What is Peace?

As we mark again the Mindanao Week of Peace, we ask the question: What is Peace?

The scholars will always say that peace is not only the absence of war and violence. It is something more.

There was this forum convened in a conflict-affected area and the participants were asked to give words related to “peace”. So there were words like “Guns”, “Rido”, “Bombs”. Then one elderly participant stood up and answered: “Toilet”. The surprised facilitator asked: “Why toilet? Please explain.”

And so she said that due to lack of common toilets, there was no peace amongst neighbors. They fought and bicker. It disrupted peace among them.

As we start the season of Advent, let peace begin within each of us. “ Peace is the work of Justice and the effect of charity… Earthly peace is the image and fruit of the peace of Christ, the messianic Prince of Peace” (CCC 2304-2305). Remember the lyrics of the song: “ Let there be peace … and peace begins with you.”