Photo by Bryan Joseph Arcangel/ THE FLAME
TRUE PEACE cannot be measured by the end of turmoil alone but by being compassionate to those in need, the archbishop of Manila said.
Hours before the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Cardinal Jose Advincula reminded Catholics that peace is attained with the fullness of life’s blessings.
“For us Christians, peace does not only mean tranquility or absence of conflict, it refers to the totality of wellness, the fullness of life’s blessings.” Advincula said during the New Year’s Eve Mass on Wednesday, Dec. 31.
Drawing from the Gospel narrative, the Cardinal noted that the infant Jesus was nurtured when he was found by the shepherds, a sign that peace begins with simple yet concrete acts of concern for others.
According to him, modern peacemaking often focused on debates and even military strength, but warned that these approaches fall short when they fail to address human suffering.
“As long as some of us are neglected and marginalized, there will be no true peace,” he said.
The Manila archbishop emphasized that such acts of care reflect the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom he described as a model of peace through her attentiveness to the needs of others.
This can be accomplished when communities work together to assist victims of calamities, when people listen to one another’s concerns and when leaders make personal sacrifices for the common good, he added.
Advincula also pointed out that the quiet labor of workers and the mutual care within families as everyday signs of peacebuilding.
He urged Catholics to carry this spirit of care into the new year, saying that peace would only take root when compassion guides both personal and communal life.
“No matter how much effort we exert, if God is not the primary agent, our peace-building endeavors will end up in false comforts and injustice, a fleeting serenity that is only enjoyed by an elite few. We need God for true peace to happen,” the prelate added.
The New Year’s Eve mass was held at the Manila Cathedral as the Church prepared to welcome 2026. It coincided with the World Day of Peace and the conclusion of the Christmas octave. F
