In Search Of Shalom in The New Yorker

Signs of Shalom

The April 13, 2020 edition of The New Yorker includes Vinson Cunningham’s article “Looking for Signs of Peace in a Pandemic.” His closing paragraph mentions seeing our “In Search of Shalom” banner while on his Flatbush Avenue hike.

The question we had on our poster “Shalom in real life: is it possible?” sticks indeed. We are living in a world in turmoil (death tolls rising, economy plummeting) with no certain end in sight.

Our goal is to assure anyone willing to consider the claims of Messiah that (to quote Cunningham) “real peace is indeed possible” — and includes “either the inner kind that casts out anxiety or the interpersonal kind that produces worthy politics. . . .”

Messiah’s birth was announced to shepherds with the words: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14)

Yeshua (the name given to Jesus of Nazareth by His parents), aka “The Prince of Peace,” (Isaiah 9:6), had much to say on the subject. Of greatest significance, He promised His followers during their last Passover meal together, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27).

That promise is never more needed than in times like the present. Our prayer is that many will discover that “out-of-this-world” peace Jesus so freely offers.

See also: Shalom In Real Life. Is It Possible?