CALL TO PERSEVERE
IN PRAYING
AND WORKING FOR PEACE
By Sister Brenda
Walsh, Racine Dominican
On November
29th 2010, Fr. Dan Berrigan, S.J. spoke at a Jesuit
Retreat House in Staten Island and called on those present and on
all peace-makers to persevere in their efforts to create a just and
peaceful society. Fr. Berrigan, now 89 years of age, has given his
life to peace-making, and often at a high price in his own life. He
spent many months in prison for his public demonstrations on behalf
of peace. The National Catholic Reporter for December 10, 2010,
tells the whole story of Berrigan’s presentation. He told his
audience that they may see few positive outcomes in their lifetime,
but that should not deter them in their steady efforts on behalf of
peace. If we do our best and trust in God’s unfailing presence, the
outcomes will take care of themselves. Fr. Berrigan encouraged
people to work together as communities and not let fear deter them
in their efforts. We need to face the future with courage and hope.
Looking
back over the past decades, it seems that wars, famine, cynicism and
lack of hope seem to be the order of the day. Our world is perceived
by many as an unsafe place to live or raise a family. Still other
perceive this as a great time to be alive when we have endless
opportunities to create a better world. Fr. Berrigan and many others
are living witnesses of that fact. They are making a big difference
through their strong belief that another world is indeed possible./
There is a hunger for hope and for evidence of a world different
than the stories we hear about through the daily news. People are
looking for evidence of new principles of unity, respect, peace and
reconciliation. I believe there is evidence in local community
groups working for justice in a racial and economic sense as well as
in environmental concerns.
Sr. Joan
Chittister has been a tireless advocate for peace and justice in
both church and society. Some years ago, she started a Women’s Peace
Initiative, to bring together a group of Jewish women and women from
Arab countries who said they did not want their children dying in
war. They worked to bring about peace between Israel and Palestine.
A local woman in Racine, Wisconsin, now nearing 100 years old,
Corrine Owens, who devoted her life to justice and peace , and now
like Berrigan still uses every opportunity she sees to speak about
peace and to continue her work in these areas.
I will
never forget the peacemaking efforts in my own country, Ireland that
was torn apart for centuries by warring groups over control of the
land. In the latter part of the last century, representative from
English and Irish political rule got together and worked out an
unprecedented peace agreement. The warring camps came together
worked out an agreement that still is in place. Occasionally some
differences need to be addressed to keep the peace movement going. A
great example of the need for perseverance in our working for peace!
Each day, we can make a daily choice for
justice and peace in our minds, our hearts, our families, our
communities and our world. With divine power always available to us,
there are no limits to what we can accomplish. We need to renew our
belief that another world is indeed possible. Let us begin today
with courage, conviction and hope. The example of Fr. Berrigan calls
us to renew our efforts and our trust and work to make our world
more like the one that God has in mind for all people. “Let there be
peace on earth and let it begin with me.”
