“Peace be to this household.” This is the greeting Jesus calls the 72 he sent out to extend to others in our gospel. WE ARE THE 72! You and I as followers of Christ through our baptism and confirmation. St. Paul wishes “peace and mercy” to all who follow his instruction to boast only in the cross of Christ. We do this when we work with the will of God. Throughout our Liturgy of the Mass we pray for peace, hear continually about peace, extend a sign of peace to one another, and remove the biggest enemy of peace – sin itself – in the very sacrifice of the mass and celebration of the Eucharist. For Christ himself is the source of all peace. Not just peace from war, but comfort and security, kindness and mercy, peace which fosters generosity, cooperation, joy and hope.
As Vincentians, we are called to bring this peace in a special way to our neighbors in need AND to one another. Do I bring comfort and hope to those I minister to? Do I participate in the friendship and community of my Vincentian family, through the actions I take and the attitudes I have? Do I nourish myself from the source of all peace frequently, that His peace might flow into my heart and through me out to others?
Lord Jesus, you are my peace! Help me to boast only in your cross. Help me to embrace your cross with passion and zeal. Help me to be an instrument of your peace, bringing comfort, mercy and hope to all I encounter. Help me to embrace and reflect a spirit of friendship within my Vincentian family that I may be a conduit of your peace. In humility, help me to always seek only your will that I might follow that will with zeal and passion. I pray all of this in your name. Amen
Deacon Mike