For all that has been

 

1^st January - Feast of Mary Mother of God & World Day of PEACE

 “For all that has been,
                                      Thank you.

For all that is to come,
                                      Yes!”                      (Dag Hammarskjold)

The above quote by Dag Hammarskjold never loses its power.  It is also very apt at the beginning of a NEW YEAR. Dag Hammarskjold was a man who was an inspiration to our world and whose influence continues through his writings. He was Secretary General of the United Nations and worked tirelessly for PEACE. He was also a spiritual man and all he did was guided by his inner compass.

He encouraged prayer and silent meditation while faithfully carrying out his duties. He endeavoured to work for peace in conflicted areas of the world.

Pope Francis in his Christmas message to the world (Urbi et Orbi)speaks out strongly as he prays and pleads for PEACE. He has this to say ‘if we say “yes” to the Prince of Peace, then, that means saying “no” to war; to every war and to do so with courage, “no” to the very mindset of war, an aimless voyage, a defeat without victors, an inexcusable folly.’ And he continues ‘to say “no” to war means saying “no” to weaponry. The human heart is weak and impulsive; if we find instruments of death in our hands, sooner or later we will use them. And how can we even speak of peace, when arms production, sales and trade are on the rise?’

Peace is the fruit of relationships that recognize and welcome others in their inalienable dignity and right to life.

As we begin a new year we renew our desire to pray and work for peace. Peace with ourselves, peace in our hearts and peace in our world.

A Blessed New Year to you and your families from the Sisters at St. Joseph’s Monastery Kilmacud

A Prayer for the Year
By Pope Francis

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe

and in the smallest of your creatures. 

You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.

Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty. 

Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.

O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned 

and forgotten of this Earth,
so precious in your eyes.

Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it, 

that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.

Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the Earth.

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,

to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize 

that we are profoundly united with every creature 

as we journey towards your infinite light.

We thank you for being with us each day. 

Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.

Amen.