Pope’s missionary prayer intention for January 2012
(January 02, 2012) Pope Benedict XVI’s missionary prayer intention for the month
of January is for peace: that the dedication of Christians to peace may bear witness
to the name of Christ before all men and women of good will. Pope Benedict has repeatedly
condemned violence in God's Name. This month he calls us to dedicate ourselves through
prayer and action to bearing witness to the world that the name of Christ means peace.
Praying and working for peace is essential to spreading the Gospel. Christians dedicated
to peace are a powerful witness to the world that the true face of God is Christ.
Jesus told the apostles at the Last Supper: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give
to you." Yet it is evident in our world, in our communities, and even in our families
that the peace of Jesus brings conflict. Jesus himself said: "I have come to bring
not peace but the sword." The two quotations may seem contradictory, but they are
not. Jesus knew that he and his teachings would divide people. His life, teaching,
works, death, and rising reconciled us to God and to one another. Jesus has given
us peace beyond anything the world could give. Yet from the beginning many have rejected
his peace, disbelieving that he was the Messiah and refusing to repent. In the midst
of a quarrelling world, we Christians dedicate ourselves to Christ’s way of peace
by doing his will - the only basis for a just order that leads to peace. In January
Christian churches of all kinds celebrate a week of prayer for Christian unity. Only
through the union of all Christians will we be able to witness to the world that the
name Christian means unity not division, peace not war.