Peace be with you

Fr.'s homily on Thursday was about the words Jesus spoke to his beloved ones, "Peace be with you".  As Catholics we say it in Mass.  When the Priest says it, we respond "And with your spirit".  But do we really ever stop to think about what it means?

Fr.'s question to us was, "Do you really know what peace is?".  Have you ever truly experienced peace?  Most of us have had a peaceful moment or two, but it unfortunately seems to be short lived.  With all the stresses of family, work, finances, and relationships, it is often hard to find even a moment of true peace.

Countries don't seem to know peace either.  Between countries there is war, tension, fear and threats, and many countries never experience peace.  Even within the country itself there can be civil unrest and corrupt politics.  Look at our own parties within our own country.  No one is truly trying to promote peace.  It is all greed and who can win the most toys.  My husband says there is no money in peace.  I think he's right.  If there was, can you imagine our world? 

Back to families.  With divorce rates up, single parents, unemployment, underemployment, murders, hunger, and homelessness, it's no wonder families can't catch a break.  But there is one place to find true peace.  One Person can offer true peace and that is Jesus.  His peace is the true peace, not the one that is temporary and fleeting.  Families who know Jesus and ask for His peace find this world more tolerable.  He helps us cope with our daily struggles and offers refuge.   

I love this verse. 
"Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:31

Wow, where else in this world can you find such a hopeful promise of peace and strength?  And can anyone in this world deliver on that promise.  I think not.  Only our Lord can deliver something that amazing.  We have to continue to pray; asking the Lord for peace for ourselves, our Church, and our world.  

 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

 

Amen.