Peace Reflection
Photo: Archbishop Mark Coleridge presents Pope Francis with an Australian hat!
‘Zoe’-Life. A Peace Reflection after Easter, remembering Pope Francis upon Australia’s Anzac Day.
Bishop Philip Huggins reflects on his father’s narrow escape from death in Greece, whilst serving in WWІІ. Such reflection reminds us of how precious the gift of life is. He recalls Pope Francis and the exhortation the Pope gave about being in dialogue with every one of our fellow men and women. In memory of the “giant tree” Pope Francis was, he proceeds to hear the cry of the Earth and announces an Interfaith Gathering in the Spirit of Talanoa. All this flows from the Gift of Peace from the Risen Lord after the Resurrection.
‘Zoe’-Life.A Peace Reflection after Easter, remembering Pope Francis Upon Australia’s Anzac Day.
After the resurrection, Jesus gives peace to those who are anxious about their lives. [John 20.19]
This divine peace is a beautiful gift and one to be shared.
We pray and work for the peace of those far off and the peace of those who are near.
Probably, everyone has a story in their family history that reminds them that it is amazing to be here at all.
‘Lest we forget’
In our case, our father told of how, in 1940’s Greece and under attack from fighter aircraft, he jumped into the ditch on the left side of the road. Those who jumped to the right all died, as the plane flew low, shot them all and kept going.
But for that spontaneous, panicked decision the children and grandchildren of my brother and I would not be here either. Our beloved partners have similar stories in their family history of the 20th century.
Everyone I listen to has some story like that.
For me, this amplifies how precious is the gift of every moment on this planet in daily life. And therefore,how profound is our responsibility for each other’s wellbeing.
The resurrection uncomplicates all this. Within our bodily life there is the promise of abundant and eternal life.
So?
At our April 11 multifaith ‘Inner Peace and Outer Peace’ gathering in the Victorian State Parliament,as MC, it was my task to welcome people.
We had been meditating silently for about 20 minutes, each according to our spiritual practice.
After praying my mantra – ‘Jesus have mercy’ – and then standing to speak,I was surprised to hear the intensity with which I then spoke.
“It need not be like this … These terrible weapons -drones,rockets, long range missiles- with which distant leaders kill other people’s children … The unspeakable grief of those parents.”
On Anzac eve,there was a profound, poignant gathering in Melbourne’s Recital Centre- "Music and Poetry for Anzac Day." Composer and pianist Shauna Beesley organised this event.
We heard the poems and songs of young artists who died so young in World War I. We raised funds for the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project.
Afterwards Sister Brigid Arthur and I spoke. We continue our efforts together to help those seeking refuge from war’s destruction. We lamented the vivid parallels between then and now.
How can this still be happening?
As Pope Francis repeatedly encouraged, we need a renewed 'culture of dialogue.'
But instead,in the absence of an international culture of peacemaking, today’s leaders are accelerating expenditure on militarism.
Anzac Day services became a platform here,one week from a Federal Election,for such calls and calculations.
This, just days after the global family paused briefly to absorb the passing of such a beautiful soul – Pope Francis!
His Easter message and final hours of service moved an interfaith friend to convey:
“As the saying goes,‘Giant trees die standing,’ and so did he.”
We honour him by seeking to carry forward all that is so beautiful and necessary in his service.
The global community of interfaith friendships have the capacity to revitalise multilateral cooperation and insist on a better quality of political leadership.
Pope Francis’ inspiration encourages the full implementation of the Paris Agreement as soon as possible. Accordingly, we are organising as follows:
Pope Francis’ inspiration for a culture of dialogue invites the transformation,metaphorically, of ‘turning swords into ploughshares’. [Isaiah 2.4]
That ancient yearning and prophecy needs to be fulfilled in our time … ’nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more.’
May it be so. Continuing on the current trajectory will only add to the suffering and grief.
It need not be like this. The world we know can be remade. We are all artists of life. Every gesture, word and act is influential.
There is a saying: ‘Since they didn’t know it was impossible..they did it..’
That’s how we have to live now. Always remembering that it is astonishing that we are here at all … each moment of life-‘zoe’– a gift.
With the gift comes peace, freely and divinely offered … With this gift comes our profound responsibility to all be peacemakers.
‘Lest we forget.’
Bishop Philip Huggins
25 April 2025.
