One of the most widely recognised and powerful symbols of the past 50 years or so has been the image of a dove carrying an olive branch. It's a universal sign of peace and opposition to war. And the olive branch itself is a sign of reconciliation and peace-making. But how many people know that this symbol and imagery come from the Bible, from the story of Noah that is today's First Reading ? In the Bible, its meaning and purpose is a little different, although the story of Noah's ark is also about peace, reconciliation between God and his people, and their salvation. It's about the Covenant God established with His people, and the promise that never again would flood waters destroy the earth. At a time when greed and selfishness and warmongering are destroying God's earth and killing so many of His people, in prayer and reflection let us remember the sign of Noah's dove, not just as a political symbol but as the prelude to a renewal of the earth and to God's covenant promise. He is with us to protect. It's our part of the bargain to make our world fruitful and develop, and grow the fruits of peace. Let us pray to be able to see that it's also often we ourselves who are the destroyers, and that there will be no peace until we all live in His love.