A Reflection for January 1 in the year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Seven
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFAMission Saints Sergius and Bacchus,
a Franciscans of the Annunciation mission
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
As we prepare to make our resolutions for the New Year 2007, how about we try this one on for size?I based this reflection on the words to a once very popular prayer/song “Let There Be Peace On Earth” written and copy written in 1955by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson. In this time of world turmoil I feel we need to focus on the issues that have been tearing nations, churches and people apart and make a resolution to do our part to change the direction the world seems to be headed. Daily we are reminded of all the dissention between the various churches which claim to be Christian and other religious denominations that claim the God of Abraham, Isaac, David and Jacob as their father. Every day the news is filled with reports throughout the world, of strife, conflicts over territory and in some countries genocide, poverty, and starvation caused by the need of a minority for power, control and greed. Families have been torn apart over the issue of their child’s sexuality by individuals who claim to represent Christ and have taken upon themselves the role of making judgments that are only God’s right to make. Did not Christ Himself say “Let those among you that is without sin, cast the first stone” We all are sinners to one degree or another, we need to acknowledge that and be repentant for our own misdeeds and assume we are better than the others.The words of this wonderful prayer/song are very poignant. It not only makes a request but it points out that it all must start with each of us individually; “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” This is a lesson to us that we cannot wait for others to set the ball in motion, we need it to begin within our selves. We need to make a move in our own lives to settle any disagreements we might have with members of our own family, friends, neighbors or employees. If each and every person would work toward the goal of peace in their own live the result would be like a snowball rolling down a very steep hill, it would keep building and growing larger and faster as it traveled along. Each individual action would cause a similar reaction from others and it could spread throughout the world.The second line in this message written in 1955 is also powerful as it directs us to the source of all peace; “Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father.” In order to achieve any kind of lasting and meaningful peace we need to turn to the source, Almighty God. We need to place Him at the center of our lives and live according to the way His beloved son, Jesus Christ instructed us. We need to look around us and be thankful for the gifts we have been given and stop grumbling about the things we think we need. We need to come to the realization that we are all children of the same God and therefore brothers and sisters of each other as the prayer/song explains; “brothers all are we, Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony.”As we contemplate what kind of resolution we are going to make to change our lives in this new year I suggest that each of us place this as number one and that we make sure that we keep this resolution even if all the others are forgotten as the year progresses; “Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now, With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow, To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.”. Peace is not something to be wished for, it is something one has to work hard to achieve. If these words “ Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me!” are to ever be realized we all have to work together to make it a reality. We cannot be satisfied as long as there is one child of God that is being oppressed because social or economic status, suffering discrimination for any reason, dying because of lack of proper food or medicine, homeless due to inadequate affordable housing, or being violently murdered over drugs or gang disputes. As children of God and followers of Jesus Christ we are called to live the Gospel message not just preach it. Let us resolve to begin this New Year with one single purpose, to do our part in bringing about changes that will make this prayer/songs words a reality.
As we prepare to make our resolutions for the New Year 2007, how about we try this one on for size?I based this reflection on the words to a once very popular prayer/song “Let There Be Peace On Earth” written and copy written in 1955by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson. In this time of world turmoil I feel we need to focus on the issues that have been tearing nations, churches and people apart and make a resolution to do our part to change the direction the world seems to be headed. Daily we are reminded of all the dissention between the various churches which claim to be Christian and other religious denominations that claim the God of Abraham, Isaac, David and Jacob as their father. Every day the news is filled with reports throughout the world, of strife, conflicts over territory and in some countries genocide, poverty, and starvation caused by the need of a minority for power, control and greed. Families have been torn apart over the issue of their child’s sexuality by individuals who claim to represent Christ and have taken upon themselves the role of making judgments that are only God’s right to make. Did not Christ Himself say “Let those among you that is without sin, cast the first stone” We all are sinners to one degree or another, we need to acknowledge that and be repentant for our own misdeeds and assume we are better than the others.The words of this wonderful prayer/song are very poignant. It not only makes a request but it points out that it all must start with each of us individually; “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” This is a lesson to us that we cannot wait for others to set the ball in motion, we need it to begin within our selves. We need to make a move in our own lives to settle any disagreements we might have with members of our own family, friends, neighbors or employees. If each and every person would work toward the goal of peace in their own live the result would be like a snowball rolling down a very steep hill, it would keep building and growing larger and faster as it traveled along. Each individual action would cause a similar reaction from others and it could spread throughout the world.The second line in this message written in 1955 is also powerful as it directs us to the source of all peace; “Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father.” In order to achieve any kind of lasting and meaningful peace we need to turn to the source, Almighty God. We need to place Him at the center of our lives and live according to the way His beloved son, Jesus Christ instructed us. We need to look around us and be thankful for the gifts we have been given and stop grumbling about the things we think we need. We need to come to the realization that we are all children of the same God and therefore brothers and sisters of each other as the prayer/song explains; “brothers all are we, Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony.”As we contemplate what kind of resolution we are going to make to change our lives in this new year I suggest that each of us place this as number one and that we make sure that we keep this resolution even if all the others are forgotten as the year progresses; “Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now, With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow, To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.”. Peace is not something to be wished for, it is something one has to work hard to achieve. If these words “ Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me!” are to ever be realized we all have to work together to make it a reality. We cannot be satisfied as long as there is one child of God that is being oppressed because social or economic status, suffering discrimination for any reason, dying because of lack of proper food or medicine, homeless due to inadequate affordable housing, or being violently murdered over drugs or gang disputes. As children of God and followers of Jesus Christ we are called to live the Gospel message not just preach it. Let us resolve to begin this New Year with one single purpose, to do our part in bringing about changes that will make this prayer/songs words a reality.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me,Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.With God as our Father, brothers all are we,Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now,With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow,To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me! AMEN
I am also adding the prayer of the seraphic father of our order and all the
Franciscan orders, Saint Francis which helps us to understand the things we need to do to achieve a true and lasting peace.
Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;where there is hatred, let me sow love;when there is injury, pardon;where there is doubt, faith;where there is despair, hope;where there is darkness, light;and where there is sadness, joy.Grant that I may not so much seekto 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
May God fill each and every one with an abundance of His mercy, infinite love and grace throughout the new year and grant you the courage and strength to do what is necessary to bring about changes on this planet so that there will be a new beginning for all and a time of peace and reconciliation.
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