On the Brink of War
John Michael Talbot - March 18,2003

Brothers and Sisters,

Peace and Good in Christ!

We have heard the President's ultimatum to Sadaam Hussein and his sons to leave Irag within 48 hours. At this point on the natural level war seems inevitable as soon as Wednesday night. But we continue to hope against hope that on the spiritual level war can be averted peacefully through prayer and dialogue.

The Rule of St. Benedict teaches us that when every natural means of correction is used with a wayward monk, the strongest means must be trusted: prayer. It says, "3) After he has applied compresses, the ointment of encouragement, the medicine of divine Scripture, and finally the cauterizing iron of excommunication and strokes of the rod, 4) and if he then perceives that his earnest efforts are unavailing, let him apply an even better remedy: he and all the brothers should pray for him 5) so that the Lord, who can do all things, may bring about the health of the sick brother." (RB 28)

It is the same with this situation at this time. Let us all use the strongest means for peace: prayer.

So I continue to ask all our community members and friends to earnestly pray for peace. Pray for our world leaders, especially our President, and Sadaam Hussein. If war breaks out, prayer for the safety of our men and women in uniform, and also for their military adversaries. May the loss of life and limb be kept to a minimum if it must come. Most importantly we pray for a minimization of civilian loss of life and limb, and of private homes, businesses, and non military civic institutions both in Iraq, and throughout the world in possible terrorist attacks. Lastly, we continue to pray that we can discover and amend our own policies and behavior that has angered so much of the world in which we live. This takes humility, but it is always a most profitable spiritual and moral exercise when entered into sincerely.

May God richly bless you with His faith, hope, and charity in Christ and His Church,

In Jesus,
John Michael Talbot
Founder and General Minister
Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage