BY RICHARD L. FRICKER
It may come as no surprise to our readership that Christmas appears to be on time, as planned right behind the solstice. With the arrival of Christmastide it is customary to slow down a bit with thoughts of goodwill toward men, forgiveness, and most of all peace.
But, alas, peace can be, as it always has been, elusive. War and carnage still prevail in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Sudan is on the verge of civil war as factions raid each other’s towns and villages for the sole purpose of killing and looting, the Central African Republic is aflame with death and suffering … the list goes on.
Amid all this, there is a procession of millions commemorating the birth of the man known as the Prince of Peace. One can’t help but wonder: if so many desperately want peace, why do we do these things to ourselves?
One need not look to foreign shores to question what happened to the message of peace and caring for our less fortunate brothers and sisters, or those of different color, faith, or other persuasion. One need only look at public statements and social media to see the message quite possibly has been lost.
Not only is there a question as to just what happened to the message said to have been given us 2,000 years ago, there is the deep suspicion it has been perverted for political gain. This perversion occurs when power and wealth are placed above the common good.
Those questing for such power and wealth do not feel obligated to care for the brothers and sisters of society. Nor do they feel obligated to adhere to the rules of truth.
Therefore it becomes incumbent on each of us to examine our motives, question the motives of those seeking our support, and examine the information placed before us.
Most of all, this is the season of commemoration of the beginning of the message: to love one another, bring comfort to those in need, care for the poor and ensure justice for all.
We are the family of man. Racism, intolerance, social or economic bias violates the family. As long as we allow these violations we cannot truly love each other.
And until we find that love, none of us will ever truly have peace.
– Richard L. Fricker lives in Tulsa, OK and is a regular contributor to The Oklahoma Observer. His latest book, The Last Day of the War, is available at https://www.createspace.com/3804081 or at www.richardfricker.com.
