“Peace be with you“
A prayer and a call
EDITORIAL by Fr. Ngoa Ya Tshihemba
Superior General of the Augustinians of the Assumption
The Assumptionist community of Due Pini (Rome) held its local chapter a few weeks ago. One of the highlights of this chapter was the selection of a theme to guide our prayers, reflections, and activities throughout the year. We quickly agreed on the following theme: “Artisans of Fraternity and Peace with Saint Augustine.” The choice of this theme was motivated by two main reasons: the “Augustinian momentum” currently in the news with the pontificate of Pope Leo (of the Order of Saint Augustine), and the current situation in our societies, shaken by endless conflicts. The desire to live in peace is present in the hearts of many.
Since his first address after his election, Pope Leo has missed no opportunity to pray for peace and call on God’s people to be builders of it. It is worth recalling that his first words as Pope were: “Peace be with you.” When reading news reports about the Pope’s activities, it is striking to see that in almost every speech he gives to the groups and individuals he receives, he speaks constantly of peace. Recently, on the flight from Rome to Paris, the Pope told the journalists accompanying him: “First and foremost, I am going to France, as everywhere else in the world, as a disciple of Jesus Christ to proclaim peace, the peace of Christ throughout the world. This is a message that, as we all know, is important at this time.” (quoted by Vatican News)
Our community therefore joins in the Pope’s prayer and appeal for world peace, a peace so many people yearn for, including our brothers and sisters in various communities. I believe that if we want to be peacemakers, we must first live it within our own communities. Remember the saying: “You can’t give what you don’t have.” Let us hope that when we speak of this peace, of true peace, it will be a way of bearing witness to the peace we already experience. If not, then we would be playing a game that we cannot name.
Our local chapters are opportunities to return to the guidelines of the General Chapter. It seems important to recall here number 61 of the Acts of the 34th General Chapter: “Without forgetting the many other situations of violence and injustice, the Chapter wishes to identify some significant places which make us more aware and encourage us to commit ourselves to peace, justice, and fraternity, requirements of the Kingdom of God: – Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the blood of the massacred and the suffering of the innocent who lose everything and are forced to leave their land cry out to heaven. – The desert frontiers in El Paso, Texas, and the maritime frontiers on the coasts of Greece, Italy, and Spain, places of suffering and death for thousands of migrants. – The Amazon, which in its tragedy represents all the violence perpetrated against our Mother Earth and against the peoples most closely connected to Nature.” (Acts no. 61). But where to begin? In our communities, of course: “The mission of the Assumption is to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Our first mission is fraternal life lived in community as followers of Saint Augustine.” (Acts no. 99)
The challenges may seem overwhelming. But let us not underestimate the strength of those who feel weak when they unite for a just cause. I still remember the encouragement of Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio, who spoke to us at the 34th General Chapter about the urgent need to work for peace and fraternity, “without being afraid to make history with the strength of the weak where violence reigns.’’ My prayer is that the personal and community initiatives launched at the beginning of this community year may draw us closer to the heart of Jesus Christ, who spent his life on earth defending the least and the excluded, those who are so often the first victims of violence, exclusion, and hatred in our societies. May this prayer of Father d’Alzon become our own and nourish our desire to work for peace. “Lord, give me the prayer of apostolic men and grant that in this prayer, if I am not yet an apostle enough, I may become a little more so each day.” (E.S. p. 626)