Lord, Make me an Instrument of Peace

1. Concept of Peace

In general peace means health, joy, happiness, wholeness, justice and prosperity. When people have enough food, clothing and shelter, they think that they have peace. Material abundance is a kind of peace and material obversion.

1.1 Jainism

Though it does not believe in the existence of God, but it does teach the way of ethical life to obtain peace.  It teaches that the three virtues – right faith, right knowledge and right conduct (samyak darshana (“right faith”), samyak jnana (“right knowledge”), and samyak charitra (“right conduct”), which are called three gems (triratnas) as the basic moral or ethical rules to obtain peace. Liberation is attained by means of ahimsa (ahimso paramo dharmaha). This is the weapon Gandhiji used for the freedom struggle and even Dr. Martin Luther King Junior used in USA.

1.2 Buddhism

Though Buddhism too does not believe in the existence of God and has a concept called, “anātmavada” theory of no-soulness, has a highly moral principles. Buddha taught four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold path (Cattari ariya saccani and ashtanga marga) to achieve a state of peace which is called Nirvana. It is an ethical state, a state where there is no karmic residue left.

Right view (samma ditthi), right resolve (samma sankappa), right speech (samma vaca), right action (samma kammanta), right livelihood (samma ajiva), right effort (samma vayama), right mindfulness (samma sati), right concentration (samma samadhi)

1.3 Hinduism

Peace is a blissful state. One identifies oneself with Brahman, “tat tvam asi”, “Aham Brahmasmi” state. To explain this state different vedantins use different expressions and systems (samānādhikaranyam), dvaita, advaita, vishista advaita, dvaita advaita, bheda abheda etc.

Philosophically speaking, peace (shanty/shantaha) in Hinduism is a state of calmness, tranquility, cessation of passions or worldly enjoyment, reconciliation or a state of being free of all passions (Cf. V.S. Apte). It is here, the person feels “Shunya.” The modern Hindu philosophy upholds the same by means of karma margra, jnana marga, bhakti marga as Bhagavad Gita rightly points out.

1.4  Islam

Often we hear Muslims greeting in the words, “Salaam aleikom” which means “Peace be to you.” This is Urdu / Arabic word taken from Hebrew word, “Shalom”. In a sense belief in Allah is peace (salaam).

1.5 Christianity

The foundation for the Christian concept of peace is found in the Bible. It can be understood at two levels.

1.5.1 Peace, an absence of war

The word Hebrew word “Shalom” which is used in the Old Testament for peace is used in contrast to war. The nations were continually at war. People needed some rest. Therefore, Kings on behalf of and in the power of God, could grant peace.

Pax Augusta / Pax Romana: “Peace” was the key religious political concept of the Roman Caesars. In Rome alters were erected for peace, for harmony, and for the well-being of Romans in 10-11 BC. And even coins were imprinted with Peace and security proclaimed the blessings of the government. Therefore, peace meant here, absence of war and any violation of law of Roman empire, putting them under the sword.

1.5.3 Peace as God’s Gift

Peace is Gift of God. Gideon erects an altar to Yahweh and calls it, “Yahweh shalom” , Yahweh is peace. The Greek word for peace is Eirene which is used in the New Testament. The Risen Lord gives peace  and delegates his peace to people, “Peace I give to you, My peace I give to you, not the peace of the world,” “go in peace”, “Make disciples everywhere.” We must be peacemakers (Mt 5:9), In me have peace (Jn 16:33). Jesus is the peace and peace giver. Jesus is th way of peace, peace is the gift of God in Christ Jesus.

Micah 5:4: he will be their peace, - Christ is our peace that is he is the peace bringer (Eph 6:15).

Peace is gift of the Holy Spirit. It is the fruit of the holy spirit (Rom 8:6; Gal 5:22) This gift challenges us, the Christians be given attention to peace among themselves.

