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| | From: Nellie01_ (Original Message) | Sent: 5/15/2004 1:49 PM |
Paradise: True Peace
| | 05/15/04
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| | In today’s gospel Jesus tells His Apostles, "I leave you peace, my peace I give you." But the question is, what is this "peace" that Jesus is leaving His Apostles? Is it the tranquility of a quiet place to pray? Or an end to violence in the world, or peace among Christians? Or was He simply extending to them a common social greeting, "Peace"?
| | To answer this question let’s think about the one place in Scripture where there’s absolute peace: at the beginning of the world in the Garden of Eden �?paradise. Here we find man living as God intended �?sharing His life of perfect love.
That is true peace. That is the peace lost when Adam and Eve did not keep God’s word, but it is also the peace restored by Christ, the "new Adam," (cf. 1 Cor 15:45) who "make[s] all things new" (Rv 21:5), who comes to restore us to the one perfect and eternal life of love with God.
So on the night before He died, before He gave them the great sacrament of the Eucharist, Jesus told His Apostles: "Whoever loves Me will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him."
And He went on to say: "I do not give you [peace] as the world gives peace." The peace of Christ isn’t the tranquility of a quiet place, or an end to violence �?these pass away as quickly as they come. No, Christ’s peace is found in entering into the perfect life and love that exists among the Father, Son and Spirit, being one with them by being true to God’s word.
Heaven is the perfection of this peace, but we can share in it even in this life. This is the peace of Christ dwelling inside of us, by the will of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit. The peace of our all-loving and all-powerful Savior being with us to strengthen us, calm us and guide us, in the middle of every hardship, every doubt, every temptation.
This may seem impossible �?but for God nothing is impossible. And nowhere does He give us this grace, this gift of peace, more completely than in the way He gave it to the Apostles at the Last Supper: in the Eucharist. This is why at every Mass the reception of Communion is preceded by the "Rite of Peace," in which the priest quotes this gospel passage from Holy Thursday: "I leave you peace, My peace I give you." We remember that through the Eucharist we are about to enter into Holy Communion with the New Adam and, through Him, with the Trinity.
Sadly, we often trivialize this part of the Mass by misunderstanding that part of this rite known as "the sign of peace." Like so many times when we speak of peace, "the sign of peace" too often becomes an occasion for being distracted toward thoughts of the ways "the world gives peace" �?the transitory peace that passes as quickly as the next sin is committed. And we wind up closing our hearts, even if ever so slightly, to the perfect peace which Jesus longs to give us in the Eucharist.
As we meditate on these beautiful words of Jesus, "My peace I give you," let’s not be distracted by transitory or passing ideas of peace. Rather, let us open our hearts to the perfect peace we were created for and which He restores us to in the Eucharist: the peace of living and loving in communion with Jesus and His Father and Spirit. The perfect peace of paradise.
Fr. De Celles is Parochial Vicar of St. Michael Parish in Annandale.
(This article courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald . | |
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| | From: Brealf1 | Sent: 5/16/2004 7:27 PM |
Thanks Nellie. I often wonder how we can know 'true' peace! Is it the same as being 'peaceful' in our life and situations? Or is it something beyong that? Having 'peace' in our minds and hearts, and 'being at peace with God', are they one and the same thing? Points to ponder! I'm not sure I know the answer, but am working on it. Love alf x |
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These things have I spoken to you that In Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Many are searching for this illusive thing called peace. They look for it in other people, in various religions, some people believe if they just avoid other people they will find peace. Some people, never find it. Some are too busy, yet in desperate need of this peace.
And today, more than ever the world needs it. For who knows what tomorrow will bring?
I can hear the voice of Jesus as we struggle through each day.
He says My child, receive My peace.
And we say, Oh God, I am busy working right now. I will find your peace when I get home.
When we get home, God says, My child, receive my peace.
Oh God, I am too busy now, I have dinner to fix, the laundry to do, I cannot take time for peace now.
Some say, God, I have lots of activities to do, I will get around to you on Sunday when I come to church.
Then when bedtime comes, we are weary and unable to pray. God is still waiting to give us peace, but we have let another day pass by, without communing with our God, and receiving all He has for us.
Then when the times of crisis come, we wonder, where is our peace? God where are you? Some folks even like to blame God when hard times hit, yet they have ignored Him all year, It is not God who is to blame, when we do not allow Him place in our lives.
But indeed, it is not God who walked away, but us. WE have neglected our spiritual life, And we have become weary, and drained. We have not taken the time to find peace, nor spend time in the presence of God, is it any wonder that when hard times hit, they are immediately a crisis?
