Principal's Message

Dear Parents

Here are a couple of disturbing facts:

“Global military spending stands at over$1.46 trillion in annual expenditure at current prices for 2008. The United Nations was set up to be committed to preserving peace through international cooperation and collective security. Yet, the United Nation’s entire budget of $27 billion is just a tiny fraction of the world’s military expenditure;approximately 1.8%.”  (Source: Global Issues.)

So, how is this imbalance justified? Ronald Reagan tried to make some sense of it when, years ago, he said, “Peace is not the absence of conflict it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.” However, it would appear that a previous Secretary of the United Nations, U Thant, is closer to the mark with his comment, “There is no peace in the world today, because there is no peace in the hearts of men.” Maybe U Thant had read “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas a Kempis who wrote, “First keep the peace with yourself, then, you can also bring peace to others.” In his last conversation with his disciples before his crucifixion, Jesus spoke these words, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27. Twenty four hours later and the disciples would be experiencing anything but peace now that Jesus had been killed. After the Holy Spirit had come to them, the disciples were able to recall that Jesus had prepared them for the setbacks that would occur when taking his message to the world. At the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.” He followed that with a few sobering warnings: “Blessed are they who suffer persecution for what is right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” and “blessed are you when you are reviled and persecuted and have every evil spoken against you for my name’s sake.” Jesus went on to say there should be no eye for an eye nor tooth for a tooth but that, when we are harmed by another, we are to turn the other cheek. What a revolutionary Jesus was! His teaching was so opposite to the teaching of his day. What’s more, he went on to say, “You have heard that you should love your neighbour but hate your enemy but I say to you: love your enemies, do good to them that hate you and pray for those that persecute you.” One gets the impression that if Jesus was in charge of the world today, the $1.46 trillion would be spent fostering peace with a strong possibility that the other $27 billion would go the same way. Jesus’ peacemakers are asked to find peace within themselves, then, bring it to all they do by fostering peace with all those in their immediate environment and by restoring peace when it has been disturbed. Peace making is a powerful aspect of Christ-likeness through which we can help restore calm and balance in the lives of others by assisting with their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs. After the Resurrection, Jesus’ greeting to everyone each time he appeared was, “Peace be with You”. He was attempting to restore calm and balance in their lives after the events of Good Friday. Jesus’ words are for us as well, so that we maintain a sense of well-being, optimism and a clear conscience. Our example to our children should be to help their minds to be peaceful, loving and thoughtful. 

“May peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus, our Lord.” 2 Peter 1:2.

Peace and best wishes

Leonie Burfield

PRINCIPAL