The Lord promised peace to his disciples, yet it was not smooth sailing for the early Church. The Acts of the Apostles is full of stories of both success and suffering, of ministry and martyrdom. The followers of Jesus faced persecutions as well as conflict from within and without. We face trials too. The world is not as it should be, and each one of us shares some responsibility for that. Our sins make the world worse in countless ways, large and small. Why shouldn’t we be troubled and afraid?
Yet, the peace of Christ was never a promise of smooth sailing nor an excuse for complacency. We can’t fix everything, but we are all called to do our part, trusting that God can use our many individual acts of fidelity to move the world in the direction he wills.
How true, Karla. We 'are' responsible for the outcome of our actions. It is time for us to turn the negativity around to positivity of the Lord. It has to start with me/us! Prayers for those celebrating and those suffering today.
I am so very GRATEFUL to God for letting Me celebrate my 63rd Birthday on 5-4-23. Thank you Heavenly Holy Spirit for putting cancer in Remission. I am in awe and forever so GRATEFUL for your Grace, Mercy and Favor, Amen.
Good morning LFF. Thank you for always being here. Thank you KARLA for writing your Wonderful words for us. It resonates with Me. On 5-7 at 11:08pm 2 of my Cousins were taken in a devastating Tragic car accident. Our Family is huge and needs plenty of Prayers please. Thank you all and You are appreciated and LOVED. May God bless us All/Everyone and All whom we Love.
Janet - this is devastating. Sending your family light during such a dark time. Thank you for sharing with us so we can keep them in our prayers.
*** Jesus specifically told His disciples that His peace is not the peace the world provides or the peace we perceive in John 14:27ab, "I leave My peace with you. I give My peace to you. I do not give it to you as the world does." *** Jesus also told the disciples not to be troubled or afraid when they did not get the peace the world provides or the peace they perceive in John 14:27c, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. And do not be afraid." *** Jesus told them the reason for their hope and peace is in John 14:28a, "You heard me say, ‘I am going away. And I am coming back to you.’" ******* Not until Jesus comes back, there is no permanent peace the world can provide us!!! *** John 16:33, "I (Jesus) have told you these things (See John 16:32), so that you can have peace because of Me. In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world.” ***2 Corinthians 13:11, "Finally, brothers and sisters, be joyful! Work to make things right with one another. Help one another and agree with one another. Live in peace. And the God Who gives love and peace will be with you." *** As I was preparing for our BSF year end sharing this morning with the leaders (47 of us) and tomorrow with the class members (250 of us), I remember learning from the Holy Spirit through the middle school students in one of the BSF lessons pointing me right back to Jesus no matter what the situation or question, * "Unscramble the main truth: of, judgement, requires, righteousness, God's, sin!" * Leaders guide's answer, "God's righteousness requires judgement of sin!" * Middle school student's answer, "God's judgement of sin requires righteousness!" ******* Definitely not my righteousness but Jesus' righteousness!!! Thanks be to God :-)
Thank you for an inspiring reflection this morning, Karla.
Many years ago, as a young girl of 12 years of age, I was at mass praying for peace in my family and in my heart. As I prayed after receiving Holy Communion I suddenly heard these words deep within me, “Peace I give to you, my peace I leave with you.” I remember it brought tears to my eyes. Within a matter of two years my life had changed. My family had moved and things were much better. I made good friends that I still have today, after almost 70 years. Along the way I came to understand that on that day many years ago, I had been filled with the Holy Spirit and in spite of life’s ups and downs, He has been true to His word.
Karla, I love this. What a great reminder that peace and easy are not synonyms. Life will always hand us challenges and God helps us to find peace in those turbulent times. God helps us to discern and act on the next right thing to do and feel confident that God will be with us on the journey. Continued prayers for Sophia and her family and blessings to Cheryl!
Continued prayers for the Ukraine. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Ukraine. Please protect and send aid to those in Ukraine and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace – we who are working towards it and for all who are in danger from this conflict. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen
Good morning LFF...thank you Karla...perfect refection for me today....as I turn 57 today, I give absolute thanks and praise to our Heavenly Father who has brought me thus far through my successes and ups and downs...I thank him for taking care of my children and family....I thank him for my job and beautiful , supportive co workers, for giving me my LFF, who lifts me up day in day out...I love you Lord with all my heart...
Thank you all for your birthday wishes...I feel so happy, blessed and at peace today..I did a lunch for my 35 members of staff...they all pitched in and managed all the arrangements as its one of our busiest days....some prayed with me and I will most definitely take a read of 4th Quarter
Happy birthday to you! I turned 57 in January.
Happy Birthday, Cheryl! Wishing you many blessings and a day filled with Love and Happy Times!!!
Happy Birthday Cheryl. Prayers and blessings for a beautiful day.
Cheryl happy birthday make the Lord bless you and yours. I will pray for you this morning at Mass. Living faith family thank you for keeping Carl and Sophia in your prayers. Ken
Cheryl - happy birthday!!!! I will be 57 this summer, too!!! We are so happy to have you be a part of the community. Grateful for your wisdom and big heart. I hope your day is amazing. I also have the fourth quarter book and haven’t read it yet, but looking forward to it. Carpe Diem.
Thank you for the information on the book, I was just getting ready to look it up. I am 63 and interested. I love Matthew Kelly so I'm sure this book will be inspirational.
Happy Birthday Blessings!! You are at the right age to read "The Fourth Quarter of Your Life". A marvelous book by Allen Hunt & Matthew Kelly.
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Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. My Jesus thank You for peace. Thank you for helping me through the troubling waters of my life and showing me peace. I love You so much. Amen in Jesus Name Amen