Welcome the peace of Christ in your heart

Welcome the peace of Christ in your heart

By Sr. Priscilla Aliu, SNDdeN

“And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together in one body. Always be thankful.

 Let the Word of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God...” (Colossians 3:15-16).

We need peace in our day. Our hearts are aching, our ears are itching and our eyes are blinking with the pains and concerns in human history today. While other wars range on, the world is thankful for the Gaza peace deal that is ongoing. Beyond the external circumstances unsettling peace in the world, many face the inner struggles for meaning and identity in a world where values and morality are fast eroding. The restlessness in humanity is indicative of how far we are from the vision of God for peace in the world.

Even before creation, God has put in place the plan to help humanity strive beyond all odds. God gave us his Word and his Son, Jesus to reveal the whole truth about the nature of human life on earth. God knows that the world can not offer us lasting peace, true peace abides in God alone.

“I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33).

God wants us to draw closer to him through his son to have true peace. There will always be situations in the world that will cause us pains and sufferings, but God wants us to be strong and courageous because with Jesus in our lives, his Word in our hearts and his Spirit guiding us, we will certainly find the peace that is already ours in Jesus Christ.

We need to pray more, forgive more, love more, believe more and give more to foster humanity’s common good and peace. When we learn to move from selfishness to selflessness, we reflect God’s peace and love in the world. The Spirit of God knows how to resolve everything in our lives in ways that we will no longer be too threatened by the troubled waters of life.  When we realize that God is our safest anchor who speaks peace to our hearts no matter the storms, joy will always return to our hearts.  

“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Reflective Focus for the Week

How are you finding peace in your heart today? God awaits your company. Reflect on

Colossians 3:1-17, John 16:30-33, Philippians 4:1-9, Romans 15:1-15.