Each week we let Saint Pope John Paul II share meaningful signposts to spark socio-economic resolves through justice and righteousness combined with mercy and compassion; in short, love
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2: 14 NIV)
The Vatican December 1999 | It is a sign of hope that, despite many serious obstacles, initiatives for peace continue to spring up day by day, with the generous cooperation of many people. Peace is a building constantly under construction. The building up of peace involves:
– parents who are examples and witnesses of peace in their families, and who educate their children for peace;
– teachers who can pass on the genuine values present in every field of knowledge and the historical and cultural heritage of humanity;
– working men and women, who are committed to extending their age-old struggle for the dignity of work to those present-day situations which, at the international level, cry out for justice and solidarity;
– political leaders who put at the heart of their political activity and of that of their countries a firm and unwavering determination to promote peace and justice;
– those in International Organizations who, often with scarce resources, work in the front line where being “peace-makers” can involve risking their safety;
– the members of Non-Governmental Organizations who, in different parts of the world and the most varied situations, are dedicated to preventing and resolving conflicts through research and activity;
– believers, who are convinced that authentic faith is never a source of war or violence, spread convictions of peace and love through ecumenical and interreligious dialogue.
I am thinking particularly of you, dear young people, who uniquely experience the blessing of life and have a duty not to waste it. In your schools and universities, in the workplace, in leisure and sports, in all that you do, let yourselves be guided by this constant thought: peace within you and peace around you, peace always, peace with everyone, peace for everyone.
Unfortunately, to the young people who have known the tragic experience of war and who harbor sentiments of hatred and resentment, I address this plea: make every effort to rediscover the path of reconciliation and forgiveness. It is a difficult path, but it is the only one that will enable you to look to the future with hope for yourselves, your children, your countries, and all humanity.
In one of his last public addresses, Pope John XXIII spoke once more to “men of goodwill,” asking them to commit themselves to a program of peace based on “the Gospel of obedience to God, mercy, and forgiveness.” He went on to say:
“without a doubt, the bright torch of peace will run its course, igniting the joy and pouring light and grace into the hearts of people throughout the world, helping them to discover beyond all frontiers the faces of brothers and sisters, the faces of friends.”
May you, young people of the Year 2000, see in others and help them to see the faces of brothers and sisters, the faces of friends!
Read more: In This Place Together
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