This Easter Tuesday

I cry

I cry out to the Risen Christ

He who calls us to peace

He who witnessed to peace through his own life, suffering, death, and resurrection

He who calls us to put away our swords

He who breaks open our hearts and calls us

To love. Always. Always to love.

Because God is love. We are made for love.

Risen Christ,

I cry out this day when my country’s leaders threaten unimaginable violence and destruction,

Choosing war over peace.

May we say no to war. Always.

“War is always a defeat for humanity.” -Pope John Paul II

“War… has always been rightly considered a calamity that clashes with God’s plan”. -Pope Benedict XVI

“War is the suicide of humanity because it kills the heart and kills love.” -Pope Francis

“Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: ‘Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood’ (Is 1:15). -Pope Leo

Christ our peace strengthen and inspire us to pray, speak, and work for peace.

May we lay down our weapons and open our hearts as we follow you, the nonviolent one.

“The power with which Christ rose is entirely nonviolent.” -Pope Leo