Reflection
Jesus’ parting gift to his disciples was peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (John 14: 27) True peace is the fruit of justice which ensures full respect for the dignity of every human person and the just distribution of benefits and burdens in the world. It flows from the divine order of right relationships established for the common good.
Peace is more than the absence of war….it is appropriately called “the effect of righteousness” (Is. 32: 17) It is the fruit of that right ordering of things with which the divine founder has invested human society and which must be actualized by man thirsting for an ever more perfect reign of justice …Peace cannot be obtained on earth unless the welfare of humankind is safeguarded and people freely and trustingly share with one another the riches of their minds and their talents…Peace on earth… flows from love of one’s neighbor, symbolized and derived from the peace of Christ.” (Gaudium et Spes, 78.)
Religious leaders throughout history have written, spoken, and advocated for peace. Pope John Paul II wrote that there is no peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness. We live in a world fractured by war, violence, violations of human rights and human dignity, and a denial of freedom to individuals and whole populations. The lack of peace abides not only among nations, but within families and communities as well.