But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-25 ESV).
Flower Power is an historic photograph taken by photographer Bernie Boston for the now-defunct Washington Star. It was nominated for the 1967 Pulitzer Prize. Taken on October 21, 1967, during a march to the Pentagon, the iconic photo shows a young, long-haired Vietnam protestor in a turtleneck sweater, placing carnations into the barrel of a rifle of a National Guardsman. The picture here is a recreation of that moment for the documentary later done commemorating the event.
This reminds me of the third listing of the fruit of the Spirit in our reading today. The 20th century could be described as a desperate search for peace. World War I was called “the war to end all wars,” but soon a second, bigger World War followed. During the Viet Nam War of the 1960s flower children stuffed carnations into soldiers’ gun barrels while protesting “peace, peace” In the 1970s youths gave up their militancy and sought peace in “inner feelings.” In the 1980s and ’90s the cry was “peace through prosperity.” Younger members of that generation chased after peace by accumulating wealth and pursuing upward mobility. Even now, as wars have continued to rage in our 21st Century World, most people simply do not know where to look to find the peace they crave.
It is only when the Holy Spirit comes into our lives that we may discover true peace. The biblical term for peace is shalom, a greeting still used in the Middle East today. Shalom refers to a blessing that includes peace with God, personal happiness and flourishing, reconciled relationships, and harmony in society. And Jesus has made all this possible through his life, death, and resurrection for our sake.
The peace of the Spirit also opens our eyes to injustice and urges us to work against the inequities of our culture. Just as fallen humans wage war with all of their ability and tenacity, Christians ought to wage peace with similar vigor and strategy. When we live in the Spirit, we maintain our unity in Christ through the bond of peace that he bought for us.