Archbishop Calinic of Suceava and Rădăuți called for reconciliation with others on the International Day of Peace, saying: “Peace cannot bear fruit in a soul that cultivates its own righteousness, because a person who is at peace is not one who considers themselves faultless, but one who knows how to recognise their own share of responsibility.”
His Eminence explained that participation in the Divine Liturgy offers a model of coexistence in which different people gather before the same God and are called to transform faith into love for their neighbour.
“Imprint upon your heart the petition, ‘In peace let us pray to the Lord’, because the Church places peace at the beginning of common prayer, showing that drawing closer to God also requires a certain disposition towards ourselves and towards others,” the Archbishop said.
“Receive the words ‘Peace be unto all’ as a blessing that goes beyond harmony between people, because the peace of Christ does not exclude trials, but gives us the strength not to allow disagreements to take possession of our hearts.”
Archbishop Calinic also emphasised that the desire for unity must be accompanied by gentleness, patience, mercy and openness.
“Extend your prayer to those whom you do not know and perhaps will never meet, because the Church prays for the world.”
Peace as a bond between earth and heaven
The Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuți explained the importance of discernment when communicating with others, noting that peace can sometimes be preserved by refraining from impulsive responses and conflicts that serve no useful purpose.
“Learn the silence that is not a sign of indifference, but of discernment.”
“Not every hasty response brings healing, and not every word spoken at the right moment is truly beneficial,” His Eminence said.
Archbishop Calinic also highlighted respect for others’ freedom and recognition of one’s own limitations in reconciliation, urging the faithful to seek God’s help when they cannot heal certain divisions on their own.
“Sincere prayer begins when a person recognises that they cannot heal every rupture alone and asks for grace when confronted with their own weakness.”
His Eminence concluded by pointing to a reality that transcends simple social coexistence: “Live peace as a foretaste of the Kingdom of God.”
Photo: Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți
