Spiritual Life column

Here is my Spiritual Life column for this week's Ilford Recorder:

 

Maciej Hoffman paints huge expressionist canvases depicting scenes of trauma. His paintings depict the distress caused through conflict and he seeks to use his art to generate discussion among people of all faiths and none about the causes of conflict.

 

I am pleased to be able to work with him on an exhibition to be held shortly at Chelmsford Cathedral (21st - 23rd October, 7.45am - 9.00pm, ending 3.00pm on 23rd) which we are calling 'Deconstructing c o n f l i c t'. Our hope is that Maciej's images will help people see the folly and futility of war and violence.

 

As is clear in places of conflict within our world currently, violence begets more violence and creates a vicious cycle through which more and more people are hurt, maimed or killed. In this exhibition for One World Week, we want to say that there is a different and better way to live.

 

For me, that different and better way is exemplified by Jesus who sacrificed his own life into order that all people might live. Jesus acted non-violently to break the vicious cycle of violence enabling love and forgiveness to flourish in and through the lives of those who follow in his footsteps.

 

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Tom Jones - What Good Am I?