Peace for Ukraine
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
Dear People,
The Christmas message from the Gospel of Saint Luke,
“The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 1:10-14)
And like the angels, we remember and proclaim the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus. And like the angels, we proclaim that the Lord will bring peace to the world.
A story of hope for the glory and peace for the world comes from the Christmas of 1914. The story remembers a celebration during the First World War. The armies were facing one another in trenches that stretched across the continent of Europe. It was a global war they believed was the war to end all wars.
Despite being surrounded by death and destruction, the soldiers on both sides took time to celebrate Christmas. During the cease fire, the shooting and bombs stopped, and the soldiers began to sing. The brass band played Christmas Carols. The soldiers went into no man’s land zone between the entrenched armies singing, exchanging gift of food and drink. They even played a game of football before they were called back to their trenches by their officers.
Unfortunately, the cease fire did not last and the First World War was not the war to end all wars. One hundred years later, the video images from the current trench war in Ukraine are disturbingly similar to the news reels of World War I. We try to follow the angel’s proclamation and not be afraid for we believe in the power of God to transform the hearts of leaders and bring peace to end the war.
We pray in a special way for peace in Ukraine. Two million soldiers are in pitched battle in trenches, on the sea and in the air. We pray for the souls of thousands of soldiers and civilians who have died or been injured. More than just a Christmas cease fire, we pray that a just and lasting peace can be reached soon. We thank all who have responded and given to the collection for support to those in Ukraine.
We pray also for the over ten million that have been forced from their homes and living in hope of someday returning. Just like Mary and Joseph on the first Christmas, they are wandering in search of a safe home in which to celebrate this Christmas. We pray for our families to be safe where ever winds of fate have moved them. May all our family and friends be blessed during the Christmas Season.
Jesus came to bring peace to the world. As he said in the Gospel of Saint John, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you (John 14.27). When we are at peace, our hearts are opened to all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. May the peace of Jesus Christ born in Bethlehem come into your hearts. We pray for that peace.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend William C. Skurla, D.D.
Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh