peace

A calm state of mind, free of worry and disturbance. A complete state of harmony, wholeness, and well-being. Peace is not the absence of struggle or hardship, but more like an anchor that holds you steady. True peace is within.

Peace is a divine gift, a gift of love. Peace is cultivated in your heart throughout life’s ups and downs. It is cultivated in silence, in prayer, in struggle and in triumph. When we are at peace, we remain in a state of calm, unshaken by the storms of life, and are moved to become an instrument of God’s peace. As St. Francis of Assisi said best: 

“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.”

Cultivating peace within ourselves requires faith in God’s goodness. We move forward with hope and trust in our hearts. With the peace of God’s love, anything is possible.

Dear God, 

Our world needs Your peace. It is easy to lose focus on the things that matter most. We try to fix problems with weapons and sharp words and actions. Help me to remember that You are the only one who can ease our battles. Give us Your peace, which is all we need. Amen.

How can you be an instrument of peace in your home and your communities?