A family without the love of Jesus cannot grow in love as a family. Love brings joy and peace to each member of the family and to the whole family. We as a family are given the grace to live with the goodness of the Holy Spirit and the theological virtues of faith, hope and love, the greatest of these is love which comes from Jesus Christ.

In the family we learn to be more concerned about what God thinks about us rather than what people think about us. Love is life and if you miss the Lord you will miss life.

With peace the family develops and grows together in harmony, justice, humility, charity, chastity and fidelity. All of these are gifts of the Holy Spirit. In the family, through prayer we receive the grace to follow the example of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and grow in our love for one another.

The founder of true peace is Jesus Christ who promised his disciples that peace when he said, “Peace I leave with you: my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

These comforting words that Jesus gives us prepare us to be his witnesses all over the world. We take courage in the words of Jesus, “For whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my sister and brother and mother. (Matthew 12:50)

Samuel Olimpio Kenyi

Feast of the Holy Family
Sir. 3:2-6, 12-14; Colossians 3:12-17; Matthew 2:13-15; Luke 9-23
Put on as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another…

Colossians 3:12

A family is like a forest, when you are outside it is dense, when you are inside you see that each tree has its place.

African proverb

When you stand with the blessings of your mother and God, it matters not who stands against you.

Yoruba

It takes a whole village to raise a child.

African proverb

The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people.

African proverb

What you help a child to love can be more important than what you help him to learn.

African proverb

Mary, the temple of the Spirit, the Queen of Peace and Protectress of Africa, shows us Christ, our Reconciliation, our Peace.

Lineamenta African Synod, 93

There are many ways of accessing justice. In this context, I suggest restorative justice as the means to attain peace. Restorative justice is a practice whereby an offender is re-integrated into community without retribution. Restorative justice is part of African heritage. The existence of an individual depends on others in a network of relationships. Even the offender lives in community.

On behalf of the offender, the community asks for forgiveness from the victim. But the victim must open his hand to welcome the offender. Restorative justice is meant to restore broken relationships. The victim does not expect full compensation. But something symbolic is given in public to acknowledge that the offender did wrong and is ready to be forgiven and be accepted. What is important in this case is the mending of the broken relationship. Like Jesus said, “if someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matthew 5: 39-42).

In order for a win-win situation to take place the victim has to go an extra mile. Jesus reminds us to ‘bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse.” (Romans 12:14). The victim may even begin the process of healing and forgiveness. The apostle Peter came up and said to Jesus, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22) Restorative justice denounces revenge and promotes peace. This is the spirit we need in Southern Sudan as we prepare for the Referendum.

Francis Biryaho, PhD

Fourth Sunday of Advent
Micah 5:1-4; Hebrews 11:5-10; Luke 1:39-45
Blessed are you who have believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.

Luke 1:44

A smile is the beginning of peace.

Mother Teresa

Those who are at war with others are not at peace with themselves.

William Hazlett

Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel.

Justice in the World, 6

True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Corn can’t expect justice from a court composed of chickens.

African Proverb

Birth of Christ
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

Mother Teresa

This Good News promises freedom from oppression and a period of peace and well being for the voiceless, the marginalized, the insignificant members of society. The Lord listens to the cry of these ‘poor’ and comes time and again to save them and to give them his peace.

The poor ones call and the Lord hears them and saves them in time of trouble (Psalm 34: 6). The righteous — those who remain true and faithful to the Lord’s way — also cry out and the Lord hears them (Psalm 34: 17). As often as we call to him in our poverty and our need, the Lord turns his ear and gives answer. He saves his faithful servants who trust in him (Psalm 85: 1-2). What is the Lord’s response to our cries as we turn to him in our need and our troubles? What has the Lord to say? The Lord’s is a voice that speaks of peace, peace for his people and his friends — those little ones who are humble — those who turn to him in their hearts (Psalm 84: 8). Mary’s song of praise to the Lord (Luke 1:46-55) speaks of the downfall of the proud, the mighty and the rich. Seen through the eyes of the world, they might appear to triumph, but they have no peace.

