A Season of Peace
[Read Colossians 3:12-13]
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
The focus for the fourth week of Advent is peace. And as you make your final preparations for Christmas, your level of peace might be low and your stress levels high. Last minute gift shopping, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, and the like become the tasks we need to complete. And if you’re attending a family gathering, you might be anxious about family tensions.
In these final days of Advent, St. Paul in his letter to the Colossians tells us how we should live our lives. He says, “Put on…compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience.” How have you done that during these weeks leading up to Christmas? You might have been compassionate when you gave a gift to someone in need. You were kind when you answered a stranger’s question at the store. Waiting in line at the check-out line without grumbling was an act of patience. What else does St. Paul say? He tells us to forgive each other as Christ has forgiven us and to be thankful. If you are worried about Christmas dinner with relatives because of hurts and grudges, ask God to help you forgive. Making the movement toward forgiveness will give you peace.
Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem to forgive us and bring us peace. Let us try to bring peace into the world by living as St. Paul encourages us. Put on those virtues and experience that peace which is beyond all understanding.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
The focus for the fourth week of Advent is peace. And as you make your final preparations for Christmas, your level of peace might be low and your stress levels high. Last minute gift shopping, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, and the like become the tasks we need to complete. And if you’re attending a family gathering, you might be anxious about family tensions.
In these final days of Advent, St. Paul in his letter to the Colossians tells us how we should live our lives. He says, “Put on…compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience.” How have you done that during these weeks leading up to Christmas? You might have been compassionate when you gave a gift to someone in need. You were kind when you answered a stranger’s question at the store. Waiting in line at the check-out line without grumbling was an act of patience. What else does St. Paul say? He tells us to forgive each other as Christ has forgiven us and to be thankful. If you are worried about Christmas dinner with relatives because of hurts and grudges, ask God to help you forgive. Making the movement toward forgiveness will give you peace.
Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem to forgive us and bring us peace. Let us try to bring peace into the world by living as St. Paul encourages us. Put on those virtues and experience that peace which is beyond all understanding.
Father Edward Looney
St. Francis & St. Mary – Brussels
St. Francis & St. Mary – Brussels
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