WE ARE ALL CALLED TO CONTINUE OUR J0URNEY AS PEACE-MAKERS
Sr. Brenda Walsh, OP
Each year, there is a special call to renew our pledge to continue
our journey as peacemakers. The United Nations sets aside a day
designated to creating a peaceful world. All are invited to
promote the ideals of peace and to give positive evidence of
their commitment to peace-making in all viable ways.
Peace is badly needed all over the world today. The call to
practice and live peacefully is for all human beings regardless
of their age or condition. What are some of the ways that groups
can be engaged in creating a just, harmonious and inclusive
society? The first and most important thing is to pray and
reflect on the meaning of this virtue and ways to be involved in
creating it. Invite God to remove all the barriers in our minds
and hearts, and allow God to fill them with light, hope and
peace. Include all people in this endeavor. They can be
children, adults of all ages, people of different cultures and
religious affiliations. What are some of the ways they can be
involved in peace-making? Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of the
United Nations once said that for educators, “it is not enough
to teach children to read, write and converse. We must teach
them to have respect for themselves, for others and for the
world in which we live.” Children can create posters about their
efforts at peace-making and share their good news with others.
Teach children ways to be respectful of each other and share
their plans for peace-making. Conflict Resolution skills are now
taught in many schools and can help children acquire skills that
are useful for life in many different ways.
Mahatma Gandhi once said that “We must be the change we want to see
happen.” We can all learn ways to address anger and resentment
and learn how to relate peacefully in our interactions. We can
also write to legislators and explain to them that violence only
begets more violence. Write letters to the editors of local
newspapers and support peace –making endeavors that we see in
progress. . All people can be taught to use their diverse gifts
to bring peace to our world. Look at the causes of violence and
work to challenge them. Often our society and nation use
violence as a way of solving problems.
What kind of world do we want to leave to future generations? Then
call groups together to decide what part they will play in
creating it. No effort is too small to make a difference. We
need a new vision, a new way of seeing and being and doing. By
working in and through the power of the Spirit, we can
accomplish great things to create a hope -filled and peaceful
world. We are reminded that God’s power working in us and
through us, can help us can do infinitely more than we dare ask
or imagine.
Pope Francis passionately reminded people about our call to be
peacemakers and create the kind of world God has in mind for all
people. He said that ” it is evident that peace is the only
true direction of human progress, and not the tensions caused by
ambitious nationalism, nor conquests by violence.” To proclaim
peace is the same as to announce Jesus Christ. “He is our
peace.”(Eph.11:14).Through His Sacrifice on the Cross, Jesus
brought universal reconciliation, and we are called to be
reconcilers, as His followers.” Loving God, guide our feet on
the path of peace.
As followers of Dominic, we are called to follow his example and
way of life by going into dark and dreary places, and holding
high the Torch of Truth and bringing the light of God to all
people. Then we can mirror God’s mercy and love wherever we are.
May we have the courage to live Dominic’s daring dream and know
that with God’s unfailing help, the mission can be
accomplished.
Preaching
is at the heart of the Dominican vocation. The Dominican Leadership Conference
claims for all members of the Dominican Family the right to preach, and commits
itself to the struggle this claim entails. The injustices of our day compel us
to place the charism of preaching at the service of the poor and powerless. The
Dominican prophetic message, rooted in experience, study and prayer, will move
both preachers and hearers of the word to act for the transformation of
oppressive structures. The Conference on its part will act corporately,
confronting evil with the Gospel and working for the construction of a just
world order.
