Today's Thoughts...

Today’s Thoughts: Peace is one of the most elusive gifts whether we are searching for it personally or as a family or a culture and society. There are so many things that can get in the way of peace in life. It can be the minor irritations of life like traffic, construction, a person on a cell phone sitting next to us or spring allergies. It can also be the major realities of life, civil war, civil unrest, injustice, warring nations, terrorism and natural disasters. There are many things that can get in the way of a peaceful moment and a peaceful life.
 
Jesus in the Gospel today offers us peace. Yet he reminds us that the peace he offers is not of this world. In fact, the peace that Jesus offers cannot be found in this world. His peace lies beyond this life and flows from his relationship with the Father, the Creator of peace.
 
Jesus reminds us that we need not be troubled or afraid that even though we cannot encounter his peace in this world, he will not forget us. In other words, to encounter the peace that Jesus offers we need to somehow let go and let God!
 
Peace is what we all want in our personal lives and in our world. We encounter it occasionally, for a moment, however it doesn’t last. Something always comes along to disturb the peace. Thus, we need to be people of faith; we need to be people of hope.
 
Amid life’s struggles the early Church continued to move forward. They did not get down they did not give up. It was through God’s grace that the Good News was preached. It was because the early Church had faith and hope in God that their hearts were not afraid or troubled. They were on the journey towards the peace that Jesus offers. Let us be people of faith and hope today. May we not be troubled or afraid because we are willing to let go and let God!
 
To end my own reflection today I offer you a reflection I read this morning during mass from Sr. Bridget Haase, OSU found in Living With Christ – “We may discover that PEACE is a collection of special graces permeating our lives:
Practicing non-violence through encouraging words and compassionate actions.
Evoking calm while others around us are agitated and irritable.
Accepting difficult situations with grace and serenity as we work toward conflict solutions.
Challenging ourselves and others to seek local and global justice and
Entrusting our lives to God in faith-filled surrender and exuberant hope.
 
Have a wonderful Tuesday everyone!