Wednesday, July 29, was an extraordinarily hopeful and hope-filled day.
Sort of. That day, the United States carried out renewed strikes against Iran-backed militia targets in Iraq, escalating the conflict that many of us hoped was working toward a resolution — oil prices surged, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged.
Nasty and slanderous Maine Senate political ads — from both sides — ran all day on the television.
Yet, while these sad, regrettable things were happening, the seeds of hope and peace were sown by the wonderful “Concert for Peace” that took place in Rome under the sponsorship of Pope Leo XIV. Featuring Andrea Bocelli, along with song and verbal witness, 164 children from countries affected by conflict and displacement exhorted the “grown-ups” of the world to cease global conflict and reflect upon humanity’s shared longing for peace and reconciliation.
Kudos to NBC for televising the Vatican event live and my thanks to Pope Leo for giving us a glimmer of hope in a time of darkness and despair. Listen to the children: It’s time that we grown-ups grew up.
Rev. Louis Phillips
Windham
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