Four Pillars of Peace from Pope John XXIII in 1963 (Peace on Earth, Pacem in Terris) Xavier James.

 

Four Pillars of Peace

Pacem in Terris – Peace on earth – Pope John XXIII in 1963

I. Truth

Who am I & Why am I?

The basis of any relationship is truth. Satyameva jayate – Truth alone triumphs. 1Kg.12:24, Ps.18:12, Prov.14:22, Is.33:15, Mt. 22:16, Mk.12:32, Lk. 9:27, Jn. 8:32, 14:6, Rom.9:1

II. Justice

For whom am I? Am I for the least, lost, poor, powerless?

Righteousness is sedek, sedakah which is conduct in accordance with Law. Is.1:21-26, Mal.3:18, Mt. 5:10, Innocence Mt.27:4,19, Lk.23:47.

St. Pope John Paul II – If you want peace then work for justice. Proactive & approach and not reactive.

III. Solidarity

Feel and wok for the other’s work. Ez.20:14, Prov.13:16, Jas.2:18-22 Words & deeds have to go hand in hand. Persons become icon of Trust, Hope, Forgiveness like St. Mother Teresa.

IV. Freedom

Gal.5:1, 3:28, Col.3:11. Christian freedom is the life of Spirit to break barriers and build bridges. Relationship is with responsibility Rom.8:7. It reminds us to speak truth, to promote justice, to express solidarity and to respect other’s freedom at all levels in order to promote process and product of peace to avoid violence. It is to encourage understanding and experience reality of Vasudeva kutumbakam Whole world is my family. Family members never expose one another but rather accept and appreciate the other as persons as well as correct compassionately.