Kingdoms in Conflict

My professor has reminded us a number of times that the hope and desire that many people have that the various world religions can just live together in peace isn't at all what is desired by some of our Muslim brothers and sisters (some Christian and some Jewish brothers and sisters as well). We were reminded of that conflict again today in our visit to Nazareth. In the middle of this now bustling city we spent time at the Church of the Annunciation. As we exited for our walk to the bus, we stopped just outside the Church and looked at this sign. A few years ago it was decided that a mosque should be built right beside the Church of the Annunciation -- a very holy place of worship for our Catholic brothers and sisters. This mosque would tower over the church and the call to prayer would loudly echo into it five times a day. It is only because of a plea from the Vatican itself that construction was halted. This sign was erected when the construction stopped.

I paused to consider our response as Christians. Jesus taught and then modeled a response of love. Yes, we have an urgent message to proclaim to this world and we have a kingdom to usher in, but it is through love that his kingdom will come (remember the beatitudes?). If we could post a billboard right next to this one in response, what verse from the Bible would we put on it?