Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace Fr. John Dear will be on a national speaking tour in 2024 talking about his forthcoming book, The Gospel of Peace: A commentary on Matthew, Mark and Luke from the perspective of nonviolence (available from Orbis Books in early December.) It is the first commentary on the Synoptic Gospels from the perspective of active nonviolence, in the tradition of Gandhi and Dr. King.
>>Right now, he is finalizing his travel schedule. If you are interested in hosting him to speak and sell books at your church or in your community, contact him as soon as possible at john@beatitudescenter.org. It would be wonderful to have Pax Christi groups across the country welcome him during this tour.
Visit www.johndear.org for more information.
“No living person has done more to root Jesus’ message of nonviolence and peace in scripture than John Dear. He understands so clearly that humans live inside the stories that we claim together or, better, that claim us. Follow John’s lead through Matthew, Mark and Luke and, like those disciples on the Emmaus Way, your heart will be set afire with excitement to tell others the Good News!” –Wes Howard-Brook
“Prepare to be inspired, as John Dear guides you on a journey into the nonviolent revolution grounded in Jesus and his Way of Love. Along the way, you will encounter anew the steadfast fearlessness of figures like Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day, and Oscar Romero…and find yourself ready to join them in this holy work.” –The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church
“Fr. John Dear’s commentary on the synoptic gospels from the perspective of nonviolence is needed especially now. With the Third World War being fought piecemeal as our Holy Father Pope Francis regularly reminds us, and the violence of handguns and assault weapons daily taking the lives of God’s children in the U.S., we Christians need to be reminded that the Gospel of Jesus is about peace. Fr. Dear’s book helps us reflect on Jesus the Peacemaker and assists us in becoming blessed peacemakers ourselves.” –Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., Bishop of Lexington, President of Pax Christi USA
“Fr. John Dear’s The Gospel of Peace is an invitation to go beyond a conceptual consideration of peace to the living of peace, especially as a condition and an attribute of discipleship to Jesus”—Cardinal Peter Turkson, Vatican City
“Fr. John Dear’s passion for peace illumines every page of this book. Recognizing the Beatitudes and the Sermon of the Mount as a blueprint for the life of Christ, John Dear demonstrates how the gospels are a blueprint for peace, inviting believer and nonbeliever alike to follow the Prince of Peace by living the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount. For all who are interested in the Gospel vision of peace and nonviolence, and who have been moved by John Dear’s lifelong ministry of peace building, this book is a must read.” –Archbishop John Wester, Archdiocese of Santa Fe, NM
“Each time I consult this magnificent commentary for insight into a particular gospel passage, I am drawn further into the nonviolent teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. As John Dear convincingly demonstrates, Jesus was their inspiration. The Gospel of Peace lovingly confronts us all with what it means to follow Jesus in all dimensions of life. It is the master class on Christian discipleship.” –The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC
“The Gospel of Peace is a thoughtful, deeply challenging reflection on the synoptic Gospels that captures the complexity, depth and nuances of nonviolence in the word and witness of Jesus. Lifting up the unique character of each evangelist’s version of the story, The Gospel of Peace makes clear the many contemporary applications of Gospel nonviolence on the way to just peace. It will be a valuable resource for all who seek to understand and to live the nonviolence that Jesus taught.” –Marie Dennis, Pax Christi International and Catholic Nonviolence Initiative
Would Fr. Deer agree that applying “The Gospel of Peace” to Ukraine means that Ukraine’s people must tolerate a form of slavery while giving up violent resistance for nonviolent resistance, at least for a while?