PRESIDENT Barack Obama’s snub of the Dalai Lama to appease communist China is a yet a further indication of his desire to elevate the state above religion and replace democracy with socialism.

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, one of the most remarkable Americans of the 20th century once remarked in contrast: “Unless souls are saved, nothing is saved; there can be no world peace unless there is soul peace.”

The vast majority of people today think of peace as something that comes inherently with the accumulation of wealth, fame and power. They think that the more material things they have and the more they are liked by others the happier they will be. But sooner or later most realize that material gain and empty friendships become boring and even disgusting.

Peace, however, is not something found “here” or “there” but rather it is something already in our midst.

Three things are necessary for peace: the subjection of the passions to the intellect, the subjection of the body to the soul and the subjection of the whole person to God. Once these are achieved we become cleansed of past sins and safeguarded from committing future sins.

Man has nothing to lose but the chains of sin, which darkens his intellect and weakens his will. Instead of proclaiming the praises of wealth and power, let us acknowledge to ourselves and others that there are other sources of happiness and success. Let us convince ourselves and others that virtue carries with it rewards even in this world and that the peace of a good conscience is worth infinitely more than false pleasures.
PAUL KOKOSKI.