Divine Appeal Reflection - 250
Today, consider in Divine Appeal 250: "Rulers talk about peace and they prepare themselves for war."
Our Adorable Jesus reveals with divine clarity the painful contradiction that lies at the heart of modern leadership. So often, those in positions of power speak of peace in polished speeches and solemn declarations, yet beneath the surface lie actions rooted in fear, pride, and the desire to dominate. Military spending continues to rise; new weapons are crafted while treaties are ignored. The result is a tragic gap between what is said and what is done—a loss of integrity, not only in politics but in the soul of humanity. True peace, as the Catechism reminds us, is not just the absence of violence but the fruit of justice, order, and love rightly lived (cf. CCC 2304). When leaders publicly commit to peace while preparing silently for war, they distort the divine harmony God desires for creation.
This is not just a problem of diplomacy—it is a moral and spiritual collapse. At its root is a world that has distanced itself from God’s law, preferring self-will over divine wisdom. In a culture that denies original sin, where conscience is dulled and truth is treated as relative, the idea of peace becomes shallow and fragile. Without the foundation of truth, peace can be manipulated into a façade—used to mask aggression or justify self-interest. St. Augustine taught that peace flows from rightly ordered love—first for God, then for neighbor (City of God, Book XIX). When that order is lost, love becomes selfish, and “peace” becomes a tool of the powerful. Our Adorable Jesus, meek and crucified, invites us to learn from Him. His peace is not political convenience, but the fruit of suffering love—a love that forgives, that heals, that transforms.
The world today shows clearly how far we are from this peace. In places like the Holy Land, Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti, and so many forgotten corners of the world, violence erupts not only from guns and missiles, but from wounds left by decades of injustice, abandonment, and unkept pledges. The anguish of the innocent ascends to Heaven, mingled with the smoke of destruction and the tears of the forsaken. But the unrest is not only global—it’s local. Our homes, parishes, and neighborhoods often carry silent wars of mistrust, betrayal, and division. Even the Church, wounded by scandal and infighting, feels the sting of disunity. The evil one thrives in such disorder, blinding souls with confusion and despair. Sacred Scripture cautions us that when people cry “peace and safety,” disaster may be near (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:3). This is not divine punishment, but the natural consequence of building peace without repentance, justice, or humility. Where Christ is ignored, true peace cannot take root.
What can we do amid such brokenness? The answer is not found in political solutions alone, but in deep interior conversion. We must begin in the heart—our own hearts—by allowing grace to reorder our desires and our priorities. Our Blessed Mother, whose womb cradled the Prince of Peace, shows us that real healing begins not with power, but with a quiet yes to God’s plan. Her life was not free from sorrow, yet it was entirely open to grace. Saints throughout history, such St. John Paul II, who forgave his attacker, and St. Josephine Bakhita, who transformed grief into gentleness, did not flee sorrow but instead allowed love to triumph.The world may not understand them, but heaven receives them. They remind us that peace is established not only through large actions, but also through the simple decisions we make every day: how we communicate, forgive, and love. Wherever we are—at the dinner table, in busy streets, or kneeling in the pew—we are expected to be bearers of peace that the world cannot provide. We must reconstruct the moral foundations that the world has abandoned through prayer, acts of kindness, and fidelity to the Gospel. The Church reminds us that peace is not a theory—it is a responsibility that begins with every baptized soul (cf. CCC 2307–2317). Our Adorable Jesus longs for hearts ready to receive His peace—not counterfeit, but divine and everlasting.
Prayer:
Our Adorable Jesus, loving and wounded Savior, have mercy on this weary world that seeks peace yet clings to the ways of war. Soften hardened hearts, especially among leaders and nations. Stir in us a desire to be peacemakers—humble, faithful, and rooted in You. Through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, make us living signs of Your Kingdom. Amen.
Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.
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