Prelate's Christmas message: Want peace? Work for it

MANILA, Philippines - Amid its repeated wishes for peace this Christmas, the government must earn it and stop defrauding the people, Manila archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales said Wednesday. Rosales made the call in his Christmas message, where he also called on the common people to earn it as well through the virtue of sharing, which he said is the key to achieving peace. "Peace is not the achievement of one struggle; it is built up by a day-by-day effort. It is not simply sung with the angels, “ he said. “Peace is built on justice among humans. It is born of a relationship where honest people are just to each other and respect one another." He said peace “is a world of kind relationships, where neighbors love and help each other, where business traders do not cheat customers, where leaders, and especially government leaders, are not proud and do not defraud their subjects…" The message was posted on the Web site of the Manila Archdiocese (www.rcam.org). In his message, Rosales said that while peace may be wished for, God saves it only for those He favors. "Humans long for peace, but they have to deserve it. Peace belongs to those who sincerely long and work for it and on whom God's favor rests," he said. The prelate said peace is known in the practice of sharing. "No one feels at ease (or sometimes safe) with an extra bowl of rice to eat, while just across their fence are brothers and sisters who are hungry," he said. In contrast, he said that if people know how to love and share what they have, there would be peace and joy, whether or not there is a crisis. "Crises may come and crises may go, but for as long as humans know how and love to share what they have, there will be both Peace and Joy in our land. This is what Christmas reminds us to do. Just remember were Filipinos who love Jesus Christ and are sincere in following Him. That makes the great difference! But do not forget to work for Peace!" he said. - GMANews.TV