Is it utopia? Is it an ideal? Is it a cherished desire that we may never be able to fulfill?
Peace exists, it’s there, by our side, and each of us can encounter it in our daily lives. Sometimes, all you have to do is open your eyes – and your heart – and you’ll suddenly be amazed at the number of people who greet you, smile at you or express their desire to help you when they see you in difficulty.
These small gestures that contribute to peace and a better world are not that rare. But we often don’t talk about them…
Newspapers, the media and social networks give more than their due of misfortune and sensationalism! So much noise when a terrible news item is announced, then a few days later, nothing! And yet, we were distracted by the noise!
So, in 2025, what are we going to focus on?
St. Francis de Sales said, “Good makes no noise, and noise makes no good.”
Where do we turn our gaze? It’s a fact that noise attracts our attention. But if we allow ourselves to be distracted by this noise, we forget the little signs of peace that punctuate our days: the trusting glance of a child or spouse, the thank you or forgiveness of a colleague… it’s so easy to give in to gloom…
No, peace is not a utopia!
It’s confidence in those small gestures that make no noise but do so much good.
Peace is a militant act: it invites us to refuse to let ourselves be distracted and to turn our gaze towards what builds the city and living together.
For the believer, this peace is above all a gift from God.
It’s the peace that Jesus Christ gives those who draw near to Him, a peace stronger than all our fears, worries, uncertainties and doubts; a lasting peace.
This peace then becomes a responsibility for the believer: to keep it and make it grow.
It’s a peace that goes far beyond what we can see with our eyes. A peace that is hope and assurance.
As we begin 2025, the team of the Christian Embassy of Paris wishes you a year of peace: peace for the world, peace for each of the countries represented, peace in our cities and neighborhoods, peace in our families, with our spouses, and not to be forgotten, peace with ourselves!
May peace shine forth in your lives, your homes, your teams and your countries!
