Responsibility to foster peace

“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” (Isaiah 9:6).     

How do we demonstrate the peace of Christ whose birth we celebrate at Christmas? He is the Prince of Peace! Is your life/my life oriented toward peace as a follower of Christ, as a Christian?

In our local community in recent weeks and months, there have been shootings, stabbings, and terrible car accidents by drivers who are speeding or inattentive to others around them. Internationally, the war between Ukraine and Russia brings news of terrible violence and chaos for both soldiers and innocent citizens. If we research with purpose, we will find that there are many armed conflicts around the world and nearby: Myanmar ethnic violence, Yemen and Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Eritrea, Mexico drug wars, Syria civil war, and on the streets of the United States of America there is gun violence every day!

And we repeat the words of late Advent as we near Christmas, we sing out O come, O come Emanuel! These words are a prayer of rejoicing in what is already true – God is with us! It is also a prayer for what we hope – that God’s presence would be known among women and men of peace and good will. Let us avoid being misled by those who are cheerleaders for war, or who glorify and celebrate when someone acts with vengeance toward others. We think that there is justice in vengeance. But, God says vengeance is mine! (Deut. 32:35). I believe that text to mean that human beings are never to be vengeful. If vengeance is necessary, then it is for the Lord. However, if vengeance could be justified, Jesus would have taken vengeance after his resurrection. He did not. Violence and vengeance are not part of the plan of God’s salvation, therefore we are to avoid these actions.

I am praying hard for peace in our world, in our lifetime. May Mary, Our Mother, pray for peace! May our Church be a witness for peace! May the leaders of the world recognize the responsibility that they have to foster peace and maintain it!

Peace, Fr. Andy