(Editor’s note: The following is a submission to The Recorder’s weekly column titled “Faith Matters.” Each Saturday, a different faith leader in Franklin County offers a personal religious perspective in this space. For information on becoming part of this series, email religion@recorder.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 265.)
By REV. ANTHONY F. CULLEN
Pastor, St. Joseph Parish
What is going on in our world with the violence and upheaval that is taking place? What is happening? Where are we headed?
What is the real cause of all this?
These are questions on the minds of many people all over the world. We used to enjoy relative peace of mind for the future. Now chaos in many areas of our world seems to be the order of the day — reported to us via the news and social media. It is most disturbing and can create a lack of tranquility in our daily life.
We are witnessing the horrendous and terrifying sights of war and terrorism in our country and the world. Wars: Syria, Iraq, Israel, Afghanistan, Africa, Turkey, to mention this few. Terrorism, at home and abroad: Florida, Texas, Michigan, Brussels, Paris and many other places. There is turmoil and chaos. We are constantly being exposed to the news of the slaying of innocent citizens, soldiers, first responders (especially law enforcement officers) and we must never forget those maimed and injured physically and emotionally, which is numbered in the thousands.
If we are honest, we question the real reason for all this — even politicians use the word publicly and recognize it for what it is — EVIL. We need to find a cure for this.
To try and understand the nature and essence of evil, let us spell the word “evil” backwards and we have the word “live.” Can we change the word “live” to LIFE?
Evil is the extreme and absolute opposite of life. Its essence and nature is to destroy human life or lessen the quality of human life (maiming, scarring, etc.). Its ultimate aim (and delight) is the taking of human life — killing or murdering.
God, born as man, Jesus of Nazareth, has told us and reminds us of His two Commandments: love of God and our fellow man (Matt 22:36-40) and we recall the Ten Commandments with the special command, “You shall not kill” (Exodus 20: 1-17).
Jesus, our God, taught us the need to pray but actually only taught us one prayer that all Christians have in common, known as the “Our Father” (Matt 6:9-13). This is, therefore, the most sacred prayer we have. It is the most powerful to use in all circumstances. Let us use it — or should I say, pray it — for the eradication or annihilation of evil and so pray for peace in our world.
“Our Father who art in heaven” — He instructs us that the Father is God and heaven is a reality.
“Hallowed be Thy name” — He is deserving of our praise, glory, honor, thanksgiving, adoration and much more.
“Thy Kingdom come” — in our daily lives for Him to reside within ourselves now; and for the Kingdom to be fully restored in our world at the end of time.
“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” — How can I ever achieve this fully with all my weaknesses and shortcomings? We pray for this to happen and do our very best always to achieve it with His help.
“Give us this day our daily bread” — We ask Him to feed us with His Presence within us and in the hearts and minds of people of good will, which realistically is the vast majority of people in all countries. In feeding us, he strengthens us to achieve the full content of this prayer. We are fed by communicating with Him each day through prayer; and as Catholic Christians we believe we receive His full and Real Presence (Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity) in the Eucharist, which is celebrated every day in our churches. His will being done on this earth will bring true, lasting and real peace.
“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” — We seek his mercy and forgiveness so as to fulfill His will but we must be willing to forgive others also so that we can live in tranquility and peace.
“DELIVER US FROM EVIL” — everyone, everywhere, deliver us from any life taking.
WE PRAY JESUS’S PRAYER FOR WORLD PEACE.
Established in 1883, the parish consists of St. Joseph Church in Shelburne Falls, St. Christopher Mission in Charlemont and St. John the Baptist Mission in Colrain. The parish supports the Hilltown Food Pantry, Good Neighbors Food Pantry, West County Food Pantry, Western Mass. Food Bank, Heifer International, The Haitian Projecct and Alternatives Pregnancy Center. The parish also has its own Food Pantry, operated by their Youth Ministry, for parishioners. Our Outreach Ministry visits the ill and homebound. Our Youth Ministry is working hard to end hunger by raising the sum of $5,000 to purchase an “ark” of animals through Heifer International. Knights of Columbus Trinity Council #16354 meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall. RCIA classes begin in September if you are interested in Catholicism or becoming a Catholic. All are welcome. For more information and schedule of masses, call 413-625-6405 or visit st.josephccsf@comcast.net.