My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are thirteen (13) “In Brief” articles in the Catechism of the Catholic Church addressing the Fifth Commandment of the Decalogue, ‘You shall not kill.’ The following is a reflection on CCC 2327.
There are various evils and injustices which accompany all war. Among the evils and injustices are: deaths, wounded or injured, starvation, destruction of homes, disruption of education and economy. A study of fighting in twelve countries (Afghanistan, Angola, Bosnia, Brundi, Cambodia, China, El Salvador, Guatemala, Iraq, Rwanda, Sudan-Darfur, Uganda) between 1965–2006 identified more than 9,500,000 fatalities due to war. “Collateral damage” is a form of window dressing serious injustices. Before any President ever said “trust but verify” Jesus Himself reminds us that He was not nor are we to be pacifists (cf. Matthew 10:34).
Mother Church exhorts us and our leaders to do everything reasonably possible to avoid war. Prudent diplomacy is a reasonable attempt to avoid war. Promises to not go to war have been broken before. Unilateral disarmament (where only one party disarms) is a recipe awaiting the attack of an unjust aggressor. There are those who do not know the ways of peace, who have no justice in their paths (cf. Isaiah 59:8). Mechanisms for peace, like the United Nations, New York, New York, and the International Court of Justice, The Hague, Netherlands, can only prevent war to the extent that conflicted parties agree to submit to the decisions of such bodies whether these were favorable or not. Issues of state sovereignty are involved here as well. Economic penalties did not keep Italy from warring against Ethiopia in 1935 despite belonging to the League of Nations pact. The economic penalties or reparations which were Germany’s lot after World War I are said to be among the causes of World War II.
The power of prayer is not to be underestimated in keeping the peace. Mother Church has a vast array of prayers in her repertoire, including prayers for peace and justice, prayers for deliverance from famine, pestilence and war. We should not only invoke “peace, peace” but also work for peace (cf. Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11). With Saint Paul we pray to the Lord of peace that He will continually grant peace in every circumstance (cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:16). We are called to be blessed peacemakers who sow in peace, planting seeds of peace (cf. Matthew 5:9; James 3:18). With devotion to Christ the King of the Universe and Prince of Peace, whose Incarnation, Death and Resurrection made peace between Heaven and Earth, us and God, peace on Earth is possible when we are willing and live in just harmony with each other (cf. Isaiah 9:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 13:11). Each time the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered according to the Ordinary Form, we pray with Christ “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you…” (John 14:27). May our homes always be deserving of peace (cf. Matthew 10:13).
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr