"Peace on Earth" (12/27/81)

"Peace on Earth"

Message of the Ukrainian Catholic hierarchy on the occasion of the World Day of Peace.

TO THE CLERGY, RELIGIOUS AND THE BELOVED FAITHFUL OF OUR EPARCHIES:

Peace in the Lord and our episcopal blessing!

"Peace on Earth!" - this was the greeting the angels gave as they announced the glad tidings of Christmas to the world. It is also the greeting of each one of us. All the accomplishments of our lives have no value if we cannot make use of them in peace. Nothing frightened and disconcerted our ancestors more than the prospect of war, which so often ravaged and ruined our Ukrainian lands.

Let us heed the call of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to mark January 1, 1982, as the World Day of Peace and spend it in prayer for peace in the world.

Many of our faithful came to this country because of the events of the first and second world wars. We know that the deprivation of the personal freedom of our brothers in Ukraine and, especially, the religious persecution they endure are the fruits of war. History demonstrates time and again that wars bring misfortune, ruination, death and suffering to mankind. Man must learn to settle his disputes by peaceful means.

The holy father points out that peace in the world shall be attained only if each individual dedicates himself fully to God, so that the Holy Spirit might dwell in him and be manifest in all his thoughts and feelings. Only then, when each of us, truly inspired by God, shall desire peace and be ready to live according to the dictates of the Holy Gospel in his own life, shall there be peace.

The holy father calls all men of good will to forgiveness and reconciliation. May each man examine his own conscience and review his own readiness to forgive and reconcile. May each man endeavor to practice these in his family, in his social, political and personal relationships - everywhere and at all times.

His Holiness also calls on all statesmen to be men of peace. The Church has always blessed the efforts of individuals and groups which work for world peace. Although we are saddened by the wars presently waged in various parts of the world, we thank God that there has been no global conflagration for the past 40 years and that we in America, this land blessed by God, enjoy the many blessings of peace.

Therefore, to thank Almighty God for the grace of peace and to ask Him to ignite in our hearts a desire for true peace on earth, we ask the honorable clergy to officiate at appropriate services - such as akathists, molebens, common recitations of the rosary, etc., for this intention and to exhort the faithful in their sermons to pray and perform good works toward this end. One Sunday in January may also be set aside for the purpose of prayer for peace, because it is what the Holy Father, the Church and all mankind desires.

The intentions of this Sunday may also be joined with the marking of Ukrainian Independence Day on January 22.

Let us remember the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians: "Strive for perfection... agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you." (2 Cor. 13:11)

May the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit always be with you.

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