Give Peace a Chance

“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness,” James 3:18. Bearers of peace are promised of blessedness, which can never be bestowed on conquerors or others who have their own self-interest. Peace begins in oneself, and these seekers of peace believe that peace is not the total absence of conflict or chaos, but it is handling these problems in a peaceful manner, which involves understanding of different factors such as culture, traditions and beliefs. It is a matter of being a mediator to conflicting parties or people, not using any force, but through dialogue.

Every day the Lord God gives another day, another moment, another blessing, and another chance to achieve what we want to, and if it is peace we seek, we should do whatever we can to pursue it. Every day we pretend that each moment is the same as yesterday, and would be the same tomorrow; we pretend that change cannot happen, and it is impossible to achieve it. What we do not know is that the probability of achieving such impossible task is to work for it continually. One cannot achieve peace if he only plans to do it in one sitting. Change cannot happen overnight, and peace cannot be achieved if there is no cooperation, determination and eagerness of the majority. In a world consumed of chaotic happenings, it is only vital that we celebrate Mindanao Week of Peace.

Celebrated annually during the last Thursday of the month of November until the first Wednesday of December is the Mindanao Week of Peace, wherein different religious sectors participate to pursue a common goal which is to achieve peace for everyone. This year’s theme is “Peace through Dialogue: Our Destiny” which revolves around making peace by means of understanding. It emphasized that the means of dialogue is way better than the use of brutal force which could erupt during disagreement. Many religious sectors participated in this year’s celebration, showing people that they are doing what they can to achieve the peace that most desires.

The closing ceremony was held last December 5, 2018 with an activity called “Bisita Mosque, Bisita Simbahan” which happened in San Pedro Cathedral and ended at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. Each religious leader from different religious sectors shared their different perspective of peace. They also urged everyone, especially the youth to follow their footsteps, to nurture the seeds that they have planted. They urged the youth to continue the celebration for the future generations to follow, emphasizing that peace can be achieved through communication.

Gracing the ceremony are the different religious leaders as conveyors, Aleem Mahmod Mala Adilao for the Muslim community, Pastor Roger Lofranco for the United Church of Christ Philippines, and Rev. Fr. Pedro Lamata for the Roman Catholics. They each shared their different perspective of peace at the pastoral building at San Pedro Cathedral, followed by a tour of the cathedral and its brief history. Every one proceeded to the UCCP church after for the closing ceremony took place. A brief history of the UCCP was also told during the event.

“The most important dialogue after presence is to listen to one another,” according to Archbishop Emeritus Fernando R. Capalla D.D. He emphasized that in celebrating the Mindanao Week of Peace, they do not only want to achieve it within the barricades of Davao, but for the whole Mindanao. He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards everyone who became a part of the celebration. He also added that “the ultimate purpose of the celebration is to unite; Unify everyone,” emphasizing that whatever culture someone grew up with, whatever tradition they have been practicing, whichever religion they prefer to follow, they are still contributors of peace, the agents of change that could bring a difference in Mindanao, and maybe, in the world.

Pastor Roger Lofranco from the United Church of Christ Philippines also said that even if they cannot really be there to see how the Mindanao Week of Peace would contribute to a big change in the future, at least, he was there when it began, and for now, they have achieved a lot and soared through greater heights. He also added that the Dialogue of Peace contributed a lot, and it has achieved so much already. They have been doing a lot ever since they began this celebration, and through this, a lot of conflicts have been resolved and understanding reigned in different forms, and this was made possible by dialogue, the art of communicating with each other.

Peace can never be obtained by means of force, it can only be achieved and maintained through understanding, keeping in mind that the goal is to let the power of love reign and eradicate the love of power. Emphasizing that agents of change should build a bridge through communication and dialogue in order to achieve the peace that each and every one is seeking. (Andrea Jeanne Abundo | HCDC Masscom Intern)