Ecumenical Info

Peace on Earth!

By Rev. Michael Demkovich, O.P.

During these days of Advent Hope, as we draw near to Christmas, Christians throughout the world recount the story of a child born in the dark night of fear and doubt. It is a story told again and again in the hearts of those who believe. The shepherds at their watch heard the angels herald a wondrous birth. The wisemen knew of an ancient prophecy and followed a star to an unknown land. Something remarkable was born into our world, and the child, whose birth we celebrate, satisfied the world’s deepest longing. He was called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) The message of Christmas echoes throughout the ages, “Peace on Earth, Good Will to All.”

As Christians we must be guided by this child and his message of peace. Christians are aware of God’s love for all women and men. This awareness calls us to foster a dialogue in today’s world. We must work for peace, but to be special instruments of God’s peace, something more is needed. Today we must heed the Christ child’s call and realize that our hope for world peace is an invitation to grow in faith. It is a faith promised in the Covenant of Abraham. It is a peace that speaks to all men and women of good will. It is the Christmas message etched in the desire of our hearts.

This Christmas Season is an ideal time to acknowledge the mystery of God’s Incarnation, the Word made flesh dwelling among us. It is a time to realize the obstacles to peace we must yet face. While we Christians celebrate the joy of Christmas we must not ignore the mystery of God still dwelling in our midst. Our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters share the Covenant of Abraham and reveal something of this mystery. Vatican II, in its 1965 “Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non Christian Religions” wisely tells us:

The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men. (n.2)

This document is also called Nostra Aetate since it begins “in our time” and is a wonderful document on the Church’s understanding of the other great religions. It is available online at the Vatican website here Vatican website, or go the the Ecumenical Office’s web page. Today, in our times, we are more aware of God’s work in all true religions. Nostra Aetate further urges our appreciation of these great religions telling us,

This sacred synod urges all to forget the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding and to preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedom. (n.3)

Shalom, or Salaam, or Pax, peace is common to us all. Part of the call to peace, a part that is within our reach, is for us to grow out of the darkness of our own blind ignorance. Take time to learn about these religions, especially today, for they too are part of this Season of Peace. The Ecumenical Office fosters inter-religious dialogue. This Christmas Season is an ideal time to share the meaning of Christmas by learning what is true and holy from your Muslim and Jewish friends. This Christmas let us make the prayer of the angels our own, “Peace on Earth, Good will to all.”