The theme for the month is “Peace, Justice and Strong Nation.” It is the Goal No.

16 of the Sustainable Development Goals. It is

dedicated to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies, the provision of access to justice for all, and building effective,
accountable institutions at all levels. The objective is to significantly reduce all forms of violence, and work with governments and
communities to find lasting solutions to conflict and insecurity. It also involves strengthening the rule of law and promoting
human rights which are crucial to this process.

Peace, Justice and Strong Nation.

The attainment of peace is a universal concern. The number of state-based and non-state based armed conflicts in the world is
increasing especially in the countries which landed on the top five of the 2017 Global Terrorism Index and these are Iraq,
Afghanistan, Nigeria, Syria and Pakistan Conflicts around the globe have significantly affect the global economy. Analyzing data
from research institutes, governments and universities, the IEP (Institute for Economics and Peace) calculated that violence cost
the global economy $14.8 trillion in 2017.

A peaceful environment is essential not just to economic growth but also to personal growth. Violence affects humanity
especially the children. It affects our health, development and well-being. It causes trauma and weakens social inclusion. To
achieve this No. 16 SDG, the United Nation suggested that we take a genuine interest in what our government is doing. Raise
awareness in our community about the realities of violence and the importance of peaceful and just societies, and identify how
we can pursue this in our daily life.

In our daily life, we have to wage war against all forms of violence but first we have to wage war against our own self, against
our pride, against our weaknesses, against our selfish motives, against our egoism, against our temper and the likes because if
not we will end up, the root or the cause of conflicts. As what an Indian President said,

“Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is
harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is
peace in the world.”

We have to be the change, we have to promote through our words, and actions equality and respect towards people of different
backgrounds, ethnic origins, religions, gender, sexual orientations or different opinions, promote a welcoming environment
where there is forgiveness, acceptance and no room for crab mentality and back-biting, starting with the people whom we deal
with in our family, place of work, in our community and etc.

Peace and Justice are very much related.

Someone said that, “If you desire peace, cultivate justice.” Justice has many definitions. It is often defined as the impartial
administration of law, to give what is due and fair enjoyment of rights. When talking about rights, one cannot disregard duties
because they go hand in hand. If a person is enjoying his/her rights, it is because other persons are effectively doing their duties.

Each one of us is instrumental in having a just society. We just need to do our respective duties. And in doing our duties, we are
encouraged not just to give what is due but to do more, not just to do good things but to do good things well and not just to fulfill
but to love. We heard USEC. Neri mentioned last month that our President advised her to be motivated by love because
otherwise you will be burn out. Diligence which means steady, earnest, and energetic effort comes from a latin word diligere
which means to love. We will be diligent in fulfilling our duties when we learn to love our work and we will learn to love our work,
when we will learn to love the persons to whom we are doing those duties. Since we are thinking persons, we need reasons or
motivations in order to work and if we are motivated by good desires especially by love we can be able to make a difference.

Lastly, a strong Nation. A strong nation is characterized by peace and justice but also by personal responsibility and unity.

A professor once said that the initiatives/programs of the government, private institutions and non-government organizations
towards development are not the solutions but they are just solution channels because the real solution lies in personal
responsibility, it starts with the I, with myself, with ourselves but it doesn’t end there because the I alone cannot succeed, it
needs WE. The unity of responsible I’s will build a strong nation. The greatest threat to democracy is not from the outside but
disunity in the inside. Our country does not need critics, spectators or judges but responsible citizens who are working as one.

May iba’t ibang kulay man sa ating kapaligiran, may kulay pula, dilaw, bughaw, luntian at iba pa pero huwag nating kalimutan
ang ating tunay na kulay ay Kayumanggi, may iba’t ibang kultura man na pinapatupad sa lipunan, laging tandaan ang kultura na
pinamana ng ating mga ninuno at yun ang kulturang Bayanihan. Tayo ay hindi Oposisyon, Administrasyon, Komunista o
Terrorista kundi Pilipino ano man ang ating relihiyon, nahaluan man ng ibang lahi o kung anumang grupo tayo miyembro, wag
kalimutang Pareho tayong Pilipino. Hindi Pagbabago ang kailangan ng ating bansa kundi sama-samang pagbabago, sama-
samang pagkilos, sama-samang paglingkod tungo sa isang adhikain- para sa Maginhawa, Matiwasay, Matatag at Masayang
Pilipinas, at umpisahan natin ito sa ating Ahensya.

With this kind of perspective, we will surely attain a peaceful, just and strong nation. As we approach the Christmas season, may
we reflect this theme and may we have a peaceful, and joyful Christmas with the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.