World Day of Peace (1st January)

Just now, after cooking dinner, it was just nice for some news on NTV7. It had been a while since I watched any news because of the chaos of the world. It is so saddening to see people protesting over something far far away, burning dolls of some symbolic figures in the world, but they failed to see the economic downturn in own countries, neither these people are doing anything to contribute to their families or the country's economy. Well, except contributing to skyrocketing crime rate as well as additional pollutions to the location of demonstration.

When I saw the news on TV, my heart wrenched for the people who suffer because of war. My heart also wrenched for the families of the people who protested on the streets in different countries of the world. Let's not look too far away... In Malaysia, in some cities, certain groups of people are having protest to boycott U.S. goods, etc. because of the recent Gaza Strip carnage. However, many seemed to fail to see the worrying hearts of mothers of those who are involved in the protests, and many probably see through the eyes of TV broadcasters the chaotic condition of the cities in an already chaotic economic condition. Why isn't anybody doing anything that contributes to the word P-E-A-C-E?

I was browsing through The Star Online to check out what is happening to this country and the world, and noticed a tiny news on "119 lose their jobs in school". Would those who care so much for the war and chaotic conditions in Gaza care about the 119 who lose their jobs, mainly sole breadwinners for their families? Would those people donate the money used on printed banners, kerosene, faked dolls of significant figures, unpaid leave from job, etc. to these group of low-income people who are losing jobs? Maybe this is insignificant comparing to the hu-ha out there in Gaza... But are this group of gardeners and security guards so insignificant comparing to the Palestinians? Both are God's children, both are destined to be born into this world by God, but why are we treating them so differently? Even for the sake of sympathy?

In this weary world, who can save the world from perishing? Who can help us, confused people at the end of time? Who can guide us to the right path and show us some light in the darkness? There's only one person - and His name is - JESUS. Probably all we, commoners residing in this world at the end of ages, only need to say a little prayer, forgive everyone, humbly wash every single foot we see, reconcile truly, all for the sake of the wholeness of peace in the world, peace in our hearts.

I attended New Year's Day mass in Sacred Heart in the morning, and I was so happy to be able to hear the preaching of Archbishop John Lee. What truly struck me was the mention of Pope Benedict XVI's message for World Day of Peace. Bishop said that one of the title of Jesus is "Wonderful God, Prince of Peace" and the theme for this year (2009) is "Fighting Poverty to Build Peace". Jesus brings us hope when He was born of Mary in Bethlehem more than 2000 years ago. This hope is the hope of eternal life, a hope of peace to His people on earth. Are we doubting that He can bring us peace in the world? Are we really doing what He's calling us to do?

What Mary did was so simple, yet so difficult for us to even try to copy her... She said "yes" when she didn't really know what was happening, she treasured and pondered over all the things those shepherds told them when they visited her and her new born Babe in the manger, she let go of her son, Jesus, when He was crucified on the cross for our sake... etc... Look! Is it so hard to do? Of course it is, to accept, not resist, and allow God to be God. But that is the beauty of the whole salvation mystery of Jesus born on Christmas, destined to die a humiliating death for us 33 years later, all because of God's love for us. And what did Jesus do? He said the simple "yes" and allowed God to take charge, trusting every single word that He said.

Let me ctrl-c the first two paragraphs of Pope Benedict's message here that I find it important to share:

1. Once again, as the new year begins, I want to extend good wishes for peace to people everywhere. With this Message I would like to propose a reflection on the theme: Fighting Poverty to Build Peace. Back in 1993, my venerable Predecessor Pope John Paul II, in his Message for the World Day of Peace that year, drew attention to the negative repercussions for peace when entire populations live in poverty. Poverty is often a contributory factor or a compounding element in conflicts, including armed ones. In turn, these conflicts fuel further tragic situations of poverty. “Our world”, he wrote, “shows increasing evidence of another grave threat to peace: many individuals and indeed whole peoples are living today in conditions of extreme poverty. The gap between rich and poor has become more marked, even in the most economically developed nations. This is a problem which the conscience of humanity cannot ignore, since the conditions in which a great number of people are living are an insult to their innate dignity and as a result are a threat to the authentic and harmonious progress of the world community” [1].

2. In this context, fighting poverty requires attentive consideration of the complex phenomenon of globalization. This is important from a methodological standpoint, because it suggests drawing upon the fruits of economic and sociological research into the many different aspects of poverty. Yet the reference to globalization should also alert us to the spiritual and moral implications of the question, urging us, in our dealings with the poor, to set out from the clear recognition that we all share in a single divine plan: we are called to form one family in which all – individuals, peoples and nations – model their behaviour according to the principles of fraternity and responsibility.

<Click here to read more - Message of the Holiness>

As much as I can write articles like this on my blog, I also have to admit that with my own strength, there is practically nothing I can do to contribute to world's peace, not even the courage to protest against the government. Yet, in my own tiny ways, I hope my call according to Him will be made an instrument to educate more people, so that in future, the world can be a more peaceful place to live in.

My apologies for the readers who felt offended with my entry or think this is a long entry (like what happened to the previous ones), but somehow I feel the need to write something more constructive tonight, just before my holidays end and I return to the rightful position of working young adult in an education organization.

I'd like to end this entry with a writing I took from a prayer booklet, "Heart Speaks to Heart", written by Cardinal Newman:

God has created me
to do Him some definite service;
He has committed some work to me
which He has not committed to another.
I have my mission --
I may never know it in this life,
but I shall be told it in the next.
Somehow I am necessary for His purpose --
if indeed I fail, He can raise another.
Yet I have a part in this great work:
I am a link in a chain,
a bond of connection between persons.
He has not created me for naught.
I shall do good, I shall do His work;
I shall be an angel of peace,
a preacher of truth in my own place,
while not intending it,
if I do but keep His commandments
and serve Him in my calling.
Therefore I will trust Him.