Further for Paul, the concept of peace also meant “creating a new person” in Christ. This is by means of ‘reconciliation’. The abolition of enmity by means of reconciliation carries two dimensions – reconciliation with God and reconciliation with others and at the same time becoming members of the Bigger Family, the Church.

1.5.2 Peace as cosmotheandric well-being

According to the Interpreter’s dictionary of the Bible, Peace is defined as “the state of wholeness possessed by persons or groups which may be health, prosperity, or the spiritual completeness of covenant.” Therefore, the basic meaning of shalom is “Well-being” The Hebrew word “Shalom” is a verb which means making something complete, to make something whole or holistic. Therefore, shalom is a condition of being complete, of fullness or wholeness. It is the completeness of the community or intactness of the community.

Shalom belong to living beings. Human beings are created to be social beings, therefore, shalom is prerequisite for social existence.

“Glory to God in the Highest and people of the Goodwill.” –the angels sang at the birth of Jesus and extended the peace to every living beings – people of every strata, animals and creation. St. Francis of Assisi extended the meaning of peace to whole of creation. The living Crib he made is a living witness to this. And further he made peace with creation, animals and birds and even with the plants.

2. Philosophical Base for Peace

2.1 Peace as Being: Essence of peace

Peace is Sat, the Being, that which is existing. It is the deepest core of human being. It is synonymous with God. God’s presence is peace. “Take courage, do not be afraid.”

2.2 Three metaphors of a peaceful person

a. Bridge: connects two shores. The peaceful person connects the two persons or beings. Even though the other shore is filled with filth, the peaceful person is able to connect the two shores successfully.

b. Face: gives identity. Peaceful person is able to give identity to the individual. As face gives identity to the person, so too a peaceful person not only give identity to the identity to one’s own self, but also to the other.

c. Heart: assumes the whole world as brother and sister, father and mother, as family member. For the peaceful person, every being is one’s own family member and relative.

2.3 Person of peace: is like a tree planted at the bank of a stream, or is an oasis in the desert, sthithapranja (man of steady wisdom / equanimity) (sthitha pranjnasya samadarshina sarvatra)

2.4 Person of violence: a tree planted in the desert, dry and withers away soon. It has no life.

3. How to bring peace

The mission for peace calls for a new thinking, a new acting and new being. It demands the building up of a new public opinion. It lays on us the compulsion of awakening a new consciousness. Parent must initiate this task. Educationalists will take it further. Media will have to make their own powerful contribution to the noble cause. Poets, writers will need to touch the hearts of the masses and educated them to peace. Leaders in every walk of life woo will make every effort to bring the message of peace and harmony to the last person among their followers.

Deeds of peace must multiply on the face of the earth. Care for ecological balance, ethics in public life, justice in socio-economic activities, truth in the media, responsibility in service, co-operation in a common development endeavour… these and similar activities provide the bricks that will go to the building up of a ‘civilization of peace.’

Little deeds of kindness are as powerful in the cause of peace as historic reconciliation between super powers. Mother Teresa’s greatness does not consisting in having worn the Noble Prize, but having brought to the attention of the world the value of small acts of kindness to the humanity’s humblest citizens.

Pope John XXIII wrote in his “Journal of a Soul”, “The whole world is my Family.” Hindu sage says, “Vasudaivaka Kutumbam.” If a religion thinks by creating tension even at slightest degree can bring peace, is no religion at all. Religion by its very definition, “binding” (Religare = to bind). It is misleading. Religions should bind people together and not divide. Let this happen in our earth.

Be humble, gentle, patient, courage, compassion

 Loving even the enemies

 Acts of peace: Merciful acts

 Pope Paul VI: “If you want peace, work for justice.”

 The harvest of justice is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace (James 3: 18)

Prayer of St Francis

Make me a channel of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love,
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord

And where there’s doubt true faith in you.

O Master grant that I may never seek,
So much to be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of your peace,
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope,
Where there is darkness, only light,
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.

Make me a channel of your peace,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving to each one that we receive,.
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.

Fr. Raju Felix Crasta

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