Peace by Peace
The Encyclical
Humanae Vitae emphasizes
both the unitive and
the procreative meaning of
sexuality, thereby locating at the
foundation of society the married couple, man
and woman, who accept one another mutually, in
distinction and in complementarity: a couple, therefore,
that is open to life.’
Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate,
Charity in Truth, No 15.
Martin Luther King on Leadership Martin Luther King realized what it meant to be a leader when his destiny put him in front of the civil rights movement in the United States. The following are some of the principles on leadership espoused by him as compiled by Donald T. Phillips:
- Never seek to defeat of humiliate an opponent. Try to bring about a change of heart.
- If your words fail, persuade with your acts.
- Power without love is reckless and abusive
– and love without power is sentimental and anemic.
- Self-criticism is a sure sign of maturity -- and the first step toward eliminating any personal weakness.
- Forge the priceless qualities of character. Teach your children’s values at an early age.
- You must make mistakes and learn from them, make more mistakes and learn anew. You must taste defeat as well as success. - The best leaders are determined, bold, and reject inhibitions imposed by old traditions and habits.
- Do it because it is right to do it. - Remember that the chance to act is today. The time is now.
- Never assume that anyone understands. It is your job to keep people informed and aware.
- Create a noble mission around which everyone can rally. - Set a precise timetable for action.
Pope Benedict XVI’s Prayer Intentions for 2009
September
General: That the word of God may be better
known, welcomed and lived as the sources of freedom and joy.
Mission: That Christians in Laos, Cambodia, and
Myanmar, who often meet with great difficulties,
may not be discouraged from announcing the Gospel
to their brothers, trusting in the strength of the Holy Spirit.
October
General: That Sunday may lived as the day on which
Christians gather to celebrate the risen Lord, participating in the Eucharist.
Mission: That the entire People of the God, to whom
Christ entrusted the mandate to go and preach the
Gospel to every creature, may eagerly assume their
own missionary responsibility and consider it the
highest service they can offer humanity.
Facing God
Dorothy Day
We may be living on the
edge of eternity, but that
should not make us dismal.
The early Christians rejoiced
to think that the end
of the world was near, as
they thought. Are we so
unready to face God? Are
we so avid for joys here that
we perceive so darkly those
to come?
‘Openness to life is at the centre of true development. When a society moves towards the denial or suppression of life, it ends up no longer finding the necessary motivation and energy to strive for man's true good. If personal and social sensitivity towards the acceptance of a new life is lost, then other forms of acceptance that are valuable for society also wither away. The acceptance of life strengthens moral fiber and makes people capable of mutual help. By cultivating openness to life, wealthy peoples can better understand the needs of poor ones, they can avoid employing huge economic and intellectual resources to satisfy the selfish desires of their own citizens, and instead, they can promote virtuous action within the perspective of production that is morally sound and marked by solidarity, respecting the fundamental right to life of every people and every individual.’ Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate,
Charity in Truth, No 28.
‘Feed the hungry (cf. Mt 25: 35, 37, 42) is an ethical imperative for the universal Church, as she responds to the teachings of her Founder, the Lord Jesus, concerning solidarity and the sharing of goods. Moreover, the elimination of world hunger has also, in the global era, become a requirement for safeguarding the peace and stability of the planet.’
Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate,
Truth in Charity, No 27.
Instead of loving what you think is peace,
love other men and women
and love God above all else.
Instead of hating all the people
you think are warmongers,
hate the appetites and disorders in
your own soul which are the causes of war.
Thomas Merton