Articulating Hope
  • Home
  • Deacon Vernon's Blog
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Book Discussion Guide

Prayers for Social and World Peace

12/17/2013

0 Comments

 
On December 18, 1947 Pope Pius XII issued an encyclical entitled, Optatissima Pax; (in English, On Prescribing Public Prayers for Social and World Peace.)  It is relatively short compared to many Vatican documents, numbering 12 paragraphs in all.  Obviously, much more could have been discussed regarding the hope for peace, but in this case, short and to the point was probably a notable approach.

It is a worthy endeavor for us to continue to pray for peace.  The logistics and mechanisms of war have changed through the decades, but the cry for peace amidst advanced weaponry reverberates to this day.  It seems we have struggled to find the key to lasting peace in our world.

In looking at the title of the encyclical letter, I was struck by three different components.  Public prayers, how are we doing in that regard today?  Is the only time we pray for peace publicly when a general intercession happens to appear in a Sunday liturgy?  Have people of faith allowed their freedom to be squelched to a point where public prayers for peace are almost non-existent outside of church walls?  Do we really believe that prayer is beneficial?

Since military conflict has been a constant staple of our consciousness, it may be difficult to even imagine world peace.  What would it be like to live in a world with not simply an absence of war, but a true and lasting peace?  How would that affect our travel times at the airport?  How would it affect our entrance into large auditoriums and stadiums for entertainment and athletic venues?  What would it do for our emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being?  Would it change the way we pray?  Have we simply given up on the possibility of ever experiencing world peace?

I pondered the words “social peace” for quite a while when I first read the encyclical.  What does social peace look like?  As we review all the social problems of modern society it is fairly easy to simply shake our heads in disbelief and give up trying to make things better.  In many ways the challenges seem beyond our ability to effectively make any significant progress in improving life’s dire situations.  What happens to our culture when we lose the theological virtue of hope?

I found it interesting that the pope would state the following in paragraph 5: “Factional strife ‘has been and will be to many nations a greater calamity than war itself, than famine or disease.’”  Wow!  Factional strife may be a greater calamity than war itself.  What have we not learned or achieved in the last 66 years in regard to this one line?  Factions continue to abound in modern times in our political life, our social life, our work life, and even in the life of the Church.  What calamitous results has our world experienced due to factional strife?

We are a week away from celebrating the great Solemnity of Christmas once again.  May our private and public prayers for peace be fervent and faithful!  May the incarnation of Christ the King fill our hearts with joy!  May the Prince of Peace transform our world!

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

    Author

    This is my personal blog.  The opinions expressed are those of Deacon Vernon and the blog's readers.  This site operates independently and is not affiliated with any other entity. The information I provide is on an "as-is" basis. I make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information on this blog. I will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information. Furthermore, I will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use.

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.