PEACE-LENT 2023 - Peace is Genuinity

Tuesday, First week in Lent - February 28, 2023

The WORD in LENT: Isaiah 55: 10-11; Matthew 6: 7-15

Yesterday we reflected on how peace is integrity; today we have the Word which establishes a related fact: peace is genuinity! It is a fruit of genuineness of a person, of a community, and of a society at large. This is established by a classic two step argument - the Word of God is unfailingly genuine; we are the children of that God in and through the Word; therefore our words too have to be, by all means, genuine!

We cannot say something, and mean something other that what we said. When we do that, there is confusion, deception, reaction and therefore, violence - that is against peace! Peace is non violence. Though it is not merely non-violence, we cannot think of peace without non-violence. One of the fundamental aspects not to be violated is the factor of truth. This is where Mahatma Gandhi found the intimate connection between his Ahimsa and Satyagraha!

The first reading today speaks to us of the Word of God which is what it is and does exactly what it has to. The Word does not compromise; the Word is active and alive, genuine and straightforward. We see this explained also elsewhere (Hebrews 12) within the Word of God. This becomes a standard and a standing example for us to make our words as genuine as possible. 

Jesus teaches us how to pray - it is a way of telling us: mean what you say, even in your prayer or especially in your prayer! Your prayer (or your words of faith) should reflect the fact of your life. The words that you speak should become your daily life. This genuineness will certainly  bring peace within you and all around you!