We desire for peace. So many of talks about need for peace themselves show that there is an absence of peace. These talks go on in the context of family, mental health, companies, and on international levels. While the search for peace is everywhere, genuine peace remains one of the ambiguous realities of our contemporary world. Perhaps, it is because we define peace as a smooth track to achieve our own interests. In reality, humanity is starving for authentic peace.
Peace
is not just an absence of conflicts; peace necessarily ensures life. Pope
Francis often emphasised that peace is an attitude of the heart, an
openness to life, a disposition to welcome the other. Peace cannot remain an
inner comfort, it also involves the lives of the other. When peace is desired,
whether as an individual, family or a society, it naturally creates a culture
that welcomes, protects, and nurtures life in all its dimensions including the
life of nature. Where peace exists, life grows; where peace is absent, life is
devalued and destroyed. It is also on the other way; where there is openness to
life, an attitude of welcoming instead of suspecting, where there is genuine
love, peace begins to sprout. When we are free to pursue truth, goodness, and
justice, peace arises naturally.
When
freedom is equated with a right to do whatever one pleases, gratify any
desire, or assert power over others it disrupts peace. Peace established under
domination, or forced submission is not peace at all. True peace is built on
mutual responsibility, justice, reconciliation, and shared dignity. We were
created out of the love of God the Father, and we live as brothers and sisters.
That is the foundation of building peace.
St.
Thérèse of child Jesus whose feast we celebrate today, shows a spiritual path
for achieving interior and exterior peace through absolute trust in God's
providence. There, peace can be related to the confidence of the little child
who sleeps without fear in its father’s arms. If we honestly observe,
much of the anxiety and conflict in our lives comes from our desperate attempt
to control every outcome. The success of a project, victory of war, winning
court case, my argument in a society-discussion we want them all on our side.
Conflicts often remain unresolved not because of the issue itself, but we don’t
want to give up, we want to win, and defend our pride. defensive debates become
part of our daily attitudes. Where does peace begin then? In all that we have
reflected so far, Peace Begins from little moments of trust, humility, and acts
of love. Though these may sound too soft, and may be neglected easily, these
principles offer a true path for resolving interpersonal conflicts, and
cultivating peace in family homes and modern workplaces. Every family,
community or workplace may have challenging situations or members who irritate
us. Of course it is a struggle. It may be a great effort assisted with grace to
treat the so-called difficult people with the greatest warmth and kindness.
Often,
peace is not our first option. We wrongly think that overpowering or defeating
is what sustains us. In fact, a conflict environment itself is destructive.
What we need is a peace culture which may shape our attitudes, behaviours and
relationships. We often think peacebuilding requires grand gestures or major
interventions. The reality of peace is an outcome of small-level choices. May
be let us focus on small acts of restraining ourselves, quiet service, and
interior calm. May be let us avoid a sharp reply, an irritating sarcasm, or
unnecessary criticism.
peace
is not something we win by conquering others, but a gift we receive when we
learn to surrender our pride and rest in the Father’s love. Angels sang of
peace for people of good will. By making room for one another in kindness and
trust, we become the very prophets of peace our world so desperately needs. It
is truly prophetic today dear brothers and sisters, because peace does not
bring any profit in this competing economic world, but conflicts create huge
profit.
