January 1, 2023 - Pastor Message
04/26/2024THE YEAR OF MISSION
THE MISSION TO WORK FOR PEACE
The title of this column is “From the Pastor’s Desk”, but that does not mean that it necessarily has to come from the pastor’s pen. From time to time I like to offer reflections not my own but that I believe will be spiritually beneficial to our parish community. Today, on the feast of Mary, the Mother of God, and the World Day of Prayer for Peace, I offer a reflection on the way to peace by the fathers of the Second Vatican Council in the document, Gaudium et Spes (77). May these words inspire us to work ever more diligently for peace in our time of conflict, war, and division, and lead all those we encounter and beyond to humbly bow down in love and homage to the Prince of Peace, Jesus, our Lord.
“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. Peace results from that order structured into human society by its divine Founder, and actualized by people as they thirst after ever greater justice. The common good of humanity finds its ultimate meaning in the eternal law. But since the concrete demands of this common good are constantly changing as time goes on, peace is never attained once and for all, but must be built up ceaselessly. Moreover, since the human will is unsteady and wounded by sin, the achievement of peace requires a constant mastering of passions and the vigilance of lawful authority.
But this is not enough. This peace on earth cannot be obtained unless personal well-being is safeguarded and people freely and trustingly share with one another the riches of their inner spirits and their talents. A firm determination to respect other people and peoples and their dignity, as well as the studied practice of brotherhood and sisterhood are absolutely necessary for the establishment of peace. Hence peace is likewise the fruit of love, which goes beyond what justice can provide.
That earthly peace which arises from love of neighbor symbolizes and results from the peace of Christ which radiates from God the Father. For by the cross the incarnate Son, the Prince of Peace, reconciled all people with God. By thus restoring all people to the unity of one people and one body, He slew hatred in His own flesh; and, after being lifted on high by His resurrection, He poured forth the spirit of love into the hearts of people…
Insofar as people are sinful, the threat of war hangs over them, and hang over them it will until the return of Christ. But insofar as people vanquish sin by a union of love, they will vanquish violence as well and make these words come true: "They shall turn their swords into plough-shares, and their spears into sickles. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (Isaiah 2:4).”
Fr. Marc Stockton
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