We live in conflicted times. As war and bloodshed continue to escalate in many places throughout the world — including Ukraine, Sudan and the Middle East — the Holy Father has called the world to embrace peace. We Catholics pray for peace every day in our parishes and homes. And yet, here in Minnesota, many of us (though certainly not all) have spent our lives sheltered from the realities of violent conflict. It can be tempting to see “peace” as a given, instead of something precious and in need of preserving, something with real value.
