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Violence is an act of aggression that often rankles even the lost even-tempered of persons. Yet we are invited to reflect on what the Christian response is today. Do we react to violence with violence? Force by force? Or is Jesus showing us another way - the way of non-violence? Indeed we are called as Christians to seek justice by speaking out for the truth and standing up against corruption, aggression and evil in the world. Violence can also be seen as a struggle that exists between the forces of good and evil. In today's reading, it seems strange that the evangelist of Matthew's Gospel should talk of the Kingdom of God as being subjected to violence and that the violent are taking it by storm. This was the case up to the time of John the Baptist. With the coming of the Messiah, a new order is about to dawn on humankind. Jesus as the Messiah is about to break into history and change the course of events by His intervention in human life. He is now heralding to us the reality of God's power and presence in our lives. The power of good overcoming evil; of non-violence overcoming violence. This is the moral force that produces great men of conviction and vision like Mohandas Ghandi and Nelson Mandela. We may experience violence, but Jesus is the Lord of history. He will emerge triumphant over violence, sin and death. Lord deliver the poor from wicked persons and restore justice and dignity to them as God's children. |
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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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That the celebration of the Jubilee may become the source of a new commitment in men and women of good will to protect and promote human life.
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In the threshold of the year 2001, it is our duty to renew our commitment to safeguarding the dignity of the poor and marginalised and to recognise in a practical way the rights of those who have no rights. This is the spirit of the new millennium which presupposes the following: The basic right to life which is inviolable which involves a positive choice for life. The development of a culture of this kind embraces all the circumstances of life and ensures the promotion of human dignity in every situation. Recent developments in the field of genetic engineering present a profoundly disquieting challenge. In order that scientific research in this area may be at the service of the person, it must be accompanied at every stage by careful ethical reflection, which will bring about adequate legal norms safeguarding the integrity of human life. Life can never be downgraded to the level of a thing. To choose life involves rejecting every form of violence. In every circumstance, the right to life must be promoted and safeguarded with appropriate legal and political guarantees. Let us raise our voices on their behalf. | |
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