"Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart..." Joel 2:12
In Ash Wednesday services all across the world, these are the first words -- a plea to return to our God -- proclaimed to us as we set out on our Lenten journey.
"A commitment to nonviolence is an act of hope. It requires careful theological reflection on the values of our faith tradition in specific situations of violent conflict and war. It requires presence, accompaniment and the nurturing of relationships across boundaries - boundaries between countries and cultures, even neighborhoods..."
As we begin this Lenten season, I invite you to join others in our movement in "returning" to God by embracing and living out our shared "commitment to nonviolence". I invite you to explore how you can make that commitment more visible in your own life and in the life of your community and nation.
I also ask you to remember the common work we do together as members of the Pax Christi International network, with 120 member organizations on 5 continents, proclaiming nonviolence by word and deed. I hope during this holy season you'll consider a special gift to Pax Christi International to help us continue to place gospel nonviolence at the center of the conversation taking place within our Church today, as announced so beautifully in Pope Francis's World Day of Peace message for 2017.You can give easily, quickly and securely by clicking here.
My blessings go with you as we begin these 40 days of preparation, walking with the nonviolent Jesus toward Jerusalem, toward the cross -- and ultimately to Easter Sunday and resurrection. Let us mark this season by being Christ's witnesses to the power and promise of nonviolence for our world today.
