Examples of Living Alternatives - Blog Meme

Jamie Arpin-Ricci has started a meme and tagged me (I’m assuming “Mark Van Steenwyck” is me…even though there isn’t a “c” in my name).

1. Consider aspects of our culture where we have too easily compromised, issues that you passionately oppose.

Ok. Done. I think it has to do with defining justice the way the world does…which often includes the use of retributive violence, or at least retributive punishment.

2. Then, ask yourself what it would mean for you, both as and individual and as a part of a community, to be a living alternative. Write about it.

This is tricky. You see, it is WAY easier to gripe about and resist violence and vengeance than it is to practice peace and mercy. But there they are, right there in the Beatitudes. It is the peacemakers and the merciful that are blessed.

I think I can start to be a merciful peacemaker by demanding justice from anyone who has wronged me. After all, every day I ask God to forgive my debts just like I’ve forgiven my debtors…or have I?

I think I still am waiting for a few people to give me what I feel like they owe. Perhaps I should forgive their debt. And while I’m at it, I should stop enjoying when my ideological enemies end up looking bad in the news or in blog posts.

It is hard to pursue violence when you don’t think anyone owes you anything. So the first step towards peacemaking is being merciful and forgiving in your relationships. But how to take it a step further and actually make peace where there is none? Some folks in Missio Dei are considering taking walks through the neighborhood at times when tensions are highest. Some of our folks have done a great job getting to know some of the “troublemakers” in the neighborhood. Our presence would help bring friendliness in the midst of potential conflict.

In fact, the other day, someone from a local bike co-op asked Josh (a member of Missio Dei) if he would be willing to facilitate a conversation between co-op members and a group of young Somali men who are causing some trouble. Josh is respected by all of the people involved.

In September, I am going to go to Colombia as a Christian Peacemaker Team delegate. That will, I hope, be a first step in a life of international peacemaking. I don’t think it goes far enough to protest war. At some point you have to step into the violence (or potential violence) like Christ.

3. Link back here to this post.

Already done.

4. Tag others to participate.

Ok. I tag…

Eliacin Rosario Cruz (who is on the cover of Sojourners this month, by the way), Jason Evans, and Makeesha Fisher.