Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, has issued a message to the Catholic community reflecting on the nature of peace as both a gift from God and a task for believers. Drawing on teachings from several popes and Church tradition, Cardinal Tobin emphasized that while peace is given by God, it also requires active human participation to maintain and nurture.

Referencing Pope Leo XIV’s reminder of Christ’s greeting to his disciples after the Resurrection—“Peace be with you”—Cardinal Tobin explained that this peace was given as a gift but left as an ongoing responsibility for the Apostles. “Therefore, authentic peace is both a gift from God and a task that we who are His witnesses must carry out,” he stated.

To illustrate his point, Cardinal Tobin used an analogy: “Our teeth were given to us without our consent. They are a gift... But those same teeth... cannot be maintained in good health without our cooperation.” He compared this maintenance to the ongoing work required to preserve peace.

The cardinal cited Pope Benedict XVI’s 2007 Message for the World Day of Peace: “God created us without our aid; but he did not choose to save us without our aid. Consequently, all human beings have the duty to cultivate an awareness of this twofold aspect of gift and task.” Cardinal Tobin described this as “the creative tension that exists between God’s freely given gifts to us and the tasks we must perform in order to maintain, nurture, and develop all God’s gifts.”

Pope Leo XIV was also quoted during his Angelus message on August 10, 2025: “If you gave a pound of coppers and received a pound of silver, or a pound of silver and received one of gold, you would be delighted at your luck. What you give will certainly be transformed; it isn’t gold, it isn’t silver, but eternal life that will come your way... It will be transformed, because you yourself will be transformed (ibid).”

According to Cardinal Tobin, stewardship means cooperating with grace in transforming God's gifts: “Without help, it would be impossible for us weak and fearful sinners to assume the role of peacemakers and unifiers in a warring and divided world.” He encouraged believers with words from Pope Leo XIV: “Wherever we are, in the family, parish, school or workplace, we should try not to miss any opportunity to act with love.”

Cardinal Tobin further noted that prayer is essential for achieving peace. Quoting Pope Saint John Paul II: “To pray is to enter into the action of God upon history: He, the sovereign actor of history, has wished to make people His col­laborators.” The cardinal urged Catholics to begin and end each day praying for peace and working toward unity at every level—from personal relationships up through national communities.

He continued by stating that although peace is ultimately divine in origin, it remains something humans must strive for throughout history: “God’s gift of peace is therefore also at all times a human conquest and achievement... offered so that we may accept it freely and put it progressively into operation by our creative will.”

Quoting Pope Francis on the subject: “[I]t is our privilege and our sacred duty to work for peace ‘in our homes, our families, our schools and communities. Peace in all those places where war never seems to end. Peace for those faces which have known nothing but pain.’”

Cardinal Tobin invited members of his archdiocese especially during this Jubilee year “to become peacemakers and witnesses to our unity in Christ…not only in great…acts…but [also]…small…acts that make up…the fabric of daily living.” He concluded by recalling Jesus’ words from Matthew 5:9—“Blessed are the peacemakers…”

The message included passages from the Catechism outlining Church teaching on safeguarding peace. The Catechism describes anger leading toward violence as contrary to charity (#2302-2303), defines true peace as more than absence of war (#2304), links earthly peace with Christ’s mission (#2305), and commends nonviolent defense of rights when done within moral bounds (#2306).

A separate message from Pope Leo XIV called on Christians not only to share material goods but also time and compassion for others. The pope highlighted works of mercy as central investments in Christian life: "The works of mercy are the most secure and profitable bank where we can entrust the treasure of our existence..."

Both leaders referenced Saint Augustine's teaching about transformation through giving—what is given away returns transformed into eternal life.

Pope Leo XIV encouraged vigilance expressed through loving action wherever one finds oneself—in families or workplaces—and asked Mary’s intercession so Christians might serve as watchmen "of mercy and peace."

Finally, Cardinal Tobin invited prayer using words spoken by Saint John Paul II at World Youth Day 2000.