Preaching Peace

14^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 3, 2016

Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

“Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household (Luk 10:5).”

The life of Jesus’ disciples is difficult. It is all the more difficult because we are sent to preach peace. Nothing is harder to sell than peace. In the world intoxicated with fundamental ideologies and narrow-mindedness, violence has become daily food. In Syria and Iraq, the war seems far from an end, and every day, it claims countless of innocent lives. Suicide bombings and shooting rampage insanely become common occurrences. Just recently, some unidentified individuals detonated themselves inside a busy airport in Istanbul, Turkey, killing more than 40 people and injuring countless others. Few weeks back, a heavily armed guy opened fire inside a gay bar in Orlando, US, and murdered more 50 persons. It was the worst case in the US history. 

Violence breeds violence. Fear of violence even fuels more violence. A couple days ago, I was able to have conversation with Prof. Steven Friesen from the University of Texas. We discussed a lot of things, but one thing that caught my attention was how fear has influenced many Americans. The law has been passed that now a student may carry a gun inside the campus and the classroom. Prof. Friesen could not find the logic in it. The students are not allowed to smoke inside the school, but they are permitted to bring a fire arm!

Sadly, the culture of violence is not far from us. It is in our daily midst. Physical violence is the most obvious one, but not the only one. Violence can take forms of bullying, verbal abuses, sexual harassment, discrimination and even indifference. Violence may happen in our workplace and our own house. We may do violence to our friends, family members and even our environment. The grimmer part is that often, we are not aware of doing this. Giving recollections and retreats to the youth, I am privileged to listen to their personal stories. It is saddening that some of these kids turn to be victims of domestic violence. Their intellectual and emotional growth was hampered, and they bear the traumatic experience for the entire of their lives. My fear is that they will embody their suppressed anger and hatred inside and turn to be the perpetrators of violence themselves.

We are the Disciples of Christ. This means we are sent to preach peace. We may join the anti-violence 

movement in our society. I myself supporting our bishops’ call to end vigilantism and uphold rule of law in the Philippine nation that has increasingly turned bloody in his fight against illegal drugs and crime. Yet, the best place to preach peace is within ourselves. We examine our own lives and we may be surprised with little violence we do every day. To preach peace means to stop doing subtle violence, to ask forgiveness, and to repair the damages. I have to admit that sometimes, I committed violence myself. Involved in the teaching and formation ministry, at times, I need to push people to their limit. Yet, instead helping them, I hurt them.

It is true preaching peace is difficult. At times, in promoting peace, we receive violence. At times, we are discouraged by the result. At times, despite our good effort, we do violence even to our beloved ones. Yet, we must not back down. Without preaching peace, we shall always be part of violence. Without preaching peace, we shall never attain peace in ourselves. Without preaching peace, we stop following Christ and his way of the cross.

Br. Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno,m OP