In Syria, children are dying. People are leaving their homes for safer havens. Young men are being conscripted for the ongoing war and strife. People would love to hear messages of peace and put a stop to their sufferings and be liberated from the horrors of war. War does not makes sense yet peace does not seem to be an option for the leaders of these people.
In Manila, people are outraged at the blatant corruption of leaders who have raided and plundered public funds. Greed and duplicity reigns in the hearts of those elected by people to serve them and look after the common good and not their self-interests. People would love to see these leaders repent and make restoration of what they have stolen. They long to be liberated from the oppression by their own leaders.
In the US, people struggle through fear and uncertainty in an environment of affluence and plenty. There is a lot of noise and activity to drive away loneliness and isolation. There are a lot of things to acquire and a lot of things to do; yet emptiness and boredom is evident in many place. People long to hear the good news that will drive away their loneliness and emptiness.
I will choose peace, love and reconciliation over strife and conflict. I will choose integrity and honesty over deception and lies. I will choose faith and hope over despair, angst and ennui. I will give blessings instead of curses. I will be the bearer of good news and glad tidings. I will choose good over evil. I will choose to believe in the goodness there in people.
The apostle Paul writes to the Romans: “Bless your persecutors; never curse them, bless them. … Never pay back evil with evil. … Never try to get revenge. … If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink. … Do not be mastered by evil, but master evil with good” (Romans 12:14-21).
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’
Then he began to say to them,
‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’
Luke 4:16-19,21,24,29-30