Peace

Peace. What does it mean to have peace? The quote from St. Francis de Sales, “Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace, for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset” reminds me to slow down before becoming anxious when a cross that I am to carry comes my way, or when a million things require my attention.

How do we stop the thoughts that come our way in the moments of anxiety, mistrust, perhaps even anger? We simply stop, breathe, and look up to the Father in Heaven. We ask Him for clarity to still our minds before becoming so obsessed in the moment. Surrendering our thoughts is never easy, but that is what Humility calls for; it calls for a surrendering of ourselves so that God can create in us a moral and spiritual life. We can never attain this on our own. He is wonderful; He allows us to feel him in scripture and through others who help guide us back to God in these moments of restlessness.

The words in The Angelus help slow the mind down to the wonderful moment of a miracle, humility and truth this wonderful prayer serves as a reminder – to surrender as Mary did to the Holy Spirit: The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary … Hail Mary … Behold the handmaid of the Lord; Be it done unto me according to Thy word … Hail Mary … And the Word was made Flesh: and dwelt among us … Hail Mary … when we surrender ourselves we too allow the Holy Spirit to make the Word who is Christ Jesus live in us.

So today, on this Saturday full of errands and a to do list, or perhaps you’re in a place where you wish you weren’t… take time to stop and reflect on the words “Be it done unto me according to Thy Word.” Let the Lord rest upon your heart today, slow down, and look up at the beautiful sky. No matter what cross you are carrying at this moment, remember you come from a God who loves you and has CALLED you by name!! He is your strength when you become restless.

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray, pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may be His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. <