September 21, 2018
The International Day of Peace
In Celebration of 
The International Day of Peace 2018
Note: Since today is The International Day of Peace, we are re-publishing Fr. Tom's letter first sent on September 11, 2018. 

Dear Friends,

It is becoming more and more common to observe the time between September 11th and September 21 st  as the Eleven Days of Peace.  September 21 st  has long been established as the International Day of Peace and we, at The Interfaith Peace Project, are preparing for its observance by offering eleven reflections concluding on September 21 st .

The International Day of Peace is primarily a day in which we deliberately and consciously practice peace  for twenty-four hours.  Such a practice is based on the philosophy that if we can practice peace for one full day, then, one day at a time, we can practice peace in all the affairs of our lives.  We strive at The Interfaith Peace Project to make every day an International Day of Peace.

Our dear friend and Communications Director, Susan Batterton, has graciously prepared eleven reflections for our consideration.  She brings together the wisdom of  The Declaration on Human Rights and the United States Constitution in an inspiring format that can serve us well in the days to come.
It is very important for the authentic practice of Interfaith Spirituality to discern the wisdom of humankind's search for the dignity and the full human rights of all peoples.  We live in challenging times, to say the least, but we must not give in to despair or hopelessness.  Now is the time to honestly and sincerely probe our minds, hearts, and souls as we seek to bless the World with that justice that makes peace possible. 

Interfaith Spiritual Practice invites us to discover anew the wisdom embedded in our fundamental writings as a Nation and a World so we might live in such a way as to be the peace we seek.  These reflections invite us to respond constructively to the problems and challenges of the present age.

As you prepare to observe The International Day of Peace, please consider these reflections.  May they inspire and challenge you to be the peace you seek.  Discover anew the peace within you and be encouraged to be that peace.  On September 21, wherever you are, with the attitude of your heart, the words from your lips, and the deeds of your hands, bless with peace whoever you meet. 

Please be aware of our gratitude to you for all you do to be the peace the World seeks. 

Peacefully,

Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P.
Executive Director with the Board of Directors
of The Interfaith Peace Project

 

Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 16

Article 16
 
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due
to race, nationality or religion, 
have the right
to marry and to found a family. 
They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage,
during marriage and at its dissolution.

(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and
full consent of the intending spouses.

(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and Is entitled to protection by society and the State.
 


 
 
United States Constitution
The Bill of Rights
Amendments
© Tomasz Zajda   stock.adobe.com

Amendment XIV

All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
 
 
Reflection on Marriage
Contemporary Marriage Vows

We entered into each others lives and experienced love and happiness.

Today I am confirming my promise for all of my life to love  and respect you,
to be faithful and
honest with you,  to give you encouragement, strength and trust,  to stand together in our times of joy and of sorrow.

I pray that our home will be one of love and understanding and patience ...
not to remain the same, but to grow better and stronger with the passing of time, and through the love we have for one another.

Our lives have become joined with the times we have shared, and will be more
complete by the memories ahead, ready to be made.

I am promising from this day forward that I will be your husband/wife,
to walk with you throughout all your tomorrows.

I love you. 


"Contemporary Marriage Vows"; http://weddingsbylance.com/sample    
 


We hope that you have enjoyed our series on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and The United States Constitution. Since there are 30 Articles in the Declaration, we will continue to publish the series on the 21st of each month so that we may cover all 30 Articles. We look forward to your feedback on the series. 

We encourage you to meet with friends, host a group meeting in your home or individually reflect on these International Day of Peace reflections. To print out the Reflection, click on the button below.

There will be no world peace without religious peace
and there will be no religious peace until people of diverse faith,
culture and philosophy meet, engage, and respect each other.




   

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