O Eternal One, You who live outside of time and reside in the imperishable moment, we ask Your blessing on this new year. Help us to experience each second of life, help us not to miss that which is important.
World Day of Peace
Reflection
Peace is not merely the absence of conflict. The biblical vision of peace (Shalom) is that of one community embracing all creation. To be God’s instrument of peace is to be empty of all obstacles to peace, to relate to all others without prejudice, anger, jealousy, greed or violence. It is to meet others, human and non-human, with goodwill, care, concern and a desire to heal the wounds and differences of the past. It requires us to surrender our own selfishness. If as individuals and as a nation we sought to be instruments of this peace what could our world be like?
The World Day Of Peace 2020 theme is Good Politics at the Service of Peace.
We know that the thirst for power at any price leads to abuses and injustice. Politics is an essential means of building human community and institutions, but when political life is not seen as a form of service to society as a whole, it can become a means of oppression, marginalization and even destruction… Political office and political responsibility thus constantly challenge those called to the service of their country to make every effort to protect those who live there and to create the conditions for a worthy and just future. If exercising with basic respect for the life, freedom, and dignity of persons, political life can indeed become an outstanding form of charity.
Pope Francis
Prayer
Make me an instrument of your peace.
Action
Reflect on the meaning of peace and be aware of all the false actions and statements made in the name of peace. Join the efforts of those who try to expose these falsehoods and work toward true peace.
Suggested Reading
I am leaving you at peace. I am giving you my own peace. I am not giving it to you as the world gives. So don’t let your hearts be troubled, and don’t be afraid.
John 14:27
Political office and political responsibility thus constantly challenge those called to the service of their country to make every effort to protect those who live there and to create the conditions for a worthy and just future. If exercising with basic respect for the life, freedom, and dignity of persons, political life can indeed become an outstanding form of charity.
Pope Francis
If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.
Nelson Mandela
When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.
Jimi Hendrix
Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
In a world so torn apart by rivalry, anger, and hatred, we have the privileged vocation to be living signs of a love that can bridge all divisions and heal all wounds.
Henri Nouwen
We must face problems which do not lend themselves to easy or quick or permanent solutions. And we must face the fact that the United States is neither omnipotent nor omniscient, that we are only six percent of the world population, that we cannot impose our will upon the other ninety-four percent of mankind, that we cannot right every wrong or reverse each adversity, and that therefore there cannot be an American solution to every world problem.
John F. Kennedy
The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells Wakan-Tanka, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us. This is the real peace, and the others are but reflections of this.
The second peace is that which is made between two individuals, and the third is that which is made between two nations. But above all you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is known that true peace, which, as I have often said, is within the souls of men.
Black Elk- Oglala Sioux
Beatitudes of the Politician
Blessed be the politician with a lofty sense and deep understanding of his role.
Blessed be the politician who personally exemplifies credibility.
Blessed be the politician who works for the common good and not his or her own interest.
Blessed be the politician who remains consistent.
Blessed be the politician who works for unity.
Blessed be the politician who works to accomplish radical change.
Blessed be the politician who is capable of listening.
Blessed be the politician who is without fear.
Vietnamese Cardinal François-Xavier Nguyễn Vãn Thuận