Peace | Fr. Chad E. JarnaginPeace"Shalom" is the Hebrew word for "peace." It means something like everything in its place, flourishing as God intends. We find God in all things and all things in God. Blessed are the peacemakers. - Jesus. To be peacemakers, we need to be people of peace, both inwardly and outwardly. Our living The Way is the shalom that is proper for God's future world to be revealed here and now.If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. -Mother TeresaThere is an intentional pace to what we do. Our hope is that anyone who walks through the doors of Luminous Parish will find rest and peace in presence of the Almighty. There is no unsustainable thrill seeking here... however, we are quite often surprised by the Spirit.If we extracted and evaluated everything we know of Jesus, his life, teachings, and instruction, we could arguably draw the conclusion that Christ’s entire objective was to give, live, and embody peace. Maybe that is the meaning behind Christ-likeness... and why we find it so difficult or even off-putting. Our distractions and near sightedness hinderour ability to abide in peace. We don’t know what to do with it when we find it... unfortunately, we may feel more accomplished when we resist or combat peace.Resurrection gives hope for peace:1 Cor. 15:17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope[a] in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.There is no peace without reconciliation... which comes from confession. The idea of repentance was and is to make way for peace. Our resistance is the enemy of peace.“Did I offer peace today? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.” -NouwenSo much of our society wages war... may we wage peace.A parting thought: We are a small part of a very large picture. How we live today, may have lasting gravity.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
