Call to Prayer: September 21, The International Day of Peace, is observed by SSNDs throughout the world. The United Nations General Assembly has declared September 21st to be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. “Twenty-four hours [of the International Day of Peace]: to give relief workers a safe interlude for the provision of vital services; to offer mediators a building block towards a wider truce; to allow all those engaged in conflict to reconsider the wisdom of further violence.” ~ Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary General. The theme of the 2018 International Day of Peace is The Right to Peace. As we join with the global community and SSNDs around the world to pray for peace, let us recall that each of us by baptism and vocation are called to be a channel of God’s peace.
Opening Song:
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace (Click here for the lyrics)
Reader: (Every person) has the right to life. They have the right to bodily integrity and to the means necessary for the proper development of life, particularly food, clothing, shelter, medical care rest and finally, the necessary social services. Every person has the right to be looked after in the event of ill health; disability from work, widowhood; old age; enforced unemployment; or whenever, through no fault of their own, they are deprived of the means of livelihood. – Pope John XXIII, Peace on Earth, 11.
Response: May the world experience the reconciling power of our merciful God, through our efforts to love one another and to bear one another’s burdens. (YAS 7)
Reader: Peace is not the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the silent result of violent repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity. It is right and it is duty. – Blessed Archbishop Óscar Romero
Response: May the world experience the reconciling power of our merciful God, through our efforts to love one another and to bear one another’s burdens. (YAS 7)
Sharing/Reflection: What does the “right to peace” mean to you?
Reader: Advent,* a poem by Daniel Berrigan:
It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss—
All: This is true: For God so loved the world that [God] gave [God’s] only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life;
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction—
All: This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.
It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever—
All: This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.
It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world—
All: This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world.
It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers—
All: This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams.
It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history—
All: This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.
So let us [have] hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ—the life of the world.
Response: May the world experience the reconciling power of our merciful God, through our efforts to love one another and to bear one another’s burdens. (YAS 7)
Closing Prayer
A Prayer for Our Earth (Laudato Si’)
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
All: We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace. Amen.
Closing Song:
We Are Called
Optional: On September 21st, the JPIC Office will be issuing a reflection video on “the right to peace.” The video will be available through the weekly newsletter and social media. Please watch and reflect with us.
* From Testimony: The Word Made Flesh, by Daniel Berrigan, S.J. Orbis Books, 2004