I am reminded of the story of the ants and the grasshopper. The ants spent all summer building up their stock of food to last the winter. Day after day, they worked hard and gathered food, and did not take much time to rest. They had goals. And they pursued them. And when the winter came, they were prepared, and it was not a crisis. Their bellies full, they could then rest.
The grasshopper however, jumped from here to there, playing a violin, so I am told, and did not prepare for the winter. Preferring to wander about the country, visit with his friends and party. When the snow started to fall, he was cold, homeless, and had no food. He had not prepared for hard times, and He was in a crisis.
Are you preparing my friend? Are you filling up with the presence of God daily? Do you allow the word of God to penetrate your spirit and infuse it with joy and peace. And let it build up in you, and make you victorious and wise, and when the storms of life come, you are prepared. It is not a crisis, it is a time of growth, a time to draw closer to God confidently knowing we are not only prepared, but God is in charge. We have worked hard, our souls are full of the word of God, and of the Holy Spirit and we can rest in his peace.
Are you in search of peace tonight my friend? I know where you can find it.
It starts on your knees, before the throne room of God. It starts by pouring your heart out to God, and telling Him all, and getting things right with Him.
Then we can leave our burdens at the throne, and receive that peace He promises to all who believe and will receive.
Then you open that Bible and allow Him to speak to your spirit, and heal you, and bring you peace. Peace that passes all understanding.
How long since you had that peace? Ever? Its available tonight. God is only a prayer away. And He said; Cast all your cares upon Me, For I care for you. 1 Peter 5:7 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit of God is life and peace. Romans 8:6
Let us seek peace, and pursue it, that when the times of testing come, we are not only prepared, but have enough to minister to others.
That is what Jesus called us to do. Those who love thy law have great peace, and Nothing causes them to stumble. Psalm 119:165
You will keep Him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because He trusts in thee. Isaiah 26:3
My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives, give I unto you, Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
Receive that peace tonight my friend. No excuses.
Be prepared.
remember Only one life will soon be past Only what is done For Christ will last
Love Frannie ( hart2hart777 ) |
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There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God. That line from a old song is true for our lives if we can maintain our spirit man being in control over all that concerns our lives. As I write this according to the word given for today, my own soul is cast down heavy burdened with care. We can know in our minds, our hearts that no matter what is happening around us, God's word to us is true and everlasting.
What word has he given you to hold onto. He told me He will perfect that which concerns me. He asked me yesterday, why do you weep so? I guess God asked me why because He expects me to trust in Him more than I am at the time of my tears. This peace, this place of rest, does not look to sensationalizing some revelation knowledge of the days to come. This restful safe place of God's provision is not to be glorified by the knowledge of man. God wants us to rest and trust and rely on and committ all things to Him and to always have joy flowing in us as our strength in hard times.
Beware of those who come in sheeps clothing and misuse the word of God for their own purposes because we are in the last days when Jesus said some will say I am over here but dont listen... here me call you as your loving shepherd, for I go out ahead of you and call you all by name. Rest in His peace for your life each day, and watch yes, for His coming, but be anxcious for nothing and do not seek a new word when He has given us His precious word and it is peace which governs your soul.
The Spirit is moving. The Father is calling. And Jesus is coming. |
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| | From: Eagle | Sent: 4/14/2005 5:02 PM |
Great strength exists in the smallest things. The spider's web is so exquisitely formed, a fragile gossamer remnant. But it is stronger in proportion to size and weight than the finest steel. The hummingbird's wings send out impulses strong enough to resemble the throb of a tiny highspeed engine - but early on, it was thought that because of the way its wings were constructed it could never fly. Love can be a mere glance, di ka nv to di, a brief word, a silent touch. But it reaches past time and space and mere existence. Prayer, short, deep - a word from the depth of heart and spirit can work miracles and change a whole world.
~ There is something that whispers to me....to listen to offers of peace. ~
My prayer has wings, it flies to the Heavens
on the wings of the Dove
With MSN Hotmail, you get powerful spam filters and enhanced virus scanning & cleaning. |
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I will extend peace like a river
Isaiah 66:12
A person who truly knows God reflects God's life in his or her behavior.
Those who worship God will be a partaker in that which He reveals and so promises
We likewise experience the consequences of our complete reliance on Him.
God calls us today to reflect His righteous life in all our relationships.
This can happen only as we live in submission in our relationship to God with our will totally surrendered to the Holy Spirit thereby releasing His life to be immersed into every aspect of our inner being
Great peace have they who respond to your love and partake of the treasures of truth
Peace transpires when we choose to be still thereby being sensitive to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
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