Interesting Opinion in the San Jose Mercury News

I found the opinion, titled “A season for all to work for peace” in the San Jose Mercury News (12/11/07) interesting because it is qualifying Amy Writing Awards piece written by Santa Clara University President Paul Locatelli.

It is not every day you see a president of a prominent University speaking on a topic of faith, let alone citing scripture as a reference, although Santa Clara is a Jesuit institution. It makes sense and so does Locatelli

Locatelli writes:

During this holiday season, millions of us will be celebrating, in our own ways, God coming into our world.

Our Jewish sisters and brothers are in the midst of their celebration of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, as they recall the victory of the Maccabees, the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple, and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.

Our Muslim brothers and sisters will, at the end of December, celebrate Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, which lasts for three days and commemorates Ibrahim's
(Abraham's) willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son. But when Ibrahim heard a voice from heaven, he stopped and instead was allowed to sacrifice a ram.

Our African-American sisters and brothers will celebrate Kwanzaa, which recalls seven principles to live by: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

This time is one of particular reflection for me. I find lessons from the past apply to our world today. Advent, which began Dec. 2, is the time when Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
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Locatelli draws in a wider audience by citing other religious observations and then builds his argument for peace on a passage from Isaiah 2, which promises that “one day one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war …” His ecumenical plea may draw readers in, but clearly the truth he shares is a Christian message and call for peace.

And the world could always use more peace.