In 1981 the United Nations established an International Day of Peace. In 2001, four days before the Twin Towers attack, the date was set for September 21. The original plan for its observance was for it to be a day of strengthening the ideals of peace and alleviating tensions and causes of conflict. All member states, organizations of the United Nations system, regional and non-governmental organizations and individuals are invited to commemorate the event in an appropriate manner, including education and public awareness, and to cooperate with the UN in establishing a global ceasefire. More than 3500 organizations in over 200 countries plan Peace Day activities.
The Web site www.internationaldayofpeace.org has hundreds of ideas for ways for people of all ages to participate in the day. From prayers to pinwheels, from service to celebration, from ending violence to welcoming strangers, the possibilities are many.
While the United Nations challenges all countries to cease fighting for this day, the greater challenge for each of us is to live one day without violence of any form against any other individual, group or creation: entertainment, sports, word, actions. Whether we pollute God’s precious earth or expose God’s more precious children to violence, we are responsible for the peace of the world. It is not merely a matter for heads of state or international organizations.
As members of a faith resting on the person of Jesus Christ, it seems more than appropriate that Christians take a day to gather with other faiths for one purpose only — for peace. It is not a simple matter to do this. Praying for peace implies being willing to be changed into peace. No grace gets dropped on us from a God outside of ourselves. Every blessing is from the God within us and about us, on our right and on our left. To pray for peace is to accept the challenge of being a person of peace. For us it is impossible, but with Christ all things are possible.
It is rare on any Sunday that at least one Prayer of the Faithful at Mass is not specifically for peace somewhere in this world, in addition to the Mass prayers which are filled with pleas for peace. Unfortunately sometimes the prayers teeter on being nationalistic rather than holistic. Peace is not determined by our country’s interests. It is as wide as God’s mercy and as limitless. Equally as rare is serious attention given from the pulpit about the absolute requirement of the Christian to be a peacemaker. Being one is not optional for a Christian. Peace is the way of Jesus Christ and it is the way of his followers.
Before the start of the war in Iraq the bishops of the United States said that such a war would not meet the standards of the just-war principles. Six years into it and we hear very little from most of our leaders in the faith. Peace and war are not merely political issues for a Christian; they are moral ones. We are not bound to what any government decides if it is in conflict with our Christian principles. In theory it is simple; in practice, it requires great moral certitude in the face of overwhelming opposition.
Our government allows abortions — we cannot accept that as the way of Christ. Our government allows the death penalty — we cannot accept that as the way of Christ. Our government allows war in Iraq — we cannot accept that as the way of Christ. Our government favors the wealthy over the poor — we cannot accept that as the way of Christ.
