Violence, No More!

      Each week we see an escalation of violent threats between the North Korea and the United States. In the middle of these threats between President Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un there are many people emphasizing dialogue. Among those urging dialogue and negotiation is Pope Francis. He and many other Catholic leaders, and leaders of other denominations and faith traditions, have offered different ideas about how the nations may speak to one another. The escalation of violent threats and nuclear bombings is nearly beyond comprehension in our contemporary world.
      Our elected leaders and those whom they choose to serve with them owe us the certainty that they will do everything possible to avoid violent conflict. Men and women who serve in our military did not sign up to fight on behalf of those who are too proud or arrogant to avoid war. And, as Catholic Christians who follow the teachings and example of Christ, we are dedicated to peacemaking and reconciliation at the very foundation of our faith. We must do our part to preserve life, to seek peace, to form relationships with others, even the stranger, and to love our so-called “enemies” and pray for them.
      We must also be aware of those people who are living with real violence on a daily basis. Parishioners from Venezuela have come to me asking for prayer for their homeland. We know that the country is enduring a deep crisis. Venezuela's 30 million people are suffering; many are starving and unable to access basic medicine. More than 120 people have been killed this year by government forces. The Vatican and the Venezuelan bishops have been very critical of President Nicolás Maduro’s inability to maintain peace and respond to the profound needs of the populace.
      As followers of Christ we must pay attention to the world in which we live. We can make a difference in bringing peace to the world, to our local community. According to “Gun Violence Archive” there have been over 9000 gun related deaths so far in 2017 in the United States. This does not include suicide by gun. Drug use, domestic violence, and other actions account for many other violent deaths.
      As a church, as a community of faith, and as individuals we must step forward with courage to confront the easy use of violence as a means to solve conflict. Violence, no more!
Peace, Fr. Andy