War or Peace?

„The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you by his love, he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

Another Advent in our lives. We have lived to see the times of artificial intelligence, space travel, and incredible technological and scientific possibilities. Many things and circumstances around us have changed.

Yet, sadness grips us, and we lack happiness. What has happened to the human condition in the third millennium?

I recently found an inspiring audiobook entitled "You Are Not a Gorilla." Dr. Wanda Półtawska explained in it the question of man's divine origin and Christian principles of married and family life. These were lectures given to students of the Institute of Family Theology and a perfect complement to John Paul II's teachings.

Professor Półtawska argues that we have been overtaken by a civilization of death, in which a mother has the right to kill her child. She explains that within every woman there is a sanctuary in which new life is born. But every woman can choose whether she wants to be like the sinful Eve or the holy Mary.

In each of us there is a constant battle between good and evil. And it is up to us alone who will win.

This is particularly evident in the example of the geopolitical situation. On the one hand, from the East, comes an aggressor seeking to dominate the world through terror and violence. On the other hand, the free world opposes this. I hope that we, the people of the Church, by undertaking the challenge of living according to God's commandments, are part of this resistance. However, we realize how difficult this task is, because we are not yet saints. We constantly commit sins, that is, we destroy the image and likeness of God in ourselves. Although we are convinced that we do not come from the generation of gorillas, as Mrs. Wanda Półtawska said.

The prophet Zephaniah in today's first reading tries to help us find our way in this complicated situation. The inspired biblical author emphasizes that the Lord God is among us.

When we watch nature programs or programs about outer space, we see with our own eyes, as it were, His divine Providence and Wisdom, by which the universe is directed and built. God the Creator is the Mighty One who reigns over all creation and all people. But at the same time, this same God the Father gives people free will and the ability to choose between good and evil. Of course, our heavenly Father rejoices and is glad when his children on earth make good choices, and he is saddened and alarmed when they side with evil.

Today's Gaudete Sunday is characterized above all by optimism, stemming from the conviction that God's love is poured out among us, that is, in our human hearts. We are children of God, not children of the devil. Therefore, during each Eucharist, we are renewed by divine Love. From our hearts should rise a cry of joy that God is among us.

In this world of rapid change and technological innovation, it is He who must be trusted. We must stand firm by God's morality and commandments, so as not to fear terrible wars. We can always draw life from the holy sacraments of the Church. This Life is stronger than death, and let the whole earth know this, and also accept the fact that the Holy Lord and our God is great in the world.

Therefore, let us rejoice! I repeat once again: Let us rejoice! Let our inner joy and peace in the Holy Spirit be known to all. May God's peace overcome our fear and anxiety. May the Lord guard our hearts and minds, just as it was in the lives of the Lord's saints, whose examples we have cited today. Amen.