Peace is not an absence of conflict and violence.  It is a set of relationships based on justice, participation and a recognition of our mutual humanity and inter-dependence.

It is easy to blame those who stridently highlight injustice and oppression as being the ones who disturb the peace, but they are in fact pointing out that peace does not exist where there is institutional violence or injustice.

Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, not by ignoring sources of conflict and violence, but by committing ourselves to non-violent action to bring about a set of relationships based on justice, equality and participation.

Let us say together a short litany of peace:

We commit ourselves:

To being peacemakers in our own lives, families, and communities as well as nationally and internationally

All: Blessed are the peacemakers

To building relationships based on justice, equality and participation as the only true basis for a peaceful society

All: Blessed are the peacemakers

To forgiving others when they do wrong against us

All: Blessed are the peacemakers

To not ignoring the real sources of conflict and violence

All: Blessed are the peacemakers

To not retaliating when we are attacked or criticised

All: Blessed are the peacemakers

To resolving conflict constructively through dialogue

All: Blessed are the peacemakers