The Gift of Peace

December 31st. It doesn't seem possible, the end of another year. This slice of Daily Bread is the first of our second year, and comes on the threshold of the New Year. What are we looking for the most? Peace? Perhaps. It is truly a gift, for no matter how much shopping, or bargain hunting for it we do, we cannot buy it, we cannot even find it. It is a gift from God, "the peace that the world cannot give". It comes from a surrender of hear and soul to God, a love which encompasses our entire being. "Love God with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength, and your neighbor as yourself" (cf. Matt 22: 37-39) , the two Great Commandments. Then peace comes, for order and balance come into our lives, energy is focused on what really matters, and a sense of joy and security bring to reality St. Augustine's terse but powerful definition of peace as "the order of tranquility." As we refect today on the year past, and look ahead to next year, we might also look around our homes and families, and give THANKS for all these simple blessings, so often taken for granted. We might also look at what we might give away (or in some cases, throw away), to lighten our burden and the clutter that often detracts from the order which brings peace. "Stuff" can accumulate so fast and so easy, that we don't even realize it until we're tripping over it. Is there such "stuff" cluttering our spiritual lives as well? It's worth the time to look seriously at our souls and make the moves that will allow God to give us the gift of peace.
Bro. Rene