(January 1, 2014)
Peace refers to well-being of daily existence; a state of living in harmony with nature, others and God. It is associated with happiness, salvation, justice and blessing.
Pope Francis’ message for World Day of Peace: Fraternity as foundation and pathway to peace.
Basis of fraternity is found in God’s fatherhood, his specific and personal love for each man and woman. Humans are unable to generate fraternity by themselves; it is regenerated in and by Jesus Christ through his death and resurrection.
Violence occurs when there is lack of fraternity: In South Sudan, the Dinka ethnic group support President Salva Kiir while the Nuer ethnic group support former Vice-President Riek Mahar. 180 000 people displaced and 1000 people killed.
The first reading (Num 6:22-27) is a formula for blessing, semitic way of expressing divine favour by invoking the Lord’s name 3 times: Peace is a gift from God.
The gospel passage (Lk 2:16-21) mentions twice a message that the angels told to the shepherds about the child. The saviour born is Christ and Lord, and God will give peace to those on whom his favour rests.
The second reading (Gal 4:4-7) gives the basis for fraternity. There are two aspects of salvation: freedom from sin (negative) and adoption as children (positive).
FR. EDMOND EH KIM CHEW, OP
St.; Dominic’s Priory