Nobel prize

Last week President Obama accepted the Nobel Peace Prize with an eloquent and challenging speech. He took the occasion to address the concept of the "just war," essentially indicating that there are circumstances in which nations are compelled to take up arms in self-defense or to redress the oppression of others. Calling on his exceptional sense of history and oratorical gifts, the president recognized that despite our yearning for peace and the end of hostilities, there are times when justice requires economic sanctions, "painstaking diplomacy" and armed conflict in dealing with rogue nations and/or terrorist groups. Yet he maintained that, "We do not have to live in an idealized world to still reach for those ideals that will make it a better place." His realism was couched in terms of the need to aspire to a human dignity and freedom for all.

To be nominated and to accept this award must surely have been difficult and awkward for Mr. Obama. As he noted at the outset of his speech, he is comparatively new as a figure on the world stage, his country is currently at war on two fronts, and there are many others in the world who, because of their personal sacrifices and commitments, may be more deserving. I myself had questions as to whether or not he should have accepted the prize. But I believe he has responded to this opportunity in a most commendable way, and he has shown himself in this speech to be a wise statesman for his country and for the world. He referred several times to the non-violent example and ideals of Ghandi and King, but he made it clear that from his perspective as a state leader that he must be guided not only by their ideals, but also by the "enlightened self-interest" of the nation he represents, and the world community.

In this season, Christians meditate most especially on the coming of the Prince of peace, Jesus Christ. He, too, was a realist: there would be wars and rumors of wars. And while his ministry and message sharply divided folks, and continues to spark controversy even today, those who know the teachings of Jesus recognize readily that he embodied the ideal of peace, justice and compassion toward which humanity should strive.