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 TWO
VISION AND HOPE
Continuing to Observe The International Day of Peace
by Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P.

Adobe Stock 985922170 By Imsuniyah

We are tempted to lose vision and hope in times of trouble and upset. We might think that the bullying strategies of the powerful and greedy will be victorious over common decency, fair play, and virtue. Those who seek to be somebody by hurting others will ultimately destroy themselves. They might even be afraid of their capacity to love and empathize with others. Tyrants have done untold damage to the peoples of the world. Their power and influence are frightening and alarming. Oppressors seek to break the spirit of those they hate and resent. The ruler addicted to power and greed is often baffled when the oppressed sing, rejoice, and dance. They may rage when the Beloved Community suddenly emerges with its vision and hope for a Better World for everyone.

Consider the Ukrainian people and their celebration of the springtime festival of Masnytsia. Even in the throes of war, they find time to sing, joyfully eat with one another, and burn bonfires in the night as they welcome the Season of Spring into their lives, greeting the light that shines in the darkness. Oppressors cannot understand how people can find joy, purpose, and peace without anger, resentment, and retaliation. Love is the antidote to hate.

Every oppressed or persecuted community finds its soul in the midst of conflict and division. The human capacity to love, forgive, reconcile, and make amends is stronger and more resilient than the desire to hate and hurt. It is important to remember that most of the religions of the World were born out of strife and rejection if not martyrdom. The modern Interreligious movement invites us to rediscover the roots of our various Traditions to find anew the vision and hope they offer to the World. The wisdom found in the heart of these great Traditions is deep in our hearts as human persons. All of us belong to one human (Beloved) family, and we must share our wisdom with one another in order to flourish. 

We must rise beyond any ingrained biases or prejudices we might have. We must resist the oppressors and tyrants of this World with our love and respect for one another. We must overcome their attempt to make us hate one another by loving one another as we seek together to discover what is right, just, true, and beautiful. Consider the wise advice of John Lewis:        

“Release the need to hate, to harbor division, and the enticement of revenge. Release all bitterness. Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle of good to overcome evil is already won. Choose confrontation wisely, but when it is your time don’t be afraid to stand up, speak up, and speak out against injustice. And if you follow your truth down the road to peace and the affirmation of love, if you shine like a beacon for all to see, then the poetry of all the great dreamers and philosophers is yours to manifest in a nation, a world community, and a Beloved Community that is finally at peace with itself.”

― John Lewis, Across That Bridge: 
A Vision for Change and the Future of America

Blessings to you, Beloved Community, for seeking to understand, empathize, and witness to truth as you seek to be generous of heart, mind, and soul.

Next essay explores the word “Beloved”