We, the human race, will never come to end violent behaviours unless we cultivate a culture of peace in our midst. In order to cultivate a culture of peace, we have to admit that peace is a divine gift for all human races. Peace is a gift from God and which Jesus Christ gives to his followers. But it comes not in a ready state but as a process that carries a great price. The price is metanoia , or repentance and conversion.
Peace is a condition of security, belonging, contentment and fulfillment.
It includes pleasant and sustaining relationships with all, constructive and purposeful activities, and mutual service and encouragement free from undue stress and anxiety. Love or compassion is also at the heart of his teaching. Here then is the clue for our task of cultivating a culture of peace in order to overcome violence in Asia today. I hope that our celebration of Asia Sunday would be a unique occasion for thinking and working out the ways of cultivating a culture of peace in Asia as a whole and in our respective countries and communities.