Violence in its many and varied forms surrounds us in our world today. We are called to transform our own lives, our communities, and our country through nonviolence and just peace. On behalf of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation, we encourage you to take time for reflection and prayer to help us respond to the call of the Incarnate Word at this time.
Print version: http://bit.do/cWsuv
Setting:
Create a small altar in the center of your group
with symbols of peace from your culture, one large candle lit in the center,
and smaller unlit candles around the larger one.
Leader: Every day, we
hear of issues—such as war, terrorism, or social violence—that affect us and
our brothers and sisters around the world. The problems can seem so complex
that they can leave us paralyzed, overwhelmed, or even numb. We may wonder,
“What can I possibly do?”
Reader
1: In his
message for the 50th World Day of Peace, celebrated on January 1, 2017, Pope
Francis urges us to overcome such challenges by replacing cautiousness with
courage and cynicism with hope. This year Pope Francis has asked Catholics to
focus on Christian nonviolence as a style of politics for peace. He says in his opening statement, “I wish
peace to every man, woman and child, and I pray that the image and likeness of
God in each person will enable us to acknowledge one another as sacred gifts
endowed with immense dignity. Especially in situations of conflict, let us
respect this, our “deepest dignity”, and make active nonviolence our way of
life.”
Reader
2: In our
families, schools, and institutions, we must learn the things that make for
peace. There are effective Christian ways to counter war, terrorism, and social
and domestic violence that can be accomplished without resorting to violence or
military options. We must reach out to engage in positive encounters with our
neighbors, in civil dialogue for the common good, and building skills to
address these problems in meaningful ways.
Working together, we can creatively build “cultures of peace” and our
churches can become places of peacemaking in our communities.
Scripture
Reading: John 14: 26-27
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom
the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you
of everything I have told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do
not be afraid.”
Questions
for Reflection and Sharing:
- What can you do to affirm the
centrality of active nonviolence in the message of Jesus, the life of the
Catholic Church, and to the calling to be part of the healing and reconciling
of both people and our earth?
- How might the Holy Spirit be
calling our faith community to be active and creative peacemakers?
Witnesses
for peace and nonviolence
Leader: Loving Creator and giver of all life, We thank you for the many
people who have gone before us:
Reader 2 For those who have lived out Jesus’ example of love
Reader 1 For those who have worked tirelessly to make sure that all people
are treated with dignity
Reader 2 For those who have taught us how to pray
Reader 1 For those who have shown us how to forgive
Reader 2 For those who helped us to cross boundaries
Reader 1 For those who have tried to live your way of nonviolence
Reader 2 For those who have lived out your kingdom of justice, love and
peace
Reader 1 We name them now before you…
(People can be invited to
come forward to light a candle and, if they wish, name out loud a person who
has been an example of peacemaking for them.)
Leader: We know that we do not go alone, for the path is brightened by
those who have gone before us. May our lives also be a shining example to
others. We ask the Incarnate Word to give us courage, strength and wisdom to be
artisans of peace and nonviolence. When we are afraid, help us to remember your
words, ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.’
Closing
Prayer
PRAYER FOR CONVERSION TO GOSPEL
NONVIOLENCE:
Blessed are the peacemakers, you said, O
Lord, for they shall be called children of God. We ask you, Lord, to forgive us
for the times we’ve caused division or misunderstanding in our communities. We
know that communion is not achieved through violence, but through constant
conversion. We ask the grace to not speak ill, not criticize, not to be sowers
of strife, so that peace can reign in our hearts. From this conversion of the
heart, Lord, lead us to a conversion in actions. First in our hearts, then in
our world incarnate the power of gospel nonviolence. Give us the imagination to
overcome all forms of violence with creative nonviolence. Revive in our
church’s theology of peace the nonviolent message of Jesus, that once again our
churches may be centers of learning for nonviolence and just peace, centers of
conversion from violence to peace, and from loneliness to joy. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment