PEACE is Loving One Another

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, March 15, 2016

 

PEACE is Loving One Another

Today is another day at St. Viator’s High School in Arlington Heights. A continuation of my Pursuing PEACE Project (#PursuePEACE). Their principal, Fr. Corey Brost, gave me the opportunity to hang out in the lunch room and talk briefly with anyone who came up to the table I had set up on one side of the large room.

Today, both personal definitions are all about loving one another. Each personal definition of PEACE reflects love in a slightly different way. As I have said before, fascinating!

Danielle’s definition: “PEACE is no conflict … just loving one another, understanding one another, and being there for one another when we need it.”

As I watched Danielle write out this well-thought-out definition, I told her what I thought. As she finished up writing, she reflected thoughtfully, “No conflict. Just—no conflict.” She paused, and then said with certainty, “Being there for one another, no matter what.”

Sarah’s definition: “PEACE is always loving your neighbor as yourself, and living in harmony with others.”

When asked to talk further about her definition, Sarah said, “Treat others as you want to be treated. And, be a friend to others when they need it.”

As I see it, love is a foundational aspect of PEACE, in an outward sense. How do we get along with others? How do each of us—as individuals—encourage PEACE in our interactions with family and friends, as well as strangers and even enemies? We love one another. We try to understand each other. As far as each of us is able, we try our very best to live in harmony with each other person we encounter.

Wow! Great way to articulate it, ladies. Thanks so much.

Although stated as a paraphrase, most of these words came from our Lord Jesus. (No wonder it’s excellent advice!) Dear Lord, help me to follow this excellent advice.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

(Gggrrrrr!!! I have been fiddling with the two images for some time. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get them horizontal. Sorry, Danielle! Sorry, Sarah! And, sorry for yesterday’s photo, Maddie! I’ll try to get them straightened out, tomorrow.)

Life-Giving Spirit? To This Mortal Body?

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Life-Giving Spirit? To This Mortal Body?

I really like the Apostle Paul. I have, for several decades. Even though he has complex, even difficult-to-unravel sentences in most of his letters in the New Testament, I still enjoy his deep thoughts and his logical, step-by-step thought-progressions. Except—not so much, now. I mean, I still appreciate his deep thoughts, but they are not exciting me quite as much as they did in the past.

Right now, I find I crave the simplicity of the Apostle John. How he could frame such profound thoughts using such spare vocabulary (especially in his letters) is remarkably stunning. Then, too, I find myself turning to the stark, almost journalist-style of Mark. (“Just the facts, ma’am.”) These two New Testament authors are my current faves (to borrow the vocabulary of my college-age daughter’s acquaintances).

However . . . the liturgical lectionary prayer book has listed a reading from Romans 8 for today. Back to Romans for me, I fear. Away from John, and back to the complex sentence structure of chapter 8, verses 1 through 11.

All right, Lord. I really, earnestly am trying to find what riches You have for me in this passage today. I am drawn to verses 10 and 11. The Holy Spirit as a Life-giver? That resonates with me, deeply. Yes. Today is also Earth Day, a day when a large part of the western world is celebrating the Life-giving nature of our planet. In Genesis 1, the Holy Spirit, the Ruach ha kodesh was hovering over the waters. Breathing life into the world as that Life-giving breath/wind/spirit, so foundational to all created beings.

How much more simple can we get? The Spirit of God long ago moving, hovering over creation. The Spirit of God, breathing life into this mortal, sinful body. These mortal, sinful bodies. Through the power of God Almighty, the power that raised Jesus from the dead, that same power is also giving life to me. To us. Can Paul get any more profound and basic than that? I think not.

I need to pray. Dear Lord, gracious God, all I can say is thank You. Thank You for everything. I fall on my face before Your awesome power and majesty. Dear Holy Spirit, thank You for breathing life into the world, and for breathing life into me. Into us. Thank You. Alleluia. Amen. Praise God.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And read #40acts sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .