Nonviolence: our way of living for 2017

It is always a joy to read Pope Francis’ documents because they grasp that Gospel vitality which we and our society sorely need.

A case in point is this year’s Peace Message which is traditionally celebrated on 1st January every year. The theme for this 50th World Day of Peace is “Nonviolence: A Style of Politics for Peace”. The title is captivating and is worth discovering. Obviously one needs to broaden the term “politics for peace”. Nonviolence is primarily the bread and butter of us individuals! In fact, if one reads this well-written document carefully, one immediately notices the interplay between the individual and the collective.

On an individual level, nonviolence has to start with our families. In other words, from the way we relate to each other. We cannot expect to have a peaceful world if we, as persons, are enraged against one another. Families are the foundation schools where peace is taught and lived on a daily basis. Thus, Pope Francis said: “If violence has its source in the human heart, then it is fundamental that nonviolence be practised before all else within families. This is part of that joy of love which I described last March in my Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, in the wake of two years of reflection by the Church on marriage and the family. The family is the indispensable crucible in which spouses, parents and children, brothers and sisters, learn to communicate and to show generous concern for one another, and in which frictions and even conflicts have to be resolved not by force but by dialogue, respect, concern for the good of the other, mercy and forgiveness. From within families, the joy of love spills out into the world and radiates to the whole of society” (no. 5).

The family is essential because, thanks to it, we can see other people as our brothers and sisters, making part of the one human family! Bearing this in mind the Holy Father explained: “The Jubilee of Mercy that ended in November encouraged each one of us to look deeply within and to allow God’s mercy to enter there. The Jubilee taught us to realize how many and diverse are the individuals and social groups treated with indifference and subjected to injustice and violence. They too are part of our ‘family’; they too are our brothers and sisters. The politics of nonviolence has to begin in the home and then spread to the entire human family. ‘Saint Therese of Lisieux invites us to practise the little way of love, not to miss out on a kind word, a smile or any small gesture which sows peace and friendship. An integral ecology is also made up of simple daily gestures that break with the logic of violence, exploitation and selfishness’” (no.5).

The roots of nonviolence are certainly evangelical. Jesus “unfailingly preached God’s unconditional love, which welcomes and forgives. He taught his disciples to love their enemies (cf. Mt 5:44) and to turn the other cheek (cf. Mt 5:39). When he stopped her accusers from stoning the woman caught in adultery (cf. Jn 8:111), and when, on the night before he died, he told Peter to put away his sword (cf. Mt 26:52), Jesus marked out the path of nonviolence. He walked that path to the very end, to the cross, whereby he became our peace and put an end to hostility (cf. Eph 2:1416)” (no.3).

Such a positive approach can also be detected in various religious traditions, for which, according to Pope Francis, “compassion and nonviolence are essential elements pointing to the way of life”. The Holy Father’s condemnation of religious fundamentalism is powerful. While affirming that “‘no religion is terrorist’” the Holy Father strongly stressed: “Violence profanes the name of God. Let us never tire of repeating: ‘The name of God cannot be used to justify violence. Peace alone is holy. Peace alone is holy, not war!’” (no.4).

At the beginning of a new year let us commit ourselves to “banish violence from our hearts, words and deeds, and to become nonviolent people and build nonviolent communities that care for our common home. ‘Nothing is impossible if we turn to God in prayer. Everyone can be an artisan of peace’” (no. 8).

Happy New Year!

Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap