~~~ Acts: 14:19-28 ~~~ Ps. 145 ~~~ John 14: 27-31a ~~~
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."
Wonderful words to read, hear and reflect upon. But in reality I must ask do we really know what it means to have this peace from Jesus?
If you listen to the news reports from around the world you would not be inclined to think of Peace. If you listen to the reports from around our own country Peace would not be in the forefront of your mind.
Jesus wants us to receive his gift of peace, but it challenges us. It challenges us because we must learn to accept this peace in spite of what we may be hearing and seeing. This is a peace coming freely...a peace that surpasses all other peace.
A few weeks ago I was speaking with a young crew member from Russia. He was sharing about his life on the cruise ship. The crew has a difficult schedule they work long hours every day. He spoke about keeping a good attitude and how vital it was to his emotional well being. He had a kind positive manner about himself.
He had decided to make the best of his work environment
no matter what he was asked to do. Each time we got the opportunity to share a few words with him we tried to make him feel appreciated.
If we can just learn to find ways in our life to embrace this peace from Jesus;
we will find ourselves in a better place. It we can gradually become more in tune with this peace, we will see it in more areas of our life.
Peace is not something that we can experience by reading a book.
Peace must be experienced within your soul.
During the Mass when the part comes to extend peace to those around you, make the intention to really let it come from your heart to their heart.
Peace around the world must ultimately be up to each one of us. We must decide to make peace within ourselves a priority before we can extend this peace out to others.
If we cannot have peace without hatred in this world let us remember to always nurture peace within ourselves. I pray that I can always be the one to tip the scale in favor of peace. Not my peace, but peace coming from Jesus.
Do not let your hearts be troubled.
As Julian of Norwich says, 'All will be well'.
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