R&P (word doc with tables instead)
Christianity
Inner peace
Living in the model of Jesus
Agape Love ((unconditional)
Acceptance
Forgiveness
Prayer
Peace is an ongoing journey, it is found within themselves and externally (inner and outer peace)
Christian understanding
Different for everyone
Living in harmony with others in their family/community
Equitable and just structures in society
Community values of respect and acceptace
Absence of conflict and war
Christians are guided by the New Testament to have right relationships with God and others
Brings inner peace, peace with one's community, and outer peace
Christians are guided to be responsible for bringing peace to the world and living in the Image of God
Jesus focuses on developing a new and loving relationship with God
Commandment of Love "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" Matthew 22:37-40
Can be achieved through a right relationship with God
The New Testament shows Jesus' model of peace and his right relationship with God
"Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace I give to you. I do not five it as the world gives. Do not be worries and upset. Do not be afraid" John 14:27
His life, death and resurrection are models of peace
Jesus died on the cross to restore all people to God
"He is the Beginning, the first-born from the dead, so that he should be supreme in every way; because God wanted all fullness to be found in him and through him to reconcile all things to him, everything in heaven and everything on earth, by making peace through his death on the cross" Colossians1:18-20
By following Jesus' commands, Christians are bringing about peace and becoming 'at peace' with themselves
Praying and studying scripture
Christians are to love God with heart, soul, mind and strength
"Jesus is the way, the truth and the life" John 14:6
Reminded through Second Vatican Coucil
"In the sacred books the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children and talks with them ... The Word of God ... is strength for [people's] faith, food for their souls, and a pure and lasting fount of spiritual life" Die Vaerbum
During Covid, online Masses allowed people to still achieve inner peace through a sense of community and connection with God and other Christians
The gospel portrays Jesus as a man who is frequently praying highlighting its importance
Jesus taught his disciples how to pray
In this world, whose heart is aching, people hunger both physically and spiritually. Christians pray for inner peace, a relationship with God and with others, a relationship that will be part of every day, as sustaining as 'daily bread'. Jesus said, 'I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever hunger'" John 6:34-35
The Our Father Matthew 6:9-13
Prayer
Prayer turns Christians to God, they have faith that their prayers will be answered
A third of people prayed more during Covid lock down (from survey of 1000 people)
"The enforced slow down and isolation of the COVID restrictions have meant that people have been forced to step off the treadmill and realise there is more to life than the endless grind of work and pursuit of material ends" Anglican Bishop of South Sydney Michael Stead
Inner -> Outer
Inner peace should be translated into action otherwise, prayers are just words
E.g. in the Lord's prayer 'thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10)
Teaches Christians to work for the welfare of others, creating a peaceful 'kingdom' on earth
A Christian are called to be a peacemaker, a good person, a bridge between people