And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust for ever.

                                                                         Isaiah 32:17, RSV  

A violent person always stands to lose, even though he may win the first battle, for he ends up isolated and hedged around by his lack of understanding.

Furrow, No 867, by St Josemaría Escrivá(1902-1975)

Nonviolence is not an end in itself; it is a means. The end purpose is life with justice, the beginnings, the ‘already but not yet’ of the Kingdom of God. It is precisely this lack of justice that lays the basis for violence. If we want to remove violence we must first remove injustice.

Island of Tears, Island of Hope, Chapter 6, by Fr Niall O’Brien

Eco-Ideas for Urban Planners

Cities and heavily populated areas are now a major ecological threat to the region where the cities are located as well as to the whole planet. It has become essential that city planners must seriously undertake action plans to curb the ecological damage of urban growth. Commercial and residential planning for example must take into consideration steps to reduce the use of cars by planning business locations within walking distances of residential areas.

Here are some ideas as presented by Peter Berg:

• Cities should implement full-scale recycling programs and promote the use of recycled materials.

• Buildings should be made to use renewable energy.

• Single-passenger automobile use should be heavily discouraged through increased tolls; gasoline taxes should be imposed to pay for more public transit; downtown streets should be closed to private automobiles.

• Planning decisions should be framed around residents' interest in preserving neighborhood livability.

• Public information programs should teach natural features, native plants and animals in the city to all school grade levels.

Peace Ideas, Issue No. 20

 "...When we learn how to say goodbye we truly learn how to say to ourselves and others: 'Go, God be with you. I entrust you to God. The God of strength, courage, comfort, hope, love, is with you. The God who promises to wipe away all tears will hold you close and will fill your emptiness. Let go and be free to move on.' "                                                          

Praying Our Goodbyes by Sr Joyce Rupp OSM

The Teardrop

The story is told that one day the angels from heaven swooped down to earth in search of the best gift for the Father in heaven. One by one they came back and presented to God the best gifts they found. The Father was pleased, but His joy was so apparent and complete when a little angel came up to Him. Opened his hands and showed the Father a teardrop from a person he saw praying and crying in a dark chapel, burdened by so much trials yet still hopeful, still strong, still holding on.

According to the story, the Father stood up, embraced the little angel with the words ‘You have brought me the best gift of all. Those people who have problems and failures but still go on, are very close to my heart!’

from Just a Moment by Fr Jerry M. Orbos SVD

St John Mary Vianney taught his parishioners primarily by the witness of his life. It was from his example that they learned to pray, halting frequently before the tabernacle for a visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. ‘One need not say much to pray well’ – the Curé explained to them – ‘We know that Jesus is there in the tabernacle: let us open our hearts to him, let us rejoice in his sacred presence. That is the best prayer’.

 Pope Benedict XVI, Letter Proclaiming a Year for Priests, 16 June 2009