REFLECTIONS
Reflections PEACE ON EARTH
Teresita Bacani-Oropilla, MD
In the reign of the emperor Augustus Caesar( BC 63 to AD 14), there was peace in the known Roman world. Caesar had declared a census, so that people must register in their places of origin, when a child of humble means was born in the little town of Bethlehem in Judea. The message at His birth was,“ Peace on earth, goodwill to men.” It would influence the world’ s thoughts and morals for years to come. Twenty centuries later, this message is still carried on in various forms, especially at Christ’ s birthday, which we call Christmas.
In remote places in Asia, the Pacific Isles, Africa,‘ Down Under’ Australia, where missionaries had kept the Christian faith alive, songs of love and joy are sung at religious and secular gatherings, followed by feasts and gift giving. They vary from the very humble, as in sharing the one fatted hen( not calf!) for the occasion, to lavish town get-togethers. Many places have traditions that they keep: lantern festivals to simulate the star of the East, Santa Claus or his ilk to pass out gifts and candies, processions to commemorate the happy event, crèches with camels, sheep and the lowly cattle, and singing angels to reenact the lowly birth. Metropolitan cities of these worlds, the Americas and Eurasia, meantime, outdo each other in solemn celebrations, innovations and brilliant displays both religious and not. Many a fortune has been made or lost in the commercialization and competition engendered by these seasonal events. Some practices have even become the gist for disagreements, injecting an entirely different light of controversy for an unrelated agenda.
Fortunately, despite distractions, the spirit of love and caring remains. This is evidenced by increased drives to help the less fortunate. At this time, many persons are prepared to give food, clothing, necessities( diapers?), donate scholarships, and volunteer their time and efforts towards charitable causes. Underneath the pomp and circumstance, the basic core of love still remains. Families gather, slights are forgiven, reconciliations take place. Most find joy in giving to make the recipients of their gifts happy, even at a cost and sacrifice, because of love.
As to the“ Peace on Earth” part of the message however, humanity seems to have had an erratic grade throughout the centuries. From the time of hand to hand combat to the present space age, we seem to have the urge to outdo, and do in, each other. Now that we have instant global communications, we can escalate our quarrels and posturing through television, Facebook, Twitter, telephones, instant messaging. We can bully through Facetime. We can destroy careers, expose skeletons long hidden in closets, harass and delay the workings of government, and even incite global wars.
On the other hand, just as the wave of catastrophes has washed over the USA and the world, ie: the hurricanes devastating cities in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean; the loss of human lives by shootings and truck murders in Las Vegas and too many cities; and wildfires that whoosh through and wipe out entire neighborhoods in California. The more fortunate have been quick to respond with sympathy and material help- and they have not tired yet.
What grade do we give ourselves then? Do we deserve a passing grade?
On“ Goodwill to men?”( Sometimes.) On“ Peace on earth?”( Not often enough.)
Maybe, we can take a quiet break in our hearts and as in the days of Pax Romana, return to where we originated, and allow peace to settle in.
May the Spirit of Christmas be with all of us now and throughout the coming year.
Dr. Bacani-Oropilla is a retired psychiatrist.
24 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE