Vatican cardinal, in Nagasaki, preaches on true peace

August 12, 2013

Preaching at Nagasaki on the anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb there, Cardinal Peter Turkson emphasized that true peace is a gift from God.

Referring to the Beatitudes, the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace preached that “if Jesus teaches that true blessedness lies in these antitheses/opposites to the popularly recognized forms and goals of happiness, it is neither to deny peace and happiness in this world, nor to put their experience on earth in the here and now, beyond the reach of man,” according to Vatican Radio.

“It is rather to draw attention to the words of Jesus that He gives peace not as the world gives it,” he continued. “Accordingly, it is also to draw attention to the attitude and disposition with which man pursues true peace and happiness on earth. It is with the attitude of the ‘contrite of heart and humble of spirit’ of the Old Testament; and it is with the attitude of the disciple of Jesus in the New Testament.”

“It is in recognition that true peace and happiness are beyond the ways of sinful humanity,” Cardinal Turkson added. “Their presence, then, must be a favor, undeserved, but gratuitously bestowed out of love by Him, who does not deal with us as our sins require.”

 

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Further information:

• Card. Turkson: Peace and happiness must come from God (Vatican Radio)
• Forgiveness is the root of peace (L’Osservatore Romano)