The true mystery of our existence is not death, hatred, enmity, greed, or the seizing of resources. We remain truly alive only through peace, joy, diligence, and love among people.
“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These are but the beginning of the birth pains; the end is not yet.” (Matthew 24:6-8)
We know that the greatest war ever waged for humanity was the war God fought against the powers of darkness. Christ defeated the forces of hell, destroying death, sin, darkness, and eternal disobedience. Through His victory, He granted us eternal life and eternal light, so that we might live in peace and love.
After His Resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ greeted the restored world with these words:
“Peace be with you! Rejoice! Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.” (John 20:19, 21; John 14:27)
In our modern world, driven by scientific rationalism, we often worry needlessly about the planet Earth: What shall we eat? What shall we do? How shall we live? What will we leave for future generations? With billions of people on the planet, how can we manage the resources of the future?
The simple answer is this: through wisdom, moderation, diligence, responsibility, and a careful ecology - a respectful stewardship of the planet as a sign of reverence toward both Creation and its Creator.
Holy Scripture tells us that God placed man in the midst of creation as king and steward of all living things:
“Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28)
The true mystery of our existence is not death, hatred, enmity, greed, or the seizing of resources. We remain truly alive only through peace, joy, diligence, and love among people.
The Lord commands us:
“Love one another as I have loved you. By this all will know that you are My disciples.” (John 13:34-35)
To the billions of people on earth, God’s message is simple and pure:
“Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you.” (Psalm 55:22)
“Do not worry about what you will eat or what you will drink… Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26)
Therefore, the sword and war - the conquest of the weak by the strong - are not paths to survival or true existence on this earth.
Wars follow dangerous paths that place us in direct conflict with God, with morality, and with basic human decency.
As the Romanian proverb says: “Love and brotherhood far surpass wealth.” (echoing the spirit of St. Paisie of Sihăstria)
Looking at the words of the sovereign pontiff Leo of Rome we see clearly that war brings only destruction and suffering. It senselessly takes human lives and ruins the beauty of the planet, which God created in perfect harmony:
“And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)
Why do wars distance us from God and put us in conflict with the universal message of Holy Scripture?
If we look at the Ten Commandments, we see that war flagrantly violates the eternal laws of the Creator:
• “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39)
• “You shall not kill.”
• “You shall not steal.”
• “You shall not covet.”
• “You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:1-17)
All these fundamental commands are brutally broken in wars of aggression, occupation, and conquest. Death is contrary to life, for life is a divine gift:
“Then the Lord God formed man… and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” (Genesis 2:7)
Hatred is contrary to moral, ethical, and evangelical peace:
“Peace be with you! Rejoice!” (John 20:19, 21)
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
Greed, theft, and the unjust accumulation of wealth are not human virtues. They are inhuman vices that sow pain, anxiety, suffering, hunger, and despair among the weak and helpless at the hands of the powerful and insatiable.
The Lord asks us in the Gospel:
“The things you have prepared, whose will they be? This very night your soul is required of you.” (Luke 12:20)
When we consider the loss of human lives of all ages - the disabled, orphans, helpless infants - along with the destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, factories, resources, and food, we understand that only peace, negotiation, understanding, wise counsel, diplomacy, awakened conscience, love of neighbor, and mutual respect among peoples can end this dangerous game that threatens the life of the entire planet.
Conclusion
Wars have never brought and will never bring anything good.
The Lord Jesus Christ says:
“Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with Me scatters.” (Matthew 12:30)
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
“By this all will know that you are My disciples…” (John 13:35)
The universal message of the Creator in Holy Scripture is clear:
“Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52)
“Seek peace and pursue it… and you will live forever.” (Psalm 34:14)
Peace be with you! Rejoice!
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