Today is the International Day of Peace.

Here are a few quotations to inspire us to continue to walk the path of peace through how we choose to live. Especially in these tumultuous times of global unrest the world needs more people who will risk being peacemakers.

“The earth is too small a star and we too brief a visitor upon it for anything to matter more than the struggle for peace.” ~ Colman McCarthy

“Returning violence for violence only multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

“If we want to reap the harvest of peace and justice in the future, we will have to sow the seeds of nonviolence, here and now, in the present.” ~ Mairead Corrigan Maguire

“We know that peace is only possible when it is the fruit of justice. True peace is the result of the profound transformation affected by nonviolence which is, indeed, the power of love.” ~ Perez Esquivel

“Anyone can love peace, but Jesus doesn’t say, ‘Blessed are the peace-lovers.’ He says ‘peacemakers.’ He is referring to a life vocation, not a hobby on the sidelines of life.” ~ Jim Wallis

“While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.” ~ St. Francis of Assisi

“Be peace, don’t just talk about it.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

A PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ Mark Lloyd Richardson
We struggle for peace, God, beginning with our own hearts.
We do not always see the light within ourselves or others.
We do not always speak with words of understanding.
We do not always sow the seeds of nonviolence in the present.
Make us into light-bearers, justice-seekers, peace-makers!
Help us to believe again in our vocation as pilgrims of peace!
Transform the world through the tenacious power of love!