Peace

"Peace is not merely the absence of war; nor can it be reduced solely to the maintenance of a balance of power between enemies; nor is it brought about by dictatorship. Instead, it is rightly and appropriately called an enterprise of justice."  So declared the bishops gathered at the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960's. It seems as though our world is always in some state of turmoil. War, violence, conflict, and hatred continue to be inflicted upon our brothers and sisters.

At the root of these calamities is a lack of peace and justice. When justice is lacking, there cannot be peace. We are in great need of working together, crossing boundaries and borders to encounter the "other" and to discover that our differences do not necessarily divide us. Justice demands that we see each individual as a human being, created in love by God and endowed with rights to life and the pursuit of human flourishing. If we want peace, we must work for justice among all peoples.

We need peace! 

We cannot continue jumping from conflict to conflict, violence to violence. If only we worked together for justice in our world, then their would be peace. But this desire for peace and justice cannot be achieved by us alone. It requires an openness to the "other" and a willingness to embrace the vision that the Lord has for all humanity.

And so, in light of the terrible events unfolding in France...

Agneau de Dieu, qui enlèves le péché du monde, prends pitié de nous,

Agneau de Dieu, qui enlèves le péché du monde, prends pitié de nous,

Agneau de Dieu, qui enlèves le péché du monde, donne-nous la paix.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us - grant us peace!