On December 7 at 9am, Pax Christi together with Incarnate Word Sisters Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation joined together to create a space for peace in Madeleine room of the Heritage building.
We remembered the people who died in Gaza-Israel 13-month-old war that has surpassed 44,000 death toll as reported by the region's local health officials on December 5. One-third of these casualties are children. We remembered the 104,268 wounded people since the start of the war. It has said the real toll is higher because thousands of bodies are buried under rubble or in areas that medics cannot access.
In June, Ukrainian officials said “Russian invaders” had killed more than 12,000 civilians, including 551 children. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) reported in February that more than 10,200 civilians had been confirmed as killed, with nearly 20,000 injured. The London-based Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) charity reported that 7,001 people had been killed in Ukraine as of September 23, with more than 20,000 civilians injured.
Eighty-three years ago, on December 7, 1941, the Empire of Japan attacked the United States Navy based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Although Europe was steeped in World War II since September 1939, the United States remained unscathed and only partially involved through its lend-lease program. For precautionary measures, between July 1940 and December 1941, the armed forces swelled from 291,000 to 1,655,000 while actively recruiting 131,000 medical personnel. The Japanese attack damaged 339 war planes, 21 American ships, and took the lives of 2,403 people. Although Pearl Harbor was a human tragedy and the magnitude of its impact on everyday civilians could never be calculated, the attack did not represent the largest loss of life in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Iwo Jima, for example, lost 6,000 soldiers to the battle and Okinawa lost more than 12,000. Two battleships were lost and considered not salvageable–the USS Arizona and the Oklahoma which had entered circulation in 1913.
The late Dr. Martin Luther King collaborated with leaders for a lasting peace. His leadership, vision, eloquent speech, and powerful message brought people together towards justice and peace. He left us something to ponder:
"We will not build a peaceful world by following a negative path. It is not enough to say we will not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it. We must concentrate not merely on the negative expulsion of war, but on the positive affirmation of peace."
In this season of Advent, let us ponder on the Sunday's Gospel and reflect on the invitation to work towards Advent's message of hope, peace, joy, and love. Below are reflections of the Pax Christi members and Incarnate Word Sisters.
by Karen Ball, Pax Christi Texas
I had 3 musings/ponderings:
1. Jesus refused to play by the rules of the empire. His disobedience to power of empire, both of religious and state authority, led to his execution at the colluding hands of both.
2. Acknowledging the historical date that this prayer for peace was taking place on (Pearl Harbor), I asked us to ponder how the United States could have been awake to the interconnection of life. I mused that as a nation we could have chosen neither isolationism nor armed conflict, but instead chosen to openly welcome Jewish refugees and provide care and sanctuary.
3. I recognized that the United States is AN EMPIRE and invited us as citizens to organize disruptions to the abuses of the United States nation state and Christian nationalism. How can we be watchful to refuse collusion with powers of empire (love of power) and be awake to opportunities for nonviolence evolving (power of incarnate love)?
Our collective hope and joy live in and through the power of universal, ever expanding love.
by S. Marylou Rodriguez, CCVI JPIC US Collaborator
In Luke 3:1-6, we can see the two opposites of the world. Those who desire and enjoy worldly power for their own sake and those with the inner power of contemplation that brings goodness to the world. John received the inspiration from God in the desert. It is that time of reflecting in the quiet, arid, and dry environment when he was moved by something Holy. He started proclaiming what is good, to turn away from what is not good. The holiness of God invited John to go to where the people were so that he could preach the call of their times. What is the prophetic witness and what message are we invited to share with our neighbors, friends, and family? John lived God's calling. He was eating honey and locust. His clothes were not lavished with gold or perfume, but he was united with the simplicity of nature. He called people to prepare for God, repent, and change their lives. In the light of peace, he brought others to Christ. It was not about him but for him to point to Christ while Christ pointed to our God.
Amidst the arid parts of our lives, this is an invitation to create a space of peace. Let us be mindful that in other parts of the world or other places, some long for peace as war continues to wreck people's lives and the environment. Some people are grieving because their loved ones are no longer to be found or have gone to their eternal rest, for their homes that are supposed to be safe places to gather have been turned down into gravel, stones, and stacks of wood.
How are the taxpayers, the common American people where weapons, artillery, and firearms are being manufactured, the organization leaders, and national and world leaders, participating in this war, violence, and degradation of the value of human lives?
How can we partake in peace-building efforts?
What lifestyle are we called to practice so that we can witness what God is asking us to exemplify to those around us?
by S. Eilish Ryan, CCVI, UIW Professor Emerita
The gospel (Matthew 17:9a, 10-13) for Gaudete Sunday opens with the crowd crying out to John the Baptist, "What are we to do?"
As often happens with lectionary readings, the verses before the proclaimed text provide the background. John had accused the crowds of being a "brood of vipers," and had admonished them to "produce fruit with repentance."
In today's text, John indicates what to do through some practical examples: provide for the basic needs of others, act honestly in carrying out one's duties, and exercise authority with justice and truth, not for personal gain.
How do I hear and follow John's message in my life and in today's world?
by Arthur Dawes, Pax Christi Texas President
The Visitation (Luke 1: 39) is a story nestled by St. Luke between the Annunciation (Chapter 1:26) and the Magnificat (Chapter 1:46). To Catholics, the Annunciation and the Visitation are known as the first and second mysteries of the Rosary.
The story presents Mary as visited by the angel. Mary affirmatively responds to the message: "Thou shall be with a child."
Then following this Visitation to her cousin Elizabeth for three months, Mary returns and boldly affirms "My soul magnifies the Lord." Luke 1:46
Any fourteen-year-old, by any stretch of our imaginations today, is very young. In haste, she traveled four miles (by herself?) to visit her older cousin, Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit whose baby leaped at the sight of Mary.
Here we have bonds of family, maternal and family support. We have emotion and energy: Mary "set out in haste", Elizabeth "cried out with a loud voice," the baby in Elizabeth's womb "leaped for joy."
They all shared, they all visited. They were there for one another. Like the times in Nazareth, we too face uncertainty, and many have anxiety. We seek a time to reflect and also a time to be present to one another. For within ourselves as well as in the community, we can find support, where the Spirit resides. In Pax Christi, let us find words of spirit and action, as our motto: Pray, Study, Act.
Like Mary and Elizabeth... May we find consolation in the miracles in our lives and in community. Let us console one another and embrace Hope and Trust in God.
May we too feel and shout, leap for joy, and share stories (scriptures) with one another.
Especially in this Advent time of anticipation, and uncertainty, let us not forget our brothers and sisters who are struggling. Let us remember that ministry is a form of worship to our Loving God.
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