As I have sat with Psalm 120 the final verse keeps ringing in my mind, “I’m for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.” In my minds eye I am at a mural in Belfast. A mural created by a community desperate for their children to grow up in peace and not war. May these words and images call us to live out the Gospel today, and always. No More 'No more bombing, no more murder No more killing of our sons No more standing at the grave side Having to bury our loved ones No more waking up every hour Hoping our children, they come home No more maimed or wounded people Who have suffered all alone No more minutes to leave a building No more fear of just parked cars No more looking over our shoulders No more killing in our bars No more hatred from our children No more. No more. No more!' (poem by Jim Wilson, East Belfast Community Worker) Psalm 120 A pilgrimage song. I cried out to the Lord when I was in trouble (and he answered me): 2 “Lord, deliver me from lying lips and a dishonest tongue!” 3 What more will be given to you, what more will be done to you, you dishonest tongue? 4 Just this: a warrior’s sharpened arrows, coupled with burning coals from a wood fire! 5 Oh, I’m doomed because I have been an immigrant in Meshech, because I’ve made my home among Kedar’s tents. 6 I’ve lived far too long with people who hate peace. 7 I’m for peace, but when I speak, they are for war. (You can read more about the history of murals, and this one in particular, here: https://amp.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/belfasts-murals-off-the-wall-28530297.html?fbclid=IwAR3UW80JfRdtJ_QNy0GOSfYK_2grX2KC9DnXF0pRp-DUK9AfaKK8zf51Frg)
