On January 1, 2002 St. John Paul wrote on the World Day of Peace that there can never be peace without justice and no justice can be had unless there is forgiveness. He reflected in his speech upon the violence of the world during his pontificate and compared it with his growing up during the communist regime in Poland that he witnessed senseless death upon death for no other reason that hate and disagreement. He wrote: “The enormous suffering of peoples and individuals, even among my own friends and acquaintances, caused by Nazi and Communist totalitarianism, has never been far from my thoughts and prayers. I have often paused to reflect on the persistent question: how do we restore the moral and social order subjected to such horrific violence? My reasoned conviction, confirmed in turn by biblical revelation, is that the shattered order cannot be fully restored except by a response that combines justice with forgiveness. The pillars of true peace are justice and that form of love which is forgiveness.” Two weeks ago I was checking out at Steelyard Commons Walmart waiting for almost 20 minutes in line due to few cashiers open. When it was finally my turn, I placed my items down and the cashier never once looked at me even after I said ‘hello.’ I told her I was a priest from a church just up the road and that I was going to pray for her. She looked me squarely in the eye and said, ‘would you do that for me pastor?’ I said, ‘absolutely.’ After she handed me my bags, she looked me in the eye and said, “thank you.” As we live our daily lives we must take extra care to love, thank, bless and forgive. Many great things start from tiny seeds. So, as we make our way to the stores, movies, restaurants, even Walmart, never forget the words of St. Mother Theresa, “In this life we cannot alway do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Fr. Roach
