By Kathryne Rakowski, contributing writer
Internationally known author and peace activist John Dear will be making two stops in the Diocese of Syracuse as part of his 5-month national speaking tour for his new book, The Gospel of Peace, A Commentary on Matthew, Mark and Luke from the Perspective of Non-Violence. Dear will be speaking at St. Francis Church in Binghamton on April 4th and at St. Lucy’s Church in Syracuse on April 18th. Both talks begin at 7pm, and each will end with a question-and-answer period.
Dear has authored dozens of books, but calls this latest book the culmination of all of his life’s work. It is the first ever commentary on the synoptics from the perspective of nonviolence, and is written through the lens of the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As an activist his whole life, Dear is eager to share his message with others.
“I’ve been studying the Gospels, Gandhi, and King for over 50 years,” he shared. “I’m convinced that the only way to understand Jesus is through the lens of peace. Every Christian needs to become a disciple of the non-violent Jesus.”
He will be visiting over 60 cities in the country and has spoken to crowds as little as 100, as well as groups of over 1000. He’s looking forward to speaking in Binghamton and Syracuse.
“There is a great hunger for this message,” he said. “Our God is a God of peace and people find hope in this.”
Dear’s newest book as well as others will be available for purchase at St. Francis and St. Lucy’s. Dear encourages people to buy 2 books if they can; one for yourself and one to give away, perhaps to a friend or even your pastor.
“I’m encouraging people to spread the message because it is so needed,” he said.
Both talks are free, open to the public, and refreshments will be served. St. Francis and St. Lucy’s are both handicap accessible and St. Lucy’s will have an interpreter for the deaf present for the talk. For more information, visit https://beatitudescenter.org/about-john-dear/.
