Apostles for Today - June 2026

 

Apostles For Today

June 2026

Sr Monika Jagiełło SAC

Just peace – the path of truth, 
 dialogue and conversion of heart

The modern world often speaks of peace. The word appears in public debates, in politics, in the media and in many social and international initiatives.

Experience shows, however, that not every peace is true peace. Sometimes we are dealing rather with a semblance of peace – a situation in which conflict is temporarily silenced, but its causes remain unresolved.

That is why the concept of just peace is appearing more and more frequently in Christian reflection. It does not merely mean the absence of violence or tension, but a state of relations between people and communities that is based on truth, justice and mutual respect.

 Peace and apparent calm

It is essential to distinguish between calm and peace. Calm can mean the absence of conflict

achieved by sweeping problems under the carpet, imposing solutions by force, or giving up on

seeking the truth. Such a state is often fragile and short-lived, because tensions and  injustices remain hidden.

True peace requires something more. It demands recognition of the dignity of every person, a
willingness to engage in dialogue, and the courage to face difficult truths. As Scripture reminds us: “The work of justice will be peace, and the fruit of righteousness—a lasting security” (Isaiah 32:17). A just peace is therefore not merely an external state, but the fruit of orderly relations between people, communities and nations. 

Peace begins in the heart

The building of just peace has its source in the human heart. It is there that decisions, attitudes and the way we relate to others are formed. If the heart remains filled with anxiety, prejudice or anger, it is difficult to build peace around us. 

The first step, therefore, is to stand in the truth within oneself – the ability to examine one’s own

emotions, experiences and tensions that influence our reactions. It is not merely a matter of morally correcting one’s behaviour, but of gaining a deeper understanding of oneself and discovering the sources of inner anxiety.

People often develop defence mechanisms that hinder their contact with the truth about

themselves. Only by gradually becoming aware of these does the path to inner coherence, freedom and peace open up.

 For a Christian, the ultimate source of peace is God. Jesus says to his disciples: “Peace I leave with

you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you” (Jn 14:27). Discovering this gift takes time and a journey, often marked by struggle. Yet it is precisely this relationship with God that enables a person to find peace, which can then shape their relationships with others.

Peace as a path of relationship and dialogue Peace born in the human heart demands expression in relationships. That is why just peace always has a communal dimension. Building it requires the ability to listen, patience and a readiness for dialogue – including with those who think differently and view reality from a different perspective.

In a world marked by divisions, this is a demanding but necessary task. Jesus reminds us: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Mt 5:9). 

To be a person of peace therefore means actively striving for reconciliation and building unity. A community responsible for peace Building peace is not the task of the individual alone. In the tradition of the Church, it has always had a communal dimension. Saint Vincent Pallotti emphasised that every person is responsible for the good of others and their salvation. He wrote: ‘To rekindle Love in every part of the world, (Catholic Apostolate) invites people of every class and condition to join in, so that everyone may have the means to contribute readily to the promotion of God’s glory, and also to ensure their own sanctification and that of their neighbours through all those spiritual and temporal means which are appropriate and possible” OOCCV, 58.

A particular manifestation of this sense of responsibility for peace was the attitude adopted by many Poles towards the war raging beyond our eastern border, in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the face of these dramatic events, thousands of people opened their homes to refugees, welcoming them not as strangers but as neighbours in need of help.

This gesture was not merely a response to an urgent need for shelter. It was an expression of a deeper concern for human beings – for their safety, dignity and future. Particular care was given to mothers with children, the elderly and people with disabilities, who are among the most vulnerable in wartime conditions. This experience reveals the essence of just peace: it is not limited to the end of the conflict, but is expressed in concrete acts of love, solidarity and responsibility. Welcoming refugees thus becomes not only humanitarian aid, but also a contribution to building a future – one in which return, the rebuilding of lives and the renewal of destroyed communities will be possible. 

This kind of attitude shows that peace begins with a decision of the heart, but matures through the action of the community. Peace as a process of discernment. Just peace is not a one-off event, but a process. It requires time, patience and a willingness to learn from one another. It is the fruit of a journey on which people learn dialogue, discernment and responsibility for their own decisions. 

In this process, openness to God, who guides us and provides the light needed to make the right choices, is of particular importance. That is why prayer and communal discernment play an important role. 

There is increasing talk of the need for conversation in the Spirit – a dialogue in which people not only express their views, but also learn to listen and remain open to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 

The Source of Peace

Ultimately, true peace is not merely the result of human actions. Its deepest source is God Himself. Saint Paul reminds us: “For He is our peace” (Eph 2:14). 

The Christian path to building just peace thus leads to Christ – He who has reconciled people with God and with one another, and who constantly invites us to live in truth, reconciliation and unity.

Questions for reflection:

1. What in my heart makes it most difficult for me to live in peace – what experiences, emotions or tensions affect my relationships with others?

2. Are there situations in my life where I choose ‘apparent peace’ over truth and dialogue? What is stopping me from doing so?

3. When have I experienced that a community – my own or a wider one (e.g. in crisis situations) – is genuinely building peace? What was most important to me in that experience?

4. What specific step am I invited to take today in building just peace – within my community, in my relationships, or in my daily life?

Sr Monika Jagiełło SAC