In Praise for Peace
special day, sisters’ sentiments spotlight stepping stones to peace
Click here to read more about the U.N.’s International Day of Peace
Peace is a complex concept even in normal times. Mix in a pandemic, hurricanes, wild fires, and social and political unrest, and you have the perfect recipe for chaos. It certainly warrants our year-round attention, but the United Nations International Day of Peace shines a particularly bright spotlight on the subject each September 21.
Within any challenging puzzle, it’s best to start at the beginning. That’s why, as Sister Amata Shina tells us, peace begins within.
“Peace radiates from within us and expresses itself in our daily lives,” she says. “I have tried to discipline myself to remain calm — no matter what — because I don’t believe I should surrender my peace and my calm to anyone. I don’t want to give anyone that kind of control over me.”
Our Sisters in Pittsburgh trimmed and decorated more than 150 peace dove ornaments for distribution — along with their prayers for peace — in the days leading up to the 2020 United Nations International Day of Peace.
Sister Barbara Ann Webster points out that we all have a part to play, large or small, in cultivating peace. “Peace is the ability to see the face of God in everyone and every circumstance,” Sister says. “Peace in all places, in all situations, is the work of all people everywhere.”
While that may seem a heavy burden to bear, fear not, says Sister Amata. You can do some of the heavy lifting with just the muscles in your face.
“Mother Teresa once said, ‘When we see God in each other, we shall be able to live together in peace. Peace begins with a smile, and I will never understand all the good that a simple smile can accomplish,’” Sister Amata notes.
So start with a smile. For a neighbor, a coworker, a stranger. Even when we’re all wearing masks these days, remember that our smiles cannot help but creep into our eyes.
“A smile can only say what’s true,” Sister Amata says. “Hello … I’m sorry … I care … I understand … I believe you … I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Peace is an inner reality of being.
It comes not from an absence of turmoil,
but rather from the ability to place all in
the hands of God through prayer.”
Sister Barbara Ann concurs. “Peace is the language we use in all our conversations and communications. Peace is the breath of God within us.”
Sister Irene Novak is a staunch proponent of peace. Even her name means “peace” in Greek. “I like the classic definition: ‘Peace is the tranquility of order,’” Sister says. “I try to remember to contribute to keeping that order. No rocking the boat!”
While she is happy to play her part, Sister also looks to the Lord to do his. “I try to concentrate on Jesus’ promise – ‘I give you peace.’”
No matter where we find it – in solitude, in prayer, in rest, in our hobbies, in our loved ones – peace is not to be taken lightly. It is to be cherished, savored, preserved. Every little effort chips away at the loftier goal.
“Peace has always been a precious gift that, over the years, I have learned to treasure,” says Sister Amata. “Try to plant the seeds of peace in your spot in this world, and you will be the change that you wish to see in our world.”