Instruments of Peace

Instruments of Peace

Many of us have our eyes fixed across the pond, attentive to the developments of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. An event of this magnitude invites us to ponder on what the Lord has to say.

A couple of weeks ago, the Sunday Gospel invited us to reflect on the Beatitudes. Last Sunday, the Gospel was about loving our enemy and applying the Golden Rule. Today, the Lord throughout scripture teaches us the practice of virtues. Prudence and temperance are at the forefront of our readings.

The current circumstances call us to practice virtue so that we don’t fall prey to despair and of our emotions, which oftentimes make us sad, or burst in anger, or we react and act in ways we later regret. This is a time to lend a hand to those who need it, those who are the silent victims of conflict. Today is a time to get rid of the log in our eyes so that by ways of virtue we may be able to see clearly. 

Lent is the suitable time to practice virtue. At the heart of virtue is our relationship with God, and the main way of communication with Him is prayer, therefore, intentionally engage in praying for the end of this conflict. The Lord will inspire you to take further action, but we have to begin with prayer, so that the journey ahead may be clearer for us. Turn to the prayer of St. Francis, so that we may be an instrument of God’s peace.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.