Those who enjoy true peace — the year of the Lord’s favor — are those who fear the Lord, those of low degree, the hungry and the poor — the pure and simple of heart. Mary invites us today to be part of that little flock, the small remnant of Israel who remain true and faithful and who will be blessed today and always with the Lord’s blessings of peace.

Fr. Paul Hannon, MAfr.

Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44
They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.

Isaiah 35:4

The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.

Mother Teresa

Love for widows and orphans. prisoners, and the sick and needy of every kind, is as essential as the ministry of the sacraments and preaching of the Gospel.

Pope Benedict XVI Deus Caritas Est, #22

The joys and the hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the people of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ.

Gaudium et Spas

Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?

Martin Luther King, Jr.

You give little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

Kahil Gibran

The Christian faithful are also obliged to promote social justice, and mindful of the precept of the Lord, to assist the poor from their own resources.

Canon Law #222

The Christian message of reconciliation begins with reminding ourselves that it is God who brings about healing and reconciliation in our lives, and that this healing and reconciliation has been entrusted to the Christian community as a special ministry.

Saint Paul puts it this way: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away: see everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Cor. 5:17-18).

What does this mean? When we look at the terrible things that have happened, the loss of life and loved ones, the cruelty done to people, the hatred and division we do not know where to begin to heal such deep wounds. Our faith tells us that it is God who brings the healing, because only God can encompass the pain and suffering of so many people. God then works through us, as ministers of reconciliation, to make this healing possible.

So what is the ministry of reconciliation and how are we its ministers? It begins with our deep communion with this loving God, who helps us find the way through the sorrow and the loss. That spiritual bond helps us to see things as God sees them, and to take action that will bring about the healing God intends.

Through the years we have learned much about healing painful memories, walking on the road to forgiveness, and sustaining hope along the way. These make up the ministry of reconciliation. These are things we can learn, if we also learn how to dwell in God’s grace and learn how to see where God is working.

Robert Schreiter. C.PP.S.

Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12
There shall be no harm or ruin on my holy mountain; for Earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as water covers the sea.

Isaiah 11

Reconciliation is to understand both sides; to go to one side and describe the suffering being endured by the other side, and then go to the other side and describe the suffering being endured by the first side.

Pope Paul VI World Peace Day Message 1974

If you bring your gift to the altar and there recall that your brother or sister has anything against you, leave your gift at the altar, go first and be reconciled to your brother or sister and then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 5:23-24

Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.

Luke 2:19

To engage in conflict, one does not bring a knife that cuts, but a needle that sews.

Lifelines, the Black Book of Proverbs

International Day of Human Rights
Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed and where individuals and nations are free.

14th Dalai Lama

There is more wickedness in refusing to reconcile than in fighting.

African proverb

There is an African proverb which states: “He who forgives ends the quarrel.” Forgiveness is far better than revenge. Forgiveness builds us up and helps us move on; whereas revenge destroys and creates bitterness. Forgiving helps us to heal our own wounds.

Some people consider those who forgive to be weak or to be cowards or stupid. But there is much wisdom in the English proverb: “The noblest vengeance is to forgive” The gospels (Matthew 18:21-35) tell us that God is always ready and willing to forgive, even the most serious faults of people. Now, if this is the behavior of our God, we do not have any pretext to deny anyone our forgiveness. The parable of the prodigal son reveals explicitly God’s desire to restore a loving relationship with people. By forgiving us our faults God empowers us to become like Him (Matthew 5: 48). Jean Paul Richter wrote the insightful words: “Humanity is never so beautiful as when praying for forgiveness or else forgiving another.”

When we forgive we are imitating our loving God. When we ‘change our hearts’ and forgive, we change ourselves and we ‘change our world’ for the better. This is how we translate the life and message of Jesus into our daily lives. Our situation in Sudan invites us to this change of heart if we want a changed world. Hence, we are invited to be courageous enough to break down the walls (cultural, social, political, religious, psychological, and economical) that hinder us to forgive ourselves and others and hence reconcile for the building of a just and peaceful society.

Louis Okot, MCCJ

First Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44
They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.

Isaiah 2

Allow your wounds of long years to be healed. This is not only for the past but also for the present and the future.

Robert Schreiter

Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation: the old order is gone and a new being is there to see.

2 Cor5:17

Those who think of themselves as victims eventually become victimizers.

