Greetings …

Instituted by United Nations, Disarmament Week is observed each year from 24 to 30 October.  While this week is not top of mind for many of us, the idea behind it is to promote awareness and better understanding of how disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation efforts contribute to a safer, more peaceful future.

Unfortunately, for many, disarmament is seen as an ideal which is unrealistic in the real world, and the thought of it is likely to be dismissed as swimming against a riptide.  At present arms manufacturers cannot keep up with the demand to sustain the war in Ukraine, to support other military operations and to serve a host of geopolitical ends.  In 2023, $91.4 billion was spent on nuclear weapsons alone.

While peace might seem elusive, there must be a better way to do things that we are now.  Just imagine if the global money spent on weapons was instead being allocated to hospitals, schools, clean water, care for the aging, social housing, food security, the environment and other things that enhanced life.  Surely this would enable some to live more peacefully and what a difference it would make to the world.

In John 14:27 we are reminded of Jesus saying, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.’  While peace might seem far off, let us always remember that Jesus is our peace.  Whatever we see when we look around, we have been offered the gift of peace from the Prince of Peace.  Let us live lives that aim to share this gift too.

Blessings – Rev  Heather Hon (she/her).