Each month, Canon Paul Cummins, our Diocesan Administrator, shares a video reflection that we include with our diocesan newsletter. This month, Canon Paul has reflected on the topic of peace – an issue which is close to the heart of Pope Leo XIV. You can listen to the full reflection here.
“You only have to switch on the news these days and the first thing you hear is war, war in the Middle East, war in Eastern Europe, war in all sorts of different places, some better known than others and it makes me despair. I wonder what that’s all about and what we can do about it. I’m reminded of Jesus’ words to his apostles in John’s Gospel when he is saying goodbye to them, ‘peace I leave with you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, that is my gift to you’. He goes on and says ‘do not be troubled or afraid’. That gives me comfort in one sense as the Lord tells me not to be troubled by this, but he also tells us about the gift of peace – not a gift that we make of ourselves, but something that God gives to us. A God-given peace that we’re called to share with others. It makes me think how do we do that? How do we put that into practice in our own lives?
I was reminded of this by Pope Leo when the first thing he said going out onto the steps in front of St Peter’s Square was ‘Peace be with you all’, emphasising the ‘all’ which is a brave thing to do. That’s his prayer and wish following in the words of Jesus…. I’ve taken one quote from Pope Leo XVI that describes something of what we are called to be doing as Christians in today’s world about peace: ‘Our world, wounded by war, violence and injustice needs to hear the gospel message of God’s love, and to experience the reconciling power of Christ’s grace. In this sense the Church herself in all her members is increasingly called to be a missionary church that opens its arms to the world, proclaims the Word and becomes a leaven of harmony for humanity…. We are to bring to all peoples, indeed to all creatures, the Gospel promise of true and lasting peace.’
We need to be that leaven in the world. In our communities/parish communities or as individuals, we can be agents, leaven, for peace in the way in which we live. How this applies to each individual can vary dramatically depending on our opportunity and our connections with people, but I would say we need to live peacefully, in peace with others so that others may live in peace.
One of the other things that Jesus shows us is that prayer for peace is powerful. The Lord in his final prayer for his disciples, for us, says ‘may they all be one‘. Jesus was praying for peace, that we may all be one in harmony and together. Another thing we could do apart from just being leaven in today’s world, is being messengers of peace, showing people how to live peacefully. The other way is to pray for peace.
Here is a prayer from CAFOD, who do so much for peace, slightly adapted. I would ask you to follow it in your heart and to pray for peace, justice, and love to prevail:
Lord watch over the people who have been forced to flee their homes
and face violence and fear.
Lead them to a place of safety,
bring comfort to those who grieve, and bring healing to those in pain.
Convert the hearts of those who commit violence and wage war,
turn them away from persecution towards peace.
Turn hatred to understanding, and anger to compassion.
Through your love transform horror into hope.
Fill us with your spirit and send us the gift of your peace.
Our Lady Queen of Peace, pray for us.
May you live in peace today, may you pray for peace today, and may the Lord bring peace to all. Peace be with you. God bless you.”
Canon Paul Cummins