Chief Albert Lutuli of South Africa

Do not allow yourself to be an eternal prisoner of the victimization of others.

John Ashworth

I am the light of the world: anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark but will have the light of life.

Jn.8:12

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

Mahatma Ghandi

One of the many reasons goes back to the truth stated by Jesus to Pontius Pilot, “my kingdom is not of this world” and later on, “just as you say, I am a king…to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is on the side of truth hears my voice.”(John 18: 33-38) What kind of ‘kingdom’ is Jesus talking about? If His kingdom is not of this world why should it be rejected or opposed? Jesus wanted to establish an eternal kingdom in the world but not of the world.

Jesus was tempted like us but did not sin. “Your faith has saved you, go in peace” is the refrain in Jesus’ deeds. To bring about universal and everlasting peace Jesus died as an innocent and just leader. He lived out his teaching to “love your enemies” and on the cross says: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”.

After his resurrection, Christ says to the Apostles: “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you, receive the Holy Spirit! Those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; those sins you retain, they are retained.” (John 20: 19-23) His message is rule by being servant, conquer by forgiving sins and painful betrayals, denounce falsehoods and injustices, give priority to those who feel rejected. Christ, through his Church, says “your sins are forgiven, go in peace.”

The peace of Christ brings an eternal kingdom through the Holy Spirit and not according to the flesh. Those who live by the Holy Spirit construct peace by TRUTH, JUSTICE, FAITH, WORD OF GOD and PRAYER at all times. (Ephesians 6: 12-18) “Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5: 9)

Fr. Paul Annis, MCCJ

Feast of Christ the King
2 Samuel 5:1-3; Colossians 1:12-20; Luke 23:35-43
For in Him were created all things in heaven and on Earth, the visible and the invisible.

Co1ossians:1:16

Peace is not something you wish for: it is something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away.

Robert Fulghum

Peace is costly but it is worth the price.

African proverb

Let us forgive each other, only then will we live in peace.

Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy

All we are saying is give peace a chance.

John Lennon

Peace I leave with you: my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27

You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless she/he has freedom.

Malcolm X

Forgiveness always entails a sacrifice. Desmond Tutu reminds us that forgiveness is not about forgetting or condoning what has happened. In fact, it is important to remember so that something similar may not happen again. In addition, forgiveness means taking what has happened seriously, “drawing out the sting in the memory that threatens to poison our entire existence.” When we do this we are ready to accompany others on the road that leads to peace.

Leadership for peace requires a person to be a peace builder no matter what the cost. It involves using skills like discernment, encouragement, intervention and negotiation. It is demanding and courageous work. When our hearts gradually expand to include “the other” we want “shalom” for our neighbor, for strangers and even for our enemies. We want to join hands with others and forge a new solidarity, a new way of living which is “a great sea-change on the far side of revenge.”

Our Christian faith calls us to be ambassadors of reconciliation and peace, actors in time and space, urged on by the vision of the Kingdom “to open wide our hearts” (2 Cor. 6:13) and work together to renew the face of the earth.

Sr Patricia Murray, IBVM

Ma1achi 3a19-20; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21:5-19

By your perseverance you will be saved.

Luke 21:19

The best teacher is the one who suggests rather than dogmatizes, and inspires the listener with the wish to teach himself/herself.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton

International Day of Tolerance
Unity implies that no group can feel superior to another.

Lineamenta #79 African Synod

Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.

George Patton

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.

John Quincy Adams

If you cannot obey, you cannot be a good leader.

Aristotle

International Day of the Child
Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of us.

Rabindranath Tagore

Recall the words of Pope Benedict XVI on 1 January 2010 saying, “If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation. Twenty years earlier Pope John Paul II wrote, “In our day there is a growing awareness that world peace is threatened … also by a lack of due respect for nature.” Any relationship of peace begins with respect which often involves the ability to see beyond the surface.

Someone wrote of St. Francis, “In beautiful things he sees Beauty itself.” When we seek out the beauty of nature and try to protect it, and when we seek out the beauty of each person and try to protect them, we will find God, the Beautiful One. Sometimes a change of heart is asked of us but that is often the price of peace.

Today care for life growing in hidden places! Today beautify your surroundings in some small way! Today reach out to someone and increase peace with creation and with your God!

Jeanette Gaudet, MFIC

2 Mc:1-2, 9-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5; Luke 20:27-38

But the Lord is faithful: He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

And God saw all that had been created and said, “It is good.”

Genesis 1

World peace is threatened by a lack of due respect for nature, by the plundering of natural resources and by a progressive decline in the quality of life.

Pope John Paul II in the World Day of Peace Message, 1990

While I know myself as a creation of God, I am also obligated to realize and remember that everyone else and everything else are also God’s creation.

Maya Angelo

If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation.

Pope Benedict in the World Peace Day Message 2010

Protecting the natural environment in order to build a world of peace is thus a duty incumbent upon each and all.

Pope Benedict in the World Day of Peace Message 2010

God destined the earth and all it contains for all people and nations so that all created things would be shared fairly by all humankind under the guidance of justice tempered by charity.

USA Bishop’s Conference

Look at the word of Jesus in Luke Chapter 6: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hurt you.” Hate multiplies hate. Violence multiplies violence. Love is the only energy capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.
We befriend an enemy by forgiveness and not by hate and revenge. Only love can drive out hate. Martin Luther King said: “Whoever is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power of love.”

An Ancient Tale
There is an ancient tale about a grandfather who explains to his grandson that within every person there are two lions: one is the lion of anger, resentment, jealousy, competition and fear. The other lion, through suffering, has learned to live in peace and harmony with the other animals, to show compassion and respect to those who are different from oneself.

The grandson asks his grandfather which lion will win within him and the grandfather answers: “The one you feed.” We need to help each other to choose again and again to feed the lion of PEACE within us if we are to be among those who are rebuilding our world with love and peace.

Which lion will win in you?

with permission Bishop Taban Paride; www.kuronvillage.net

Wis.11:22-12:2; 2 Thessalonians1:11-22; Luke 19:1-10

But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things: and you overlook our sins so that we may repent.

Wis.11:23

Feast of All Saints

Today, remember all the saints who were peacemakers. If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty give him to drink.

Romans 12:20

If you want to make peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.

Moshe Dayan

Be of the same mind toward one another: do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Romans 12:16

What you see and the way you love makes a difference. You can either increase the world’s happiness or add to its sorrow.

Joseph Kentenish

What I fear is being in the presence of evil and doing nothing. I fear that more than death.

Otilia de Koster, Panamanian Human Rights Worker

Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

Ephesians 4:30

To solve it, one needs to identify an elder, venue, and time. The chosen elder (or elders) listens carefully in a constructive way, and then asks some questions. The guilty one apologizes while the other accepts the apology.

As a sign of reconciliation, the elder pours water on the heads of the two involved in the argument, while saying, “This problem is thrown into the river,” meaning that the problem has ended.

Alternatively, the elder gets a specific type of vegetable, called giri, he bites it and passes it to the two who had the problem and they each bite the giri. The elder then says, “Let coldness come between you,” meaning let peace come between you.

In the case of a bigger problem, a “he goat” is killed and the substance in the stomach is mixed with water and then put on the foreheads of the two in the argument. The elder then throws a bit of the mixture toward the west while saying, “let this problem set with the sun,” meaning let it end at that very moment.

Doing all of this is difficult; it is not easy to get elders; it is expensive and shameful so usually the act will not be repeated.

Similarly Jesus had to endure all our shame on the cross, once and for all by shedding His blood. He emptied Himself totally when water and blood flowed from His side to reconcile us with our Creator. Praise God we have been reconciled and are now the sons and daughters of God.

Sr. Jane Onzia – Sacred Heart Sisters

Ecc1esiastes 35:12-14, 16-19; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14

The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safely to the heavenly kingdom.

2 Timothy 4:18

Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

John Wesley

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtfully committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.

Margaret Mead

If you give yourself totally to the nonviolent struggle for peace and justice you also find that people give you their hearts and you will never go hungry and never be alone.

Cesar Chavez

Our children are not born to hate, they are raised to hate.

Thomas della Perut

The most important question in the world is, Why is the child crying?

Moe Walker

Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

Ephesians 4:30