saint of the week

Saint of the Week Sept. 21

 

Yesterday was my son's 11^th birthday.  He wanted ice cream cake.  Naturally we obliged.

Of course, he wanted the biggest piece.  Of course, so did I, but I gave it to him.  I was happy just to have a piece.

 

September 21 is the International Day of Peace.  I wonder how many people know that.

I wonder how many people are waiting for their lives to settle down so that they can have some peace.  How many times have I said, "Just give me a moment's peace!"

 

Yes, we all need peace.  Those living in the Middle East,  Dan fur, and Ireland know this all too well.  Maybe the idea of peace is so illusive that we give up on trying.  Peace really is not so elusive.  Before we can have any chance at obtaining world peace, we must be able to conjure and maintain peace in our homes.  Sometimes, I get glimpses of peace.  When my children are asleep and I gently kiss them goodnight, hiking in the woods, early morning prayer time, watchin g fireworks, playing in the snow, walking on the beach, and being alone in church.  Christ calls us to be peacemakers.  I would like to think that means that Jesus would like me to spend my life walking on the beach or hiking in the woods since that is where I find the biggest peace.  No, Jesus calls us to be peacemakers in the world.  We are to live in the world, but not be of the world.  We rely totally on God.  I saw a sign in front of a church that said, "Sorrowful people look back, worried people look around, faith filled people look up".  That is peace.

When everything around you is caught in the current, you have the presence of mind to say, "God, I place my trust in you." 

That is the biggest peace.