April 21, 2025

Dear Friends,

The Interfaith Peace Project continues its ongoing observance of the International Day of Peace (September 21) and International Women’s Day (March 8), by sending out reflections on the eighth and twenty-first of every month. On March 8, Fr. Tom started a 10 part series on the Beloved Community. You will receive a section of the series on the 8th and 21st of each month through July 21, 2025. If you miss a part of the series, you can find it on our blog at interfaithpeaceproject.org. If you have anything that you would like to share, please contact:

Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P.
[email protected]
925-787-9279

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THE BELOVED COMMUNITY PART 4
“COMMUNITY”
CONTINUING TO OBSERVE
THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
by Thomas P. Bonacci & Melissa Granchi

We continue our reflections on the Beloved Community by reflecting on the word and reality of “community.” The Community of Humankind forms but one family. The diversity of people who form that community have the potential to bless and transform the world. The quest for the Beloved Community in which all people are free and safe is emerging in our world because there are people who respect and honor all people today. Throughout the world, people are dedicated to living the values and virtues of the Beloved Community as they contribute to the formation of the Beloved Community.  

We must remember the Beloved Community extends to all the Earth in all its variety and splendor. Melissa Granchi, a member of the Board of Directors of the Interfaith Peace Project, offers some important insights concerning the Beloved Community:

Earth as Community

Earth is our home. This is something that our human community has in common. At times, it might be the only reliable connection with other people. We can notice the weather together. Walk in a park while hearing the birds and wind in the trees. Feeling the breeze on our skin as we greet a neighbor walking their dog as we quickly step away from a passing car closing in at our feet on the edge of the sidewalk. Every day we are all on our planet. 

Our earth holds all people. Our earth carries all creatures that we as people can be aware of and many we cannot. We are experiencing our earth through each of us and through the other creatures we encounter. This might be in a friendly dog, a not so friendly protective goose, or the waters that flow in the river. I am earth and earth is we.

Our home planet contains us all. We have that in common, earthling as identity alongside people, plants, rocks, water, mountains, trees, whales. In fact, a divine messenger or an alien visitor might encounter squirrels in a city park and greet them as earthlings. 

How can I connect, care and respect other earthlings? How can I have compassion for all beings on our planet? As we consider our identity as an earth community, self-compassion and love can ripple out into the world in one friendly smile, a casual hello, picking up a piece of litter, holding a door for someone, taking our aunt’s dog for a walk, relocating a spider from our kitchen ceiling to the tree outside, noticing the blue in the sky, appreciating rain and a star-studded night. Our human communities reach out beyond the identities that we hold personally and collectively. Earth is our home and community. 

Blessings to you, Holy Community, for all the times you contribute to the upbuilding of the Beloved Community in your care for the Earth and one another.

Our next reflection will consider the splendor of diversity in the quest for the Beloved Community.