs. the peace of God… | 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. 28You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29And now I 1Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Roman 5:1) 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:3) 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7) |
| Can affect our decisions… | 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15) |
| Must be active not passive… | 11let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it. (1 Peter 3:11) |
This page was last modified on Monday, July 23, 2012, 12:22:14 AM
