Unity - a sign of the times

Dear Readers,

As I was reading a newsletter I received via email from the Interfaith Youth Core, I was struck by their New Year wish. It recalled what Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote in 1963: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

It resonates deeply, as the media reports daily about new conflicts, tension, war, humanitarian tragedies. Yet at the same time many voices of peace, dialogue and unity echo the strong conviction that Chiara Lubich communicated to hundreds of thousands: in spite of all that is happening, “the world is moving today toward unity and consequently toward peace. It is a sign of the times.”

But how is it possible to think of peace and unity without seeing all of humanity as one family? “It is not easy to commit yourself to furthering peace,” she explained upon receiving the Unesco Prize for Peace Education in 2001. “It demands courage and much suffering. But if more people would accept suffering out of love, with the suffering that love requires, the human race would become a single people, a family.”

It’s almost a year since Chiara left this earth last March. We are deeply grateful for the rich legacy she left, which permeates these pages as well. Seminars, masses and memorial services will take place around March 14 in many parts of the world, and the March issue of Living City will be dedicated to her. You’ll find more info at the focolare.org and focolare.us websites.

By reading Living City you are supporting worldwide efforts to build peace and unity.

Thank you!