Just Peace

I believe in God
Wh[ich] did not create an immutable world
A thing incapable of change . . . .

I believe in God
Wh[ich] . . . wanted us to change the status quo . . . .

I believe in Jesus Christ
Who was right when he
Like each of us
Just another individual who couldn’t beat city hall
Worked to change the status quo . . . .

I believe in the spirit
That Jesus brought into the world
In the [humanity] of all nations

I believe it is up to us
What our Earth becomes . . . .

I believe in a just peace
That can be achieved in the possibility of a meaningful life
For all people
I believe this world of God’s
Has a future
Amen 

— Dorothee Soelle, a 20th century German mystic, social activist, and feminist liberation theologian 

— From a translation of her poem, “Credo,” © 1977