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Redefining holy-days for peace
We have, once again (and so quickly!) reached the natural season of the darkest dark which can herald only one thing: the return of the light. The holy-days of all spiritual practices at this time of year are about light.
For some reason, I am especially conscious of approaching the darkest dark this year. There are just under two weeks till the cycle of light begins to grow again and the darkness is somehow more pungent, more poignant this year.
Certainly, the world economy has something to do with it. I find that I am unwilling to buy “things” just for the sake of having gifts for friends and family. So I was thrilled to discover an organization called Changing the Present where amongst their wonderful Choose A Cause list, peace takes a prominent place. My eyes, of course, went right to it.
Here are some of their others:
Choose a Cause
Basic Needs
Community
Environment
Health and Safety
- Blindness & Vision
- Cancer
- Disabilities
- Global Health
- HIV/AIDS
- Landmines
- Medical Research
- Mental Health
- Population
Opportunity
I suppose I ought to cop to the truth. If I could, I would give everyone on earth the gift of peace this year. Peace within themselves. Peace with others. Peace on Earth. For the Whole World. No Exceptions.
This is why when I came across the words below, I grinned for days. It’s a pledge of allegiance to peace, and I think it says it all.
I pledge allegiance to peace
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of all the world and to the community for which it stands: one people loved into existence by God, breathing an indivisible air, warmed by a sun that shines on good and bad alike, kept alive by rain that falls on the just and unjust. I commit myself to spend my life for this world for liberty and justice for all.
Mary Evelyn Jegen, recipient of The 1982 Pope Paul VI Teacher of Peace Award, penned these words. The award is given out annually by Catholic peace organization Pax Christi to an individual who has exemplified Pope Paul VI’s World Day for Peace message: “To reach peace, teach peace.”
Might I paraphrase Il Papa for this Season of Light?
To have peace, give peace.
Visit Susan Corso’s spiritual blog or subscribe to Seeds at www.susancorso.com.
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