Patriarch Calls for World Peace in 2013

In his recent Christmas Encyclical, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has declared 2013 to be a "Year of Global Solidarity" in which he hopes that the powers that be in the world will make strides toward global peace and the eradication of hunger. While I lack the optimism of the Ecumenical Patriarch with regard to wold governments, I cannot help but applaud his sentiments and, more importantly, his audacity. Ours is, after all, a radical hope for a true ideal, one which we must pursue even in the certainty that our efforts will fail.

Let us rejoice in gladness for the ineffable condescension of God.The angels precede us singing: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will among all people.”

Yet, on earth we behold and experience wars and threats of wars. Still, the joyful announcement is in no way annulled. Peace has truly come to earth through reconciliation between God and people in the person of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, however, we human beings have not been reconciled, despite God’s sacred will. We retain a hateful disposition for one another. We discriminate against one another by means of fanaticism with regard to religious and political convictions, by means of greed in the acquisition of material goods, and through expansionism in the exercise of political power. These are the reasons why we come into conflict with one another...

This is why, from this sacred See and Center of Orthodoxy, we proclaim the impending new year as the Year of Global Solidarity.

It is our hope that in this way we may be able to sensitize sufficient hearts among humankind regarding the immense and extensive problem of poverty and the need to assume the necessary measures to comfort the hungry and misfortunate.

As your spiritual father and church leader, we ask for the support of all persons and governments of good will in order that we may realize the Lord’s peace on earth – the peace announced by the angels and granted by the infant Jesus. If we truly desire this peace, which transcends all understanding, we are obliged to pursue it palpably instead of being indifferent to the spiritual and material vulnerability of our brothers and sisters, for whom Christ was born...

We hope earnestly and pray fervently that the dawning 2013 will be for everyone a year of global solidarity, freedom, reconciliation, good will, peace and joy. May the pre-eternal Word of the Father, who was born in a manger, who united angels and human beings into one order, establishing peace on earth, grant to all people patience, hope and strength, while blessing the world with the divine gifts of His love. Amen.

At the End of January

Here are some edifying thoughts on the outset of a new year offered by Homer L. King in the Jan. 1, 1942 edition of the Old Paths Advocate:

The year, 1941, will have closed by the time this reaches our readers. Thus we are one year nearer the end of our earthly journey and the coming of our Lord to judge the world. How well have we used the time offered to us the past 12 months? Have we "redeemed the time," knowing the "days are evil," or has it been just another year of lost opportunities to us?

...As we contemplate the sacrifice, the trials, temptations, and battles, that, no doubt, will be ours in a world torn with strife, war, mass slaughter of human life and of property, we feel more and more the importance of walking closer to the Good Master and of being often in prayer. While there is never a time for compromise with error, and we must ever keep in mind to "earnestly contend for the faith once delivered," yet I do believe we should strive all the more to "endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace." May all bitterness, clamor, envy, gossip, evil speaking of one another, jealousy, especially preacher jealousy, and back-biting be put away from among us as brethren, and may we be bound more closely together by bonds of Christian love. Being thus prepared, we should be able to accomplish much, even in the face of apparent obstacles.

It is, undoubtedly, a better New Year's resolution than most.