Following the tradition of Silsilah, we send our Advent message in preparation to the celebration of Christmas. Meanwhile, during the month of Ramadan, our message is addressed to the Muslim Ummah. Each of these messages brings peace and reconciliation in the spirit of the celebration that we are focusing.
Today the world is suffering from the many calamities and conflicts in the Philippines and other parts of the world.
Advent means "preparation" for the coming of Jesus that we celebrate during Christmas on December 25. It is a celebration of PEACE for all people of good will. Unfortunately, wars and conflicts are still visible in many parts of the world because of the plans of some world leaders and local leaders that seeks war and conflict in the interest of good business and to occasion visibility without listening to the cries of those who suffer.
In the Harmony Prayer that Silsilah is promoting and spreading in the different parts of the world, we started to pay attention, saying :
"O LORD I CRY FOR PEACE!
Every year, Advent and Christmas remind us of the message of peace and reconciliation. But we cannot share peace properly if we do not have peace inside us. This reality invites the Christians to reflect: "how will the coming of Christmas this year touch our hearts and help us to move with harmony, solidarity and peace?"
Indeed, this is a good time to listen more with the heart. We cannot listen to the problems of the world, and move without a sign of solidarity. Unfortunately the Covid time has created a lot of fears that still remain in many of us. It is now time to move with courage together.
Advent is also a time of penance and preparation for the Christians to welcome Jesus, the Emmanuel (God among us). Are the Christians ready to give a message of peace in all aspects of the society without waiting for others to move?
In Zamboanga where Silsilah started, we remember the suffering of the siege in the city ten years ago. In Marawi, people remember the terrible siege some years ago. Many people in the Philippines and in other parts of the world remember conflicts and wars.There are those who get discouraged and turn to believe that violence will overcome other forms of violence. Jesus' coming into the world reminds us that the way of peace is love. His coming is for the Christians - a great sign of love, as it is described in the Gospel.
We hope and pray that any signs of peace from any place will come more and will be welcomed by all. With this spirit, we invite the Christians to live this special time and for people of other religions to be in solidarity with any signs of peace from anyone or group that comes, moving together as part of the same "Human Fraternity".
Silsilah Dialogue Movement
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