The Word On Sunday: Advent thought

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT....

////// ////// ////// “ THE PEACE OF THE RESURRECTION” //// //// ///// ///// “The Church was at peace.” —Acts 9:31 ///// When the risen Jesus met the women leaving the tomb, He gave the customary Jewish greeting, “Shalom” (Peace) (Mt 28:9). When the risen Jesus met the apostles on the first Resurrection evening, He again said “Shalom” (Peace) (Jn 20:19, 21). Likewise, Jesus wants to give us peace for an Easter present. Jesus left us peace in His last will and testament. He promised: “ ‘Peace’ is My farewell to you, My peace is My gift to you; I do not give it to you as the world gives peace” (Jn 14:27). His peace is not based on circumstances. His peace can be present even at the funeral home or hospital, in divorce or rejection, and in painful suffering. Jesus wants us to be “at peace before Him no matter what our consciences may charge us with” (1 Jn 3:19-20). Even if we still feel guilty after confessing our sins because of a scrupulous conscience, Jesus will give us a peace we never dreamed possible, a peace “beyond all understanding” (Phil 4:7). Jesus is our Peace (Eph 2:14). When we surrender to Him by doing His will instead of ours (see Mt 26:39), we make peace. When we surrender in the “battle of wills” between the Lord’s will and ours, we win peace. Win peace, make peace, surrender to Jesus Who is our Peace. ///// PRAYER: Father, may I be a peacemaker (see Mt 5:9) by denying myself and obeying You. ///// PROMISE: “I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who lives in Me and I in him, will produce abundantly, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” —Jn 15:5 ///// PRAISE: Praise You, risen Jesus, Victor over death. “All the families of the nations shall bow down before” You (Ps 22:28). ///// /////// /////// (From a reflection by a member of the editorial team of the late Fr Al Lauer's Presentation Ministries) ///////

THIS MONTH'S POPE VIDEO... (click image below to see video)

IN UNION WITH THE POPE AND THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH - let us pray for the Pope's Intentions for this month of APRIL ----- ------ ------- Many women are treated as “something to get rid of.” “There are countries where women are forbidden to access aid, open a business, or go to school.” Did you know this is still happening in the 21st century? It’s time to act! In a new Pope Video intention, produced by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, Pope Francis emphasizes the importance that “governments need to commit to eliminate discriminatory laws everywhere and to work toward guaranteeing women’s human rights.” 🙏 Let us pray together “that the dignity and worth of women be recognized in every culture, and for an end to the discrimination they face.