By Daniel Berrigan (1921-2016)
It is not true that creation and the human
family are doomed to destruction and loss—
This is true: For God so loved the world that
He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him shall not perish but have
everlasting life;
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity
and discrimination, hunger and poverty,
death and destruction—
This is true: I have come that they may have
life, and that abundantly.
It is not true that violence and hatred should
have the last word, and that war and
destruction rule forever—
This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a
Son is given, and the government shall be
upon his shoulder, his name shall be called
wonderful councilor, mighty God, the
Everlasting, the Prince of peace.
It is not true that we are simply victims of the
powers of evil who seek to rule the world—
This is true: To me is given authority in
heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you,
even until the end of the world.
It is not true that we have to wait for those
who are specially gifted, who are the prophets
of the Church before we can be peacemakers—
This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all
flesh and your sons and daughters shall
prophesy, your young men shall see visions
and your old men shall have dreams.
It is not true that our hopes for liberation of
humankind, of justice, of human dignity of
peace are not meant for this earth and for this
history—
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now,
that the true worshipers shall worship God in
spirit and in truth.
So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope
against hope. Let us see visions of love and
peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility,
with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus
Christ—the life of the world.
From Testimony: The Word Made Flesh,
by Daniel Berrigan, S.J. Orbis Books, 2004.
It is not true that creation and the human
family are doomed to destruction and loss—
This is true: For God so loved the world that
He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him shall not perish but have
everlasting life;
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity
and discrimination, hunger and poverty,
death and destruction—
This is true: I have come that they may have
life, and that abundantly.
It is not true that violence and hatred should
have the last word, and that war and
destruction rule forever—
This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a
Son is given, and the government shall be
upon his shoulder, his name shall be called
wonderful councilor, mighty God, the
Everlasting, the Prince of peace.
It is not true that we are simply victims of the
powers of evil who seek to rule the world—
This is true: To me is given authority in
heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you,
even until the end of the world.
It is not true that we have to wait for those
who are specially gifted, who are the prophets
of the Church before we can be peacemakers—
This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all
flesh and your sons and daughters shall
prophesy, your young men shall see visions
and your old men shall have dreams.
It is not true that our hopes for liberation of
humankind, of justice, of human dignity of
peace are not meant for this earth and for this
history—
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now,
that the true worshipers shall worship God in
spirit and in truth.
So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope
against hope. Let us see visions of love and
peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility,
with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus
Christ—the life of the world.
From Testimony: The Word Made Flesh,
by Daniel Berrigan, S.J. Orbis Books, 2